airbnb business trip

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Many travelers book with Airbnb to save on lodging for personal and leisure trips, but it’s equally convenient to use Airbnb for Work. It encourages stronger company culture through team building, local experiences and increased collaboration when traveling — all while saving about 50% on expenses. 

These days, some 700,000 businesses use Airbnb for Work to book spaces. In this guide, we’ll show you how find them, how the program works and why it might be a fit for your company’s travel style.

And although Airbnb doesn’t have a loyalty program, you can earn miles, points or cash back by paying with  the best small business credit cards .

Let’s take a look.

Overview:  What’s Airbnb for Work?

Airbnb for Work  is a dashboard designed for small business travel. It’s a simple but powerful interface that addresses difficulties in booking traditional lodging for teams.

When you sign up as a business, you’ll have access to travel reports, invoices and expense reports. You can even set limits on how much an employee can spend per night — right down to custom limits for specific cities. You can set the maximum at, say, $75 a night in Kansas City and $150 a night in New York or San Francisco.

You’ll save money by not having to pay for multiple rooms as you would with hotels. Instead, you can book a big place with several rooms for one nightly price — which on average is 50% cheaper. Most rentals come with a kitchen, work spaces and a living room, so you’ll also save on eating out and paying for multiple Wi-Fi passes.

Plus, everyone will have their own room for work and sleep and be more available for team meetings, brainstorming sessions and social gatherings.

Many Fortune 500 companies, like Domino’s, Hyundai and PayPal, use Airbnb for Work for team lodging. Airbnb locations are in ~200 countries around the world.

And you can also book a cottage, cabin or castle just to get away for a while.

Advantages of Airbnb for Work

1.  you can save nearly 50% compared to hotels.

In addition to making it easier to book team travel, Airbnb for Work can also save a lot of money. Airbnbs for teams are 49% cheaper on average for travel within the U.S. and can save even more on international lodgings.

Which makes sense because booking multiple hotel rooms can get expensive quickly.  If you can book one place with extra bedrooms, you’re only paying one total cost per night.

2.  Airbnb encourages team building and collaboration

The other advantage to Airbnb for Work is the opportunity to have your team in the same place, but with enough privacy so everyone has their own space.

When you can hang out in the living room, instead of a hotel lobby, your team can bond faster with fewer distractions. And having a full kitchen for meal preparation encourages folks to spend more time in shared spaces.

Plus, you can book  Airbnb Experiences  to arrange shared activities off-site, like sailing, pastry-making classes, a canoe trip and much more.

3.  Airbnb for Work offers a corporate dashboard for travel management

Airbnb knows business travelers need easy ways to book and pay for their stays, keep track of employee spending and generate invoices. The Airbnb for Work dashboard accomplishes this.

The Corporate Dashboard allows you to easily reserve stays for your team, so there’s no need for your employees to book their own reservation. You’re also able to directly reimburse your employees for their paid stays and pay any outstanding invoices related to the stay.

We’ll talk about the dashboard more in a moment.

4.  Airbnb for Work is great for long-term projects or employee relocation

Instead of bland corporate housing, Airbnb for Work can provide long-term accommodations for big projects or employee relocation. In fact, you can usually save even more for a longer booking.

Airbnb offers travelers certain amenities that most hotels simply do not. You’ll have an entire house/apartment to yourself and a full kitchen that’s a welcome convenience for folks who don’t want to eat at a restaurant every day.

5.  Airbnb for Work’s standards and host expectations

Airbnb requires hosts to meet certain standards before their listing will appear as work-ready. Hosts have to ensure:

• Guaranteed constant Wi-Fi
• Laptop-friendly work spaces
• Travel essentials like basic toiletries, iron, hair dryer, and hangers
• Self check-in with a keypad code or lock box
• Flexible and/or free cancellations

In addition to these requirements, each work-friendly listing must have at least an average 4.8 rating (out of 5) and at least five reviews.

Metrics are updated constantly. If a listing fails to meet expectations or falls below standards, it will no longer appear in business travel searches.

How to use Airbnb for Work

To get started, navigate to the Airbnb for Work  website  and click “Sign up.” You’ll have to use a work email, or an email separate from your personal Airbnb account.

You’ll get a verification email with a link to click to confirm it’s the correct email address.

Afterward, you can access and set up your dashboard.

Here, you can:

• Invite employees to book stays through your company’s portal
• Add a company credit card
• Generate invoices
• Track team spending

You can also add employees to groups and designate other admins to approve company travel, if you have a lot of employees.

You can also opt to receive alerts if a stay exceeds a nightly rate. And you can set limits for any specific city, say, $120 for Chicago or $150 for New York City.

This is a useful feature for giving employees more wiggle room in expensive markets. Or making sure they don’t spend too much in cheaper locations.

After you’ve set up your dashboard, you can invite your team members to join. From there, they can start booking their trips any time they log in with their company email address.

Trips will show up automatically in the “Reporting” section of your dashboard. And you can see who booked the trip, where they went, dates of the stay and how much it cost.

The dashboard is laid out simply and easy to use. The advantage of using it is to have everything in one place instead of waiting for each employee to submit expense reports and invoices. Plus, you can add a company credit card so they won’t have to use their own payment methods, which is another way to track spending.

Important considerations

Airbnb for Work is best for business travel involving small groups. If you have 2,000+ employees and want to organize a conference or meeting, you’d definitely want to look elsewhere for that kind of space.

Also, Airbnb isn’t subject to the same safety controls as major hotels, like marked exits, ADA compliance and sprinklers in every room in case of a fire. You’re often staying in a home intended for residential, not commercial, use. Although that provides “homey” space, you might need something with a ramp and an elevator or other special features.

And beware of cancellations. Things can (and do) happen — the heat goes out in winter or a pipe bursts. The landlord can’t move you to another room like in a regular hotel. If there’s a last-monute disaster, it could throw your plans into turmoil, although I’ve personally found Airbnb to be fast and accommodating in the case of emergencies like this.

This can happen in a regular hotel too, of course. For example, when I showed up to a Marriott hotel in Orlando, they told me the water was out on the entire floor — and sent me to another hotel across the street. Or you might arrive at a hotel to find a broken elevator, noisy guests next to your room or loud construction right outside your window (all of these have happened to me).

And hotels undergo frequent renovations. When I arrived at my Hyatt hotel in New Mexico, we had to walk around the entire building to check in because the lobby was closed. So being flexible is important when you travel, not just with Airbnb.

Finally, consider that some communities aren’t welcoming  of Airbnbs and their a constant rotation of new guests. You might experience hostility from neighbors.

If you have any safety concerns, be sure to ask your host. And always trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t question it — just walk away.

Again, that applies to every travel experience. Just know what you’re getting into as much as you can before you show up. Safety first, always.

There’s no loyalty program, but you can still save with the best business credit cards

An Airbnb loyalty program is rumored to be in the works, but until it arrives,  applying for a small-business credit card  allows you to earn valuable welcome bonuses and miles and points on your Airbnb business travel.

Our favorite cards include:

• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card – Best business card overall
• Ink Business Cash Credit Card – Best business card with no annual fee
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express– Best business card for travel and airport lounge access

Check out  the full list of small-business cards . They’re our ticket to award travel — which includes cheap stays through Airbnb, even for business travel.

Bottom line

Airbnb for Work is an easy way to manage team travel, save money on lodging and bring colleagues closer together for team building and collaboration. On average, it’s 49% cheaper within the U.S. to book an Airbnb instead of a traditional hotel.

The dashboard is simple to use and offers organizational features to keep everything in one central hub. When you book through Airbnb for Work, you can expect to find fast Wi-Fi, self check-in, toiletries and flexible cancellation policies.

Airbnbs are usually reliable, but stay flexible in case your host has to cancel because of an emergency or another sudden issue. And it’s not the best option for huge corporations. The ideal client here is a small business team or a solo traveler.

Until Airbnb creates a loyalty program, you can use  the best business credit cards  to earn miles, points and valuable welcome bonuses when you travel.

It’s a viable and money-saving alternative to hotels, especially if you usually book several rooms for your team. In fact, some folks prefer it.

Have you used Airbnb for Work during your business travels? Let us know how it’s helped you and your team.

Meghan Hunter

Contributor

Meghan Hunter is an editor for Million Mile Secrets. She covers points, miles, credit cards, airlines, hotels and general travel. Her work has also appeared in The Points Guy.

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How to use Airbnb for corporate travel - A quick guide

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• Airbnb rentals are typically more suitable for trips that are over a week in length.
• Hosts offer discounts on weekly and monthly bookings.
• Ideal for relocators or longer itineraries where travelers would appreciate facilities like washing machines and kitchens.
• Better for groups of business travelers.
• Safety concerns and more remote locations could make Airbnb rentals unsuitable for solo travelers.
• Airbnb rentals are great bases for new starters who have relocated.
• Can serve as inspiring backdrops for corporate getaways, allowing teams to reconnect and have creative brainstorming sessions in a new location.
• It is less suitable for short trips as their location tends to be away from business districts.
• Business travelers might prefer to stay in a hotel where they can benefit from housekeeping, gym facilities, and room service.

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Booking business travel and events

Marking a booking as a business trip, adding business travel details to a trip, how to use business travel if your company isn’t enrolled in airbnb for work, joining your company’s airbnb for work account, booking your business travel, booking an experience for your team, related topics.

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Unlocking the Business Travel Scene with Airbnb: Your Essential Guide for 2023

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I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.

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Business travel can be both exciting and challenging. From finding the right accommodation to managing expenses, there are many factors to consider when planning a business trip. In recent years, Airbnb has emerged as a popular option for business travellers. In this blog, we'll explore the benefits of using Airbnb for business travel and how to make the most of the platform when planning your next trip.

Table of Contents

Why Use Airbnb for Business Travel?

• Cost-Effective: One of the main reasons business travellers opt for Airbnb is the cost savings. In many cases, renting a room or an entire apartment through Airbnb can be significantly cheaper than booking a hotel room. This can be especially beneficial for companies looking to cut costs on travel expenses. Additionally, many Airbnb properties come with amenities such as a kitchen and laundry facilities, which can save money on meals and laundry service costs.
• Flexibility: Airbnb offers a wide range of accommodation options, from private rooms to entire apartments. This flexibility allows business travellers to choose the type of accommodation that best suits their needs. For example, if you're traveling alone, a private room may be the best option. But if you're traveling with a team, an entire apartment may be more suitable.
• Local Experience: Staying in a hotel can be a bit isolating, but with Airbnb, you have the opportunity to experience the local culture and neighbourhood. Many Airbnb hosts are happy to share their local knowledge and recommendations, which can make your business trip more enjoyable and productive. Airbnb properties are often located in residential areas, providing business travelers with the opportunity to experience the local culture and neighborhood. This can be a great way to gain a more authentic and immersive experience while on a business trip, and many hosts are happy to provide local tips and recommendations.
• Amenities: Airbnb properties often come with amenities such as a kitchen and laundry facilities, which can be very convenient for business travellers. Having access to a kitchen allows you to prepare your own meals, which can be a great way to save money. And the ability to do your own laundry can be a real lifesaver on longer trips.  

How to Make the Most of Airbnb for Business Travel?

• Research: Before booking your accommodation, take the time to research different properties and read reviews from previous guests. This will help you find a property that meets your needs and has a good reputation.
• Communicate with your host: Before your trip, reach out to your host and let them know what you need. For example, if you need to check in early or need a quiet place to work, let them know. This will help ensure that your stay is as comfortable as possible.
• Take advantage of the app's features: The Airbnb app has a number of features that can make your business trip more efficient. For example, the "Notes" feature allows you to leave important information for your host, such as your arrival time or any special requests. And the "Messages" feature allows you to easily communicate with your host throughout your stay.
• Manage your expenses: Keep track of your expenses by saving your receipts and taking note of any additional costs, such as cleaning fees or extra guests. This will make it easier to manage your expenses and submit your travel expenses report when you return.
• Safety and security: It's important to ensure your safety and security during your stay. Research the neighbourhood, check the property's security features and make sure you have a way to contact the host or Airbnb support in case of an emergency.
• Business travel policies: Some companies have policies in place for their employees' business travel. Before booking your accommodation, make sure you are aware of your company's policies, and if necessary, get approval from your employer.
• How to handle last-minute changes: Business travel can be unpredictable and plans may change last-minute, it's important to have a plan in case of any changes. Airbnb's flexible cancellation policy can help in this situation, but it's always a good idea to have a backup plan in case of any unexpected changes.

How to Choose the Right Airbnb Property

• Location: When choosing a property, consider the location and its proximity to your business meetings or events. It's best to choose a property that's in a safe and convenient location, close to public transportation or within walking distance to your destination.
• Space: Consider the size of the property and the number of guests it can accommodate. For business trips, it's often best to choose a property that offers separate sleeping and living areas, as well as a workspace.
• Amenities: Check the property's amenities and make sure they meet your needs. For example, if you need a property with a kitchen or laundry facilities, look for properties that have these amenities.
• Reviews: Read reviews from previous guests to get an idea of what to expect from the property and the host. Pay attention to comments about the cleanliness, communication, and location of the property.

Making the most of your stay

Even if you are traveling for a short duration, you need to make the most of your trip. Here are three ways you can achieve that:

• Utilise the space: Make use of the property's amenities to make your stay more comfortable. For example, if the property has a kitchen, prepare your own meals to save money. And if it has laundry facilities, take advantage of them to keep your clothes clean and fresh.
• Take advantage of the host's local knowledge: Your host can be a great resource for information about the local area. Ask them for recommendations on restaurants, transportation, and things to do.
• Stay organised: Keep your business documents and travel itinerary organised and easily accessible. This will help you stay on top of your schedule and be more productive during your stay.

Tips for having a successful business trip with Airbnb

• Be prepared : Before your trip, make sure you have all the necessary information and documents, such as your business cards, travel itinerary, and contact information for your host.
• Communicate with your host: Reach out to your host before your trip to discuss your needs and any special requests. This will help ensure that your stay is as comfortable and productive as possible.
• Set boundaries : If you need a quiet place to work, let your host know. If you need privacy, let them know that too.
• Pack smartly: Pack what you need for your business trip, but also pack what you will need to make your stay comfortable.

How to handle issues or complications during your stay?

Complications can arise during any part of your trip, so you need to make sure you are at the top of your game. 

• Contact your host: If you encounter any issues or complications during your stay, reach out to your host. They will be able to help you resolve any problems and ensure that your stay is as comfortable as possible.
• Contact Airbnb support : If your host is unable to help, or if the issue is serious, contact Airbnb support. They will be able to provide assistance and help you find a solution.

How to optimise your business travel budget with Airbnb?

• Compare prices: Compare prices of Airbnb properties with hotels and other accommodation options to ensure you're getting the best deal.
• Book in advance: Book your accommodation well in advance to take advantage of early bird discounts and lower prices.
• Choose shared accommodation: If you're traveling alone, consider booking a shared room instead of a private room or entire apartment. This can be a great way to save money.
• Use the app's features: Take advantage of the app's features, such as "notes" and "messages", to communicate with your host and manage your expenses.

Airbnb has become a popular choice for business travellers due to its cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and local experience. By taking the time to research properties, communicate with your host, take advantage of the app's features, and manage your expenses, you can make the most of your business trip with Airbnb. 

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Signing your company up to Airbnb for Work

Joining Airbnb for Work makes it easy to book and manage company travel, with access to listings around the world for short or extended business travel. If you manage your employer’s travel or human resources department, you can enrol your company in Airbnb for Work.

Enrol your company

First, fill in the contact form . Our team will determine if your company qualifies for a corporate account.

Set up your company's account

Next, you’ll need to confirm your email address. When you do, you’ll get access to the Airbnb for Work dashboard where you can:

• Invite your employees to the Airbnb for Work programme.
• Add your company’s credit card. This gives your colleagues an easy way to pay for any work trips they book on Airbnb.

Use an existing Airbnb account to manage your company’s travel

You can access your Airbnb for Work dashboard with an existing Airbnb account. Invite employees, check upcoming and active trips, review itineraries and more.

Add colleagues to your company's account

Your unique Airbnb for Work invite page makes it easy for you to invite your employees . After they sign up, they can book places to stay for work trips.

Add an admin or trip planner

Once your employee accepts the invitation and is on board, you can change their role and give them more responsibilities, such as making them an admin or a trip planner.

Related articles

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Airbnb Business Travel: 10 of the Best Airbnbs for Work Travelers

Change up how you travel for work with these comfortable and practical Airbnb business travel homes for road warriors.

Airbnb has long since proven itself in the travel industry, but how about in the work trip niche? Is Airbnb business travel actually a thing, or are these types of accommodations most successful for leisure vacations?

Well, we’re certainly of the opinion that Airbnb is perfect for road warriors . The atmosphere and amenities – everything from cozy home touches to extra perks like kitchen access or workspaces – will completely alter how you travel for work. Once you start booking Airbnbs, you’ll wonder how you survived living in monotonous hotels rooms and dining out for every meal.

But don’t just take our word for it! We’ll let the following Airbnbs speak for themselves. From competitive prices to continuous Wifi, you’ll be glad you stayed here instead of yet another hotel.

It’s called the “writer’s lair,” but this studio is perfect for any road warrior that needs to stay focused. Compactly designed and in a central location, it’s a practical and quaint choice for an agenda-driven work traveler.

Quick Highlights

• Atmosphere : Historic charm
• Privacy : Whole place to yourself
• Kitchen : Yes!
• Workspace : Yes!
• Continuous Wifi : Yes!
• Free Cancellation : Up to 5 days before check-in
• View the complete listing here .

If your work is taking you to Manhattan, the colorful couches and pillows of this downtown loft create the ideal setting for powering down at the end of the day. When you’re ready to tackle your to-do list, a minimalist desk with window views will provide a productive workspace.

• Atmosphere : Cheerfully modern
• Free Cancellation * : Up to 5 days before check-in

This Brooklyn studio’s exposed brick and sleek decor will make your Instagram followers envious of your road warrior lifestyle. Kick off every morning with free breakfast on the balcony or rooftop deck, a wake-up that’s sure to put you in positive spirits for a busy day.

• Atmosphere : Effortlessly cool

Atlanta’s convention center, the GWCC, is a popular site for conferences and events, and this delightful apartment is within walking distance. Plus, fit-conscious road warriors will appreciate having access to gym facilities and a pool.

• Atmosphere : Homely comfort
• Privacy : Your own room and bathroom

• Atmosphere : Relaxed chic
• Privacy : Lockable room and your own bathroom
• Free Cancellation : Up to 24 hours before check-in

• Atmosphere : Southern charm

Los Angeles

Free parking in the heart of L.A.? Sign us up! If you’re not renting a car to attend to your work responsibilities, you’ll enjoy having easy access to everything that the surrounding Los Feliz neighborhood has to offer.

• Atmosphere : SoCal sunny

San Francisco

While it’s a bit out of town, this room in the City by the Bay does come with a garage space. The warm decor makes for a peaceful place to retire after you’ve fulfilled your work duties, and the neighborhood is delightful for catching an early morning or late evening jog.

• Atmosphere : Tranquil retreat

Places like this are what Airbnb is all about. This quirky arrangement in an urban neighborhood will be a far cry from your stiff hotel days. Don’t be fooled by the word “hut” in the listing title – your little space comes with a comfy bed, private bathroom, workspace, and some dining amenities.

• Atmosphere : City hideout
• Privacy : Your own ~hut~
• Kitchen : Limited facilities – includes a fridge, microwave, tableware, and coffee maker

You live in Seattle now. This airy apartment dotted with vibrant touches is a dream retreat. With extra sleeping space in the living room, this could be the perfect Airbnb for a bleisure trip .

• Atmosphere : Insta-worthy

Don’t see the Airbnb business travel home that you’re looking for? Try  filtering by work trips on your next search.

*Though the host may refund you entirely if you cancel within a certain timeframe, Airbnb doesn’t always refund their service fees .

Business Travel Life

Business Travel Life is an online resource supporting the road warrior lifestyle. We give business travelers the tools they need to maintain their wellness and productivity when traveling. The topics we cover include business travel tips, travel workouts, healthy travel hacks, travel products, general travel tips, and industry trends. Our goal is to make business travel a healthier experience – and to make healthy travel practices more accessible to all road warriors.

Mellisa Pascale

Mellisa is a writer and traveler. She’s studied in London, backpacked in Europe, and road-tripped around Iceland. Most recently, her travels took her to New Zealand, where she worked and volunteered while participating in the Working Holiday Visa program.

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Get your Airbnb ‘Business Travel Ready’

Business travel is one of Airbnb’s major growth areas and as an Airbnb host, the business market is a lucrative one to tap into.

But why? The potential for long-term bookings and higher rates are just a couple of reasons why hosts are aiming it. GuestReady guides you.

Why business travellers for your Airbnb?

Airbnb’s Jonathan Liebtag commented on the massive business market for the company, saying Airbnb is “up to 30%” cheaper than booking hotels.

Business is a define growth area; even business guests want more unique and spacious accommodation for their trips now and the savings for the companies paying are also compelling.

Business travellers are looking for a new approach to travel; they no longer want to on their own in a cookie-cutter hotel room, they want the opportunity to immerse themselves in the area they are travelling to fully.

They usually stay longer

Business guests usually stay longer – so instead of a weekend break – it’s more likely to be for the week. This is a major benefit for Airbnb hosts , meaning less work on their side and having more long-term stays makes organisation and transactions smoother and more seamless. Being Business Travel Ready as a host is key for these bookings.

Businesses will book regardless of higher rates

Business guests usually have bigger budgets than your average traveller as they are using company dollars.

So if you are finding it hard to get leisure guests during more expensive periods, then business guests won’t have the same expenditure issues – meaning you get a booking over that period anyway.

Companies are now seeing the huge savings when using Airbnb instead of hotels, especially for team travel.

[bctt tweet=”Airbnb Business guests usually have bigger budgets than the average traveller – so get your listing ‘Business Ready’!” via=”no”]

There’s likely to be less damage than leisure guests

If someone is a business guest, it’s most likely that the space will be left in better condition than most leisure guests with children or party people.

The focus is work and not play, which makes Jack a dull boy but makes an Airbnb host a happy one. It’s a win-win.

How do you attract business travelers?

How do you get your Airbnb ‘verified’ or open it for business travelers? Here’s the skinny: Business Travel Ready listings must be an entire home or apartment and the correct property type (see the list on Airbnb including houses, flats, villas, etc).

The listing must be non-smoking and there must be no pets. 

If a pet usually lives at the house, hosts must ensure it is fully cleaned before the business guest arrives, to cater to any guests sensitivities or allergies.

Every abode must have at least 3 star rated reviews and responded to 90% of booking requests within 24 hours over the last year, to be eligible for Business Travel Ready status.

They must also have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; Airbnb can provide these for free .

Other amenities that should be included for business are WiFi, a workspace, self check-in (a key lock box, keypad, smart lock or doorman), essentials such as toilet paper, clean towels and linen), hangers, a hair dryer and iron and shampoo.

In short, your listing will need:

• Wireless Internet
• A laptop-friendly workspace
• Self check-in (this includes a key lockbox, doorman, keypad, or smartlock)
• A smoke detector
• A carbon monoxide detector
• Essentials (toilet paper, clean towels, and fresh linens)
• A hair dryer

In addition to that, going the extra mile with some not-so-standard Airbnb amenities does wonders for your overall guest rating.

Cancellations

Hosts may not cancel any business reservations within 7 days and if a host breaches this rule they cannot be Business Travel Ready for year.

Does your Airbnb listing have the Business Travel Ready check-mark already?

Get help from GuestReady

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Short-Term Rentals Haven’t Fully Caught On for Business Travel, but They’re Getting There

Elizabeth Casolo , Skift

June 7th, 2024 at 10:38 AM EDT

The uptake of vacation rentals for business travel depends on proving safety and reliability to road warriors and travel managers.

Elizabeth Casolo

A number of travel management companies and corporations are starting to allow vacation rentals as accommodations, but there’s room for growth.

A recent Mastercard survey found 53% of those involved in coordinating travel say their companies allow them to book vacation rentals.

Sabre’s Global Distribution System lists over 400,000 accommodations beyond hotels. Sabre also manages corporate booking tool GetThere, meaning those going on business trips can stay in these properties.

“The interest from our agency partners on this segment has been increasing, and we have been selectively adding more supply in this category based on their needs,” a Sabre spokesperson wrote to Skift. “The booking volume compared to hotels is still low, but the growth is encouraging and is in the high double digits compared to the same timeframe last year.”

Corporate travel and technology company BizAway spotted a “noticeable trend of increasing preference for short-term rentals among travelers.” 

A desire for flexibility, which mostly started around the pandemic, has impacted office and corporate travel culture. Vacation rentals could help meet this growing demand as some travelers want to extend business trips or “work from anywhere,” said Chad Wallace, global head of commercial solutions at Mastercard. 

Skift Research surveyed over 50 business travelers who stayed in short-term rentals last year. 

Out of these guests, 58% said they are “very likely” to book another short-term rental in the next year.

The Potential Benefits: Convenience, Comfort, and Cost

Location and comfort for longer stays were the top two reasons travelers opted for a rental. 

“We see that extended stay-type hotels are really popular for travelers that are going to be staying in a location more than three or four days,” said Jamie Lane, chief economist at short-term rental analytics firm AirDNA. “And likewise, that’s why short-term rentals can be popular for business travelers. You can stock a fridge. You don’t have to have every meal out, that sort of thing — and also just having a desk.”

BizAway observed how, among its clients, retail chains sending employees to train staff at new stores have gravitated toward short-term rentals. Companies involved in machinery and construction installations do, as well, “due to the lengthy nature of their projects.”

Some short-term rentals may also be cheaper , another consideration for business travelers. 

“Now, travel managers are adjusting their policies to offer more flexible options to not only meet employee demands for more convenient travel options, but also establish cost efficiencies for the organization,” Wallace said. 

The Divide Between Companies and Travelers

While just over half of decision makers permit vacation rentals on business trips, there is a discrepancy. In that same Mastercard survey, namely 74% of corporate travelers claim their companies allow vacation rentals.

Lane guessed this discrepancy could stem from how some companies “explicitly allow” rentals, while other employers may not outline a clear policy. This data could reflect how many employees are “actually doing it.”

What’s in the Way

Safety, and being able to track employee whereabouts, is a priority.

“As it became more and more popular, companies came out with specific policies against it if they didn’t want it,” Lane said. “And a big part of the decision to not allow it was to not be able to track it.”

Companies use corporate booking tools to keep tabs on their travelers and ensure employee safety. This can prove useful during lockdowns and other events, according to Lane.

“Six in 10 companies also require travelers to comply with certain minimums: use of a booking tool, travel management company, payment card, or all three,” Wallace said. “These minimums allow companies to provide duty of care [encouraging health and safety] to travelers and control costs, allowing the expansion of vacation rental policies to coincide with duty of care responsibilities.”

A potential pitfall of some short-term rentals is reliability.

“If I’m going for a night, I’m staying in a hotel,” Lane said. Time is of the essence.

Business travelers need to know they will get a decent accommodation when booking a short-term rental.

“You’re on business — you’re in and out, you don’t have a second to spare, you can’t deal with a problem. So you need that reliability,” said Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky in a recent interview with Skift.

This can deter travelers from considering rentals. There is more unpredictability, especially with individual hosts.

“There are some additional risks that go along with booking a short-term rental, especially through an individual host — that may not exist as much with if you’re booking through a larger property manager — of what is the quality and reliability that you’re going to get,” Lane said. 

Moving Forward

Chesky emphasized Airbnb’s shift toward “higher quality listings.”

“We have Guest Favorites, which have been hugely popular — two million [of] the best-loved listings,” Chesky said. “And I think the reason I bring this up is business travelers especially have a lower tolerance for error.”

With Airbnb as the most common choice for the surveyed business travelers, the company’s growing focus on reliability is essential.

“They’re sort of trying to call out and really build a brand within Airbnb of, ‘These are the listings that you can know are going to be reliable,’ in the same way that you consider a hotel room to be reliable and not a potential risk of booking for a shorter stay,” Lane said.

The future of rentals in corporate travel hinges on more widespread acceptance by travel managers and booking platforms.

This is something Mint House , a vacation rental and apartment company, still struggles with. At the Skift Short-Term Rental Summit on Wednesday, Mint House CEO Christian Lee explained how the company engages corporate travelers.

While Mint House can stock groceries and partner with local amenities to give guests an elevated experience, Lee said travel managers still need a bit of convincing. He described the back and forth as a “hand-to-hand combat exercise.” Lee hopes legacy systems, in particular, can harness technology to ease the traveler experience going forward.

Sabre is one platform that believes it can expand these offerings even more.

“We have the ability to add more of this inventory type,” the Sabre spokesperson said. “We will be driven by the needs of our travel agency partners, which includes solving for some of the duty of care requirements.”

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Tags: airbnb , brian chesky , business travel , duty of care , gds , getthere , global distribution systems , Mastercard , mint house , per diem , sabre , short-term rentals , travel managers , vacation rentals

Photo credit: Hotels aren't the only accommodation option for business travelers. Artem Zhukov / Unsplash

A guide to the best credit cards for Airbnb stays

Home rentals are a popular alternative to hotels, and you may be considering an Airbnb for your next trip. While the topic of the best credit cards for hotel stays gets a lot of attention, it's a different matter for Airbnb stays. That's especially true when you consider that hotel chains have their own credit cards, yet Airbnb does not.

If you've decided to go the Airbnb route, which travel rewards credit card should you use to make the purchase? Let's take a closer look at your best options.

What is Airbnb?

If you're unfamiliar with Airbnb , the site offers a wide variety of lodging options when traveling. In many cases, Airbnb provides privately owned rooms, apartments, houses, boathouses and hotel rooms. They're available for both short- and long-term stays.

While prices are sometimes more affordable than equivalent hotel rooms, it should be noted that Airbnb is not exactly a hotel on a budget. There are tradeoffs: things such as room service, daily housekeeping and other full-service amenities aren't usually found. However, if you are searching for unique accommodations — or want the feeling of being in a home while away from home — Airbnb could be a good option. Groups and those traveling with others also tend to prefer Airbnb, since it's easy to reserve multi-bedroom lodging.

Beyond stays, Airbnb offers experiences. These can include tours, outdoor activities like whale watching, cooking classes or even a great photographer to snap photos for your Instagram during your next vacation.

Airbnb doesn't have a loyalty program, so the best way to make the most of these types of purchases is by using the right credit card.

Related reading: How to find the best Airbnb

Which credit card is best for Airbnb stays and experiences?

American express green card, chase sapphire reserve, chase sapphire preferred card.

• Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

You may see some familiar names among the cards listed above. That's because several of the best credit cards for Airbnb are on our list of the best credit cards for travel .

The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Earning rates on the top cards for Airbnb

A closer look at the best credit cards for airbnb.

Airbnb typically codes as "travel" on your credit card statement. This means it will trigger any bonus points or annual credits offered in the travel category . Here's a deep dive into the best cards for Airbnb.

Annual fee: $150 (see rates and fees)

Welcome offer: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership

Earning rates: You'll get 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar on restaurant purchases , 3 points per dollar on transit including ride shares, subway swipes, tolls — and most importantly for Airbnb — plus 3 points per dollar on the broad category of travel, which includes things from flights, car rentals, hotels and home shares (yes, including Airbnb). You'll earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Why we like it: Other cards, including The Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Gold Card , have more limited travel categories that don't go beyond the scope of airfare and hotels . While the Platinum card has a higher bonus earning on airfare (5 points per dollar), it only applies to airfare booked directly with airlines or through the American Express Travel Portal (and the bonus earning potential is limited to the first $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year). In the Platinum's case, you'll also get 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.

The Amex Green is the most flexible of the bunch when it comes to earning 3 Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent on Airbnb. Those 3 points equate to a 6% return based on TPG valuations . If you're flying to get to your Airbnb, you can also take advantage of an up to $189 Clear Plus annual statement credit and a $100 LoungeBuddy annual statement credit . Enrollment required for select benefits.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Green card .

Related: The best cards for airport lounge access

Annual fee: $550

Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Earning rates: Besides getting a $300 annual travel credit (that can be used toward Airbnb), you'll get 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel — after using the $300 credit — and 3 points per dollar on dining at restaurants worldwide. Other bonus categories include 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal and 5 points per dollar on flights booked in the portal. You can also earn 10 points per dollar on Chase Dining purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Why we like it: First and foremost, you get to use the card's $300 travel credit toward a broad range of travel purchases , including Airbnb. Earning 3 points per dollar on Airbnb makes this card is useful for earning maximum Ultimate Rewards on your purchases after exhausting your $300 travel credit. Those 3 points equate to a 6% return based on TPG valuations — the same as the Amex Green . Additionally, the 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points sign-up bonus is worth $1,125 based on TPG valuations.

To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Reserve .

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Related: 4 things to do once you get your Chase Sapphire Reserve

Annual fee: $95

Earning rates: You'll earn 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel — which doesn't apply to the card's $50 hotel credit , though you must use this in the Chase travel portal , so Airbnb bookings aren't eligible — and also earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchases in the Chase travel portal. You can also earn 3 points per dollar on dining , select streaming services and online grocery (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs). Through March 2025, you can also earn 5 points per dollar on Lyft rides . Cardmembers earn 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Why we like it: Firstly, the card has a low annual fee while still possessing strong earning categories. This includes a broad range of travel purchases, such as bonus points on bookings made directly with Chase or Lyft rides, as well as 2 points per dollar with Airbnb. Those 2 points provide a 4% return based on TPG valuations . Additionally, the 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points sign-up bonus is worth $1,538 based on TPG valuations.

To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred .

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred

Related: Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred is more than just a starter card

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Sign-up bonus: Earn 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening.

Earning rates: You'll earn 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on the first $150,000 of combined spend on the card each anniversary year in the following categories: shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; advertising with social media and search engines and — most importantly for this discussion — on travel.

Why we like it: This is another Chase card that earns a fantastic 3 Ultimate Rewards points on travel, including Airbnb stays. Although the huge 100,000 Ultimate Rewards sign-up bonus is a great perk, it's important to note the card's hefty initial spending requirement. While this isn't a consumer card, getting approved for a business card may be easier than you think.

To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred .

Apply here: Ink Business Preferred

Related: The best business credit cards

Annual fee: $95 (see rates and fees )

Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Earning rates: You'll earn 2 Capital One miles per dollar spent on almost everything with no annual cap, which means you're getting 3.7 cents' value (factoring in TPG's latest valuation ) every dollar in purchases.

Why we like it: The Venture card is an excellent choice for those who value a straightforward earning rate on all purchases, including vacation rental bookings and anything else you buy. In exchange for a $95 annual fee, this Capital One credit card earns you a flat 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase you make, and you can even redeem your rewards to cover your Airbnb stay at a rate of 1 cent per mile. If you decide not to use your rewards for Airbnb bookings, you can use them to cover any travel purchases made with your card in the last 90 days or transfer them to its 15+ airline and hotel transfer partners .

Plus, the card currently offers a 75,000-mile bonus offer worth $1,388, according to TPG valuations . Add in the fact that Capital One has made some exciting additions to its program, and it's no surprise that this card is still one of our favorites here at TPG.

To learn more, read our full review of the Venture .

Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards

Related: Tips and tricks to get maximum value from your Capital One miles

Annual fee: $395 (see rates and fees )

Earning rates: You'll earn 2 Capital One miles per dollar spent on almost everything with no annual cap, which means you're getting 3.7 cents' value (factoring in TPG's latest valuation ) for every dollar in purchases. You can earn at higher rates when booking in the Capital One Travel portal , including 10 miles per dollar on hotel and rental car bookings and 5 miles per dollar on flights.

Why we like it: The Venture X card offers a straightforward 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases not booked in the travel portal, which includes a pack of gum or your next Airbnb booking. You can also redeem your rewards to cover your Airbnb stay at a rate of 1 cent per mile. If you decide not to use your rewards for Airbnb bookings, you can use them to cover any travel purchases made with your card in the last 90 days or transfer them to its 18 airline and hotel transfer partners . The card also provides numerous perks, such as a $300 annual travel credit for Capital One Travel bookings, reimbursement for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee and rental car elite status.

To learn more, read our full review of the Venture X .

Learn more: Capital One Venture X

Related: 6 things to do when you get the Capital One Venture X

Annual fee: $0, but you must have an Amazon Prime membership

Sign-up bonus: $100 Amazon gift card immediately upon approval.

Earning rates: You'll get 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases and 2% back at restaurants , gas stations and local transit and commuting (including rideshare). You will earn 1% back on other purchases.

Why we like it: How does the Amazon card make our list of best cards for Airbnb? Two words: Gift cards. Airbnb gift cards are available on Amazon, and you can easily get 3% back this way. First, use this card to buy Airbnb gift cards; then, use those cards to pay for your upcoming stay. You can redeem your 3% back on cash back, gift cards or travel rewards, and it's all worth the same. Note that Airbnb restricts, in fine print, the use of gift cards for long-term stays (28+ days).

To learn more, read our full review of the Amazon Prime Visa .

Apply here: Prime Visa

Related: Best credit cards for Amazon purchases

Maximizing your next Airbnb stay

One of the most important factors in making the most of your everyday spending is choosing the best travel rewards credit card for every purchase. This isn't always an easy task, as some cards earn valuable transferable points while others give bonus points for certain categories of purchases . Deciding what is more important is a personal decision.

For any Airbnb stay, though, see if you can double dip. For instance, you can easily earn bonus points or miles with programs like British Airways Executive Club, Delta SkyMiles or Qantas Frequent Flyer by clicking through their Airbnb shopping portals , regardless of what credit card you use to book.

These cards are all great options for Airbnb, but there are many others out there. For instance, if your local grocery store also sells Airbnb gift cards, you can use a card that earns bonuses at grocery stores to maximize your purchase. The same applies to office supply stores .

Since several credit cards offer annual travel credits , consider these as well. Using these credits can be a way to offset your travel costs when staying at Airbnb, since you can't transfer your points to Airbnb for award bookings.

Bottom line

Airbnb is a great lodging option for trips, as the platform represents a nice alternative to traditional hotels. I've personally stayed in dozens of Airbnbs throughout my travels and usually favor it over a chain hotel.

In addition to the unique properties you can book, there are also some solid credit card options that allow you to earn a decent haul of points or cash back. Just remember to review each listing's cancellation policy and reviews carefully before booking.

See also: 15 tips that will help you score the perfect Airbnb every time

Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Juan Ruiz and Ryan Smith.

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Aviation safety is constantly under public scrutiny. When the door flew off a Boeing 737 in January, it made headlines for months. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill giving the Federal Aviation Administration $105 billion to hire more air traffic controllers, improve runway safety and even train flight attendants in self-defense.

Yet the safety of short-term rentals, available on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo , receives far less attention.

When a fire at an illegal Airbnb rental in Montreal killed seven people last year, it was primarily local news. Social media is filled with tips for improving the safety of a rental — such as checking for hidden cameras — yet it’s difficult to know whether these address real or imagined threats. That’s partly because no regulatory agency oversees the safety of short-term rentals.

A safety Wild West

“Imagine if Delta Air Lines said you have to bring your own oxygen tank — you’d say, 'No way, I’m not getting on there,'” says Justin Ford, the director of short-term rental safety and certification programs at Breezeway, a property operations platform for short-term rental property managers. “Yet people are saying you should bring your own carbon monoxide alarm to a rental. We, as an industry, should be embarrassed by that.”

Airbnb insists the problem is minor.

“With over 1.5 billion guest arrivals to 220 countries and regions, safety issues on Airbnb are incredibly rare,” an Airbnb spokesperson said in an email. “We are committed to helping our global community travel and host safely on the platform. We continually invest in these efforts, including through dedicated policies, resources for hosts and guests, and support like our 24-hour safety line, and we partner with experts to help inform our work.”

Yet the scope of the problem is difficult to assess. These rentals remain largely unregulated, stymying efforts to track and report incidents. And, unlike aviation safety, there is no clear party responsible for maintaining the safety of short-term rentals . Is it the hosts? Or the platform? Or local governments?

As it turns out, nobody really knows.

Slips, trips and gas leaks

The heat was off when Jack Epner checked into an Airbnb in Spain, so he messaged the host about turning it on. The host said the heater had a potential safety issue and was reluctant to turn it on due to her “fear of the house exploding.”

“Her 'solution' was to give me a giant tank of butane for my bedroom — a giant tank of flammable gas that I could smell leaking,” Epner, who is nomadic, explained in an email.

The experience soured him on the short-term rental platform.

“I simply don't want to deal with them ever again,” Epner said.

Some experts say safety issues at short-term rentals are not usually this dramatic.

Ford, the safety expert, says, “83% of issues are due to slips, trips and falls. That’s where we’re seeing the injuries happening.”

According to Ford, improper lighting, missing handrails and even area rugs can cause accidents. He says that hosts can enhance safety by improving these features in their rentals, but that the real problem lies in the lack of safety standards across the industry.

“The big challenge is that there are standards for most commercial properties, but a lot of those standards don’t extend to short-term rentals,” Ford says. He adds that this is true "in about 95% of locations."

Who’s in charge here?

Some local governments have tried to require safety inspections for short-term rentals.

The city of Portland, Oregon, requires basic safety requirements for rentals, such as a working smoke detector and bedrooms that are up to code. Yet, as part of the city’s struggles to enforce its short-term rental regulations , it has inspected only 14 properties since 2019.

“Resources and permit fee costs act as inspection limitations,” Robert B. Layne II, senior communication coordinator for the city of Portland’s Bureau of Development Services, said in an email, explaining why so few properties have received these basic safety checks. The fees for registering a property would have to be drastically increased to cover inspection costs.

And while short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo offer safety guidelines for hosts, they have shied away from mandating inspections.

“Airbnb banned cameras in their properties,” Ford says. “Why can they do that but not require a deck inspection? They’re being selective in what they do.”

It’s a game of kick the can involving safety, with nobody — hosts, platforms or local governments — taking full responsibility. Ford says another group may need to step up to improve guest safety.

“The insurance companies need to stand up more and demand changes,” Ford says, suggesting that short-term rentals are getting harder to insure and that safety inspections could impact hosts’ bottom line if insurers demand them.

How to stay safe

Airbnb and Vrbo show which safety features, including carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers, are included in each property. Safety-minded guests can filter results by those that contain these features.

Guests should remain aware of the unregulated nature of these rentals and seek properties managed by professional hosts, according to Ford. Messaging potential hosts and asking about basic safety information is a good way to determine how seriously they take guest safety. Ask about:

Fire alarm batteries. 

Deck inspections. 

Pool fences. 

Bunk bed railings. 

And Ford suggests that guests with families talk to their children about potential hazards, especially with swimming pools.

“We’ve seen a lot of pool drownings lately,” Ford says. “We need to have these discussions with our children about pools.”

Note: Because of an editing error, Breezeway was originally noted as an online communication platform for short-term rental property managers. It is a property operations platform. The article has been updated to reflect this change.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Citibank's application

1%-5% Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

$200 Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

on Wells Fargo's website

2% Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

$200 Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

1x-3x Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases.

20,000 Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

I've stayed in Airbnbs around the world by myself. My top tip for solo travelers is to book for 2 people — even if it costs more.

• I'm a frequent solo traveler who prefers to stay in Airbnbs over hotels. 
• When I book an Airbnb for a solo trip, I say it's for two people, so hosts don't know I'm alone. 
• Sometimes booking for two costs extra, but I'm willing to pay it because it makes me feel safer. 

Cozy cabins , unique tiny homes , luxury apartments — I've booked them all through Airbnb. 

As a travel reporter, I've stayed in accommodations around the world, from the US and Canada to Western Europe. I prefer staying in Airbnbs over hotels because they often bring me more unique experiences, such as sleeping in a treehouse in Canada and a livable barrel in Switzerland.

Usually, I travel solo . I've taken overnight trains in the US and Europe, spent seven nights on one of the world's largest cruise ships sailing the Caribbean Sea, and traveled by rail to Niagara Falls, Montréal, and Quebec City . On these trips, I explored new cities and unique accommodations — all by myself.

Related stories

Now that I'm a seasoned solo traveler , I have a lot of practices in place to ensure I feel as safe as possible when I'm traveling alone — especially in other countries.

When it comes to staying in Airbnbs solo, my best tip is to book accommodation for two people

When I make the reservation, I simply change the number of guests from one to two. Then, In my message to the host, I always say that I may have a friend joining me for my trip.

This way, my host doesn't think I'm traveling all by myself. Creating the illusion that I have someone else with me makes me feel more comfortable falling asleep at night in a stranger's place.

Booking for two sometimes comes with an additional fee, depending on the Airbnb.

For example, when I traveled to Rome and booked two nights in a livable art sculpture Airbnb , the price was $102 a night for one person and $145 a night for two people. In this case, my partner did end up joining me for the stay. But even if he hadn't, I would have been fine paying the additional fee to feel more secure about staying there alone. 

Solo travel can be daunting, especially when you're booking accommodation with an individual rather than directly through a company like you would at a hotel.

But after all my unique Airbnb experiences, I think it's worth booking them even when I'm alone. And booking for two makes me feel a little safer.  

Axel Springer, Insider Inc.'s parent company, is an investor in Airbnb.

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Airbnb 2024 Summer Release highlights

Key Takeaways

• Over the past five years, we’ve launched over 90 unique experiences inspired by some of the most beloved people and places in the world. In 2023 alone, we launched 35 of these stays which have garnered over 4.7 million views.
• Given this demand and excitement, we took our learnings from over the years to build a brand new category - Icons - with new experiences dropping throughout the year.
• More than 80% of bookings on Airbnb are group trips so we're introducing new features including shared wishlists, trip invitations, and group messaging to make planning group trips easier than ever.
• With over 5 million Hosts on our platform, we’re making it easier for them to dynamically track their earnings, switch between accounts, and adjust their home photo tours in the Listings tab.

Introducing Icons 

A new category of extraordinary experiences hosted by the world’s greatest icons across music, film, television, art, sports, and more. 

• Over the past five years, we’ve launched more than 90 1 one-of-a-kind stays and experiences available only on Airbnb across movies, sport, gaming, food, music and more. In 2023 alone, we launched 35 of these stays which garnered over 4.7 million views 2 . 
• Given this demand and excitement, we took our learnings from over the years to build a brand new category – Icons – with new experiences dropping throughout the year 3 .
• Home Alone (Chicago, IL, United States) 
• Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse – Ken’s Way (Malibu, CA, United States) 
• Shrek’s Swamp (Scotland, United Kingdom) 
• Hocus Pocus (Danvers, MA, United States)
• Mystery Machine (Malibu, CA, United States) 

New features for group trips

Planning group trips is easier than ever with shared wishlists, group messaging in a redesigned Messages tab, and digital trip invitation postcards. 

• More than 80% of bookings on Airbnb are group trips 5 , which is why we’re introducing new features to help make planning trips with friends and family easier.
• Traveling can offer family and friends a way to have fun, connect with each other, and create cherished memories. National parks, Beach, Amazing pools, Amazing views, and Iconic cities are the top 5 categories booked for group trips 5 suggesting Airbnb guests traveling in groups love to travel to iconic cities for trips that are adventurous and relaxing.
• London, Great Britain
• Paris, France
• Rome, Italy
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Melbourne, Australia
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Budapest, Hungary
• Cape Town, South Africa 

Shared wishlists 

• Guests are constantly discovering, and saving, wonderful listings on Airbnb using wishlists. Since we launched the feature over a decade ago, guests have created over 1.2 billion wishlists 9 to help them plan their trips.
• Shared wishlists are a great and convenient place to start planning a group trip. However, guests often still share individual links with friends when trying to decide on the best home for their trip. In fact, over a million listing links were shared a day on average in the last year 10 . Starting today, when we detect guests have shared three or more listing links, we’ll create a wishlist of those listings, which can be shared with co-travelers to help make organizing trips even easier. 
• While shared wishlists are a great tool for planning group trips, only 1% of group bookings have come from shared wishlists so we’re making it easier to create and collaborate with co-travelers. Now invited co-travelers can leave notes and vote on their favorite listings to make the decision process easier and bookings quicker.
• Every group has an unsung hero – the person who makes it their mission to ensure the group has the perfect space to enjoy their trip. On Airbnb women create 75% more shared wishlists than men 12 .

Trip invitations

• Less than 1 in 10 group trips have a co-traveler who joined a reservation 13 , making it the primary booker’s job to answer many logistical questions from co-travelers and bear the sole responsibility of communicating with the Host. We want to help change that.
• Starting today, once a trip is booked, we’re making it easier and fun for the primary booker to invite co-travelers to the reservation with digital postcards illustrated by artists from around the world. These postcards invite co-travelers to join the trip, see important details like check-in and wifi details, and join a group chat with their Host. 

Messaging 

• Messaging is an important part of the Airbnb experience. Over 15 billion messages have been sent on Airbnb 14 and in the last year alone, 3 billion messages were sent 15 . As a result, we’re redesigning the inbox tool and making it easier to see and quickly engage with messages in our new Messages tab. 
• Now all guest, Host, and support messages are conveniently in one place with a unified search, chat members can use emoji reactions, and Hosts can use AI-suggested quick replies to efficiently respond to frequently asked questions about check-in, checkout, and more.  

Upgrades for Hosts

We’ve improved the earnings dashboard, updated the Listings tab to give Hosts more control, and added a simple way to quickly switch between the guest and Host sides of the app.

• In 2023, Hosts on Airbnb earned more than $57 billion USD and the earnings dashboard was visited over 7 million times by Hosts 16 . Knowing how important earnings are to Hosts, we’re making the earnings dashboard even more interactive, with extra insights such as occupancy rates, nights booked, and average guests and nightly stays. And for the first time, Hosts can break down their earnings by listings.
• Since launching AI-powered photo tours in the Listings tab last fall, 2 million listings on Airbnb now feature a photo tour giving guests a better understanding of their Host’s home 17 . Hosts know what parts of their homes make it attractive to guests so we’re giving them the opportunity to edit the order of photos in a Listing tab photo tour to highlight the best parts of their home.
• In the past year, 36% of Hosts also stayed in an Airbnb 18 so we’re making it easier to get the best of both worlds and allowing them to easily switch between their Host and guest profiles.

Signing your company up to Airbnb for Work

Joining Airbnb for Work makes it easy to book and manage company travel, with access to listings around the world for short or extended business travel. If you manage your employer’s travel or human resources department, you can enrol your company in Airbnb for Work.

Enrol your company

First, fill in the contact form . Our team will determine if your company qualifies for a corporate account.

Set up your company's account

Next, you’ll need to confirm your email address. When you do, you’ll get access to the Airbnb for Work dashboard where you can:

• Invite your employees to the Airbnb for Work programme.
• Add your company’s credit card. This gives your colleagues an easy way to pay for any work trips they book on Airbnb.

Use an existing Airbnb account to manage your company’s travel

You can access your Airbnb for Work dashboard with an existing Airbnb account. Invite employees, check upcoming and active trips, review itineraries and more.

Add colleagues to your company's account

Your unique Airbnb for Work invite page makes it easy for you to invite your employees . After they sign up, they can book places to stay for work trips.

Add an admin or trip planner

Once your employee accepts the invitation and is on board, you can change their role and give them more responsibilities, such as making them an admin or a trip planner.

Related articles

Joining your company’s airbnb for work account, joining airbnb as a company or managing company info on an account.

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Airbnb, Norwegian Cruise See Analyst Upgrades: Are Travel And Leisure Stocks The New Value Heaven?

Shares in the travel and leisure industry are increasingly catching the eye of value investors, presenting discounted valuations alongside promising growth prospects for the upcoming tourist season.

Since the start of the current bull-market rally, major industry exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking travel and leisure companies have underperformed relative to the broader stock market.

The Defiance Hotel, Airline, and Cruise ETF (NYSE:CRUZ), the Alps Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF (NYSE:JRNY), and the AdvisorShares Hotel ETF (NYSE:BEDZ) have gained 28%, 24.5%, and 22.8%, respectively, compared to a 29% surge in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:SPY) since late October 2023.

Yet, the outlook for travel-related stocks is improving, drawing interest from traders looking to invest in underperforming sectors amid the broader bull market.

Chart: Travel Stocks Lagged Behind The Broader S&P 500 In The Current Bull-Market Rally

Read also: Market Whales and Their Recent Bets on CCL Options

What Happened: On Tuesday, Airbnb Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB) and Norwegian Cruise Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH) received analyst upgrades.

Wedbush upgraded Airbnb Inc . from Neutral to Outperform, raising the price target from $160 to $165.

Analyst Scott Devitt suggested investors should capitalize on this period of relative weakness, seeing potential upside to near-term estimates following conservative second-quarter guidance.

He emphasized Airbnb’s strong growth prospects and significant potential as the company expanded beyond its core offerings. Wedbush highlighted Airbnb’s leading competitive position in the alternative accommodation market and opportunities for growth in adjacent products and services.

"We believe the company's expansion will start with the relaunch of Airbnb experiences, with an announcement likely within the next 6-12 months," Wedbush noted. The analyst increased estimates for the second quarter and second half revenue and adjusted EBITDA by 1% and 3%, respectively.

Shares of Airbnb Inc. rose 1.69% to $146.91 on Tuesday at publication.

Mizuho Securities upgraded Norwegian Cruise Holdings from Neutral to Buy, raising the price target from $21 to $24.

Executive Director Ben Chaiken noted a shift in sentiment towards the cruise line, driven by compelling valuations, improving business efficiency and a favorable industry backdrop.

"Valuation has completely reset," Chaiken remarked, highlighting that Norwegian Cruise has underperformed peer Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd . (NYSE:RCL) by 160% since January 2023.

Mizuho Securities raised revenue forecasts from $9.35 billion to $9.41 billion for 2024, and from $9.97 billion to $10.13 billion for 2025, also boosting EBITDA forecasts.

"Together, we find the risk/reward particularly compelling at current levels, with upside/downside of approximately 6:1," Chaiken stated.

Shares of Norwegian Cruise Holdings rose 3.91% to $16.63 on Tuesday at publication.

Top 10 Travel & Leisure Stocks With The Highest Upside Potential

Currently, the Street’s median price target on Airbnb and Norwegian Cruise Holdings is about 2.2% and 19.7% higher than current prices.

Examining Travel & Leisure stocks included in the iShares Russell 1000 ETF (NYSE:IWB), the stocks with the highest upside potential based on the difference between the median Street price target and current prices are:

Read Now: Magnificent 7 Becomes ‘The Magnificent One’: Wall Street Guru Hails Single Tech Stock As Market Leader

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