38 | Why You Should Keep All Bookings on the App (Even Your Mom)

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This episode is all about the importance of booking all guests — including your mom, your grandma, and regular corporate clients — through the app, whether that’s with Airbnb or another platform.
Sometimes hosts are tempted to take cash, PayPal, or Venmo bookings, but trust us — it’s way more trouble than it’s worth.
Reasons why you should keep it legit and always book through the app include:

• Insurance coverage
• Your payment is guaranteed
• It keeps your finances straight
• It keeps you in integrity with co-hosts, partners, taxes and the booking platform
• There’s no risk of double-booking
• It doesn’t cause problems if you use an automated management system for cleaning, messages, etc.

This is not to say that we don’t do special rates for repeat guests or family. You can even charge relatives a token amount, and that way you can still review each other. 

Sarah does actually have a repeat guest that she does book outside of the app, but she had an attorney draw up a special contract and double-checked that her insurance was still covered. So if you have to work outside of the app for some reason, make sure to do your due diligence and protect yourself!

Resources:

• Want to open your own short-term rental? Then get your FREE copy of 7 Steps to Your First Guest at thanksforvisiting.me!
• Instagram: @thanksforvisiting
• Smartbnb: https://www.smartbnb.io
• #STRShareSunday: @thelosthaus
• Check out The Lost Haus: https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/32692455