Let’s face it: digital nomads love to hate Airbnb.
A lot of that hate probably comes from high prices. Rates on short-term apartment rental sites are typically 2-4 times what locals pay for an equivalent apartment.
However, many nomads remain unaware that in many rental markets, you can negotiate the price of the Airbnb to save tons of money.
Asking for a discount
This strategy works best when you’re looking at apartments less than a month in advance. At that point, hosts may be worried that they won’t get anyone at all, and they will be more inclined to give concessions. Still, it doesn’t hurt to ask no matter when you’re booking.
Start by rounding up a list of apartments that you like for the dates of your stay (tip: use our guide to finding an Airbnb to find the perfect stay for your needs). At the bottom of each listing page, you will see a “Contact Host” button. Click it, and you will be taken to Airbnb’s message platform.
Keep the message polite but direct. If you’re not sure how to phrase your request, fill out and paste this sample message below:
Hi [Host Name],
I am looking to rent an apartment in [City] from [start date] to [end date]. Your apartment looks amazing! Although the price is over my budget, is there any chance that you could offer a discount for [X days]? I would be sure to treat the apartment like my own home. If you are able to accommodate this request, then I would be happy to book immediately.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing back.
[Your name]
If you have a specific price in mind, you might also say “Although the price is over my budget, would you be willing to accept $XXXX for [insert number of days]?”
Why this message works
- It tells the host exactly when you plan to be in the city.
- It conveys your enthusiasm for the space and your dedication to being a good guest.
- It is polite yet direct.
- It creates a sense of urgency by stating that you book immediately.
Feel free to tweak this template to match your own particular needs.
Responding to the followup
Most of the time, hosts will be willing to knock at least 10-20% off the price, and sometimes up to 50%. If you offer up a specific price, hosts will often meet you halfway. Occasionally, they’ll even accept your bid outright.
The host will either send a “special offer” through the app or lower the upfront price. Make sure that the discount has been applied on the final payment screen before you book.
Keep in mind that in popular destinations or during major events/holidays, you probably won’t be able to negotiate much (if any) discount. This strategy works best for off-peak times and last-minute trips.
Off-app arrangements
Airbnb makes money by charging a service fee for use of its platform. Although the exact amount varies, typically hosts pay 3% of the booking subtotal, while guests pay 14%.
Many jurisdictions also levy a tax on Airbnb bookings paid by the guest, as well as income tax or VAT for the host. This creates an incentive for hosts and guests to arrange for private transactions off the Airbnb app.
Naturally, Airbnb doesn’t want to get cut out. The platform’s terms of service forbid these arrangements, and its software blocks the exchange of contact information until after payment has been made using the Airbnb app.
For safety reasons, we recommend keeping the transaction on the Airbnb platform during your initial stay. With Airbnb as a middleman, you at least have someone to adjudicate disputes and prevent scams.
Once you get a chance to visit the property and meet the host, you can then offer to pay for additional nights using third-party apps like PayPal or Zelle. Although not all hosts are open to this arrangement, many are happy to accept cash payments.
TL;DR
Note that many listings will give you an automatic discount if you book for a week or a month (28 nights). But if the price is still outside your budget, there’s no harm in politely asking for a discount. Many hosts are open to negotiation, especially if you have accumulated good reviews as a guest yourself.
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