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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Extra cost for Airbnb guest numbers

36 replies

AccountNumber24 · 20/10/2021 10:54

Booked an airbnb for a family break in a few weeks time. We've currently booked for 4 but it can hold up to 10, and we need to add 2 more people into the booking to make it 6.

Host has asked me to update the booking and when I have tried to do this the cost has change and it will charge me an extra £80 (£40pp)

AIBU to think that it is U to charge for extra guests when it doesn't make any difference to the logistics of the stay? and AIBU to not know what I am paying extra for?

If there are 4 guests who take a double bed each, thats 4 rooms used. If 2 of them add their partners, to make 6 guests, they are still only using 4 rooms.

What are we paying more for?

OP posts:

BlackKittyKat · 20/10/2021 11:01

What about towels? Or any other things supplied on a per person basis? Welcome pack etc?

Time40 · 20/10/2021 11:17

Wear and tear. More electricity and hot water usage. I think an extra £40pp is reasonable, tbh.

hibbledibble · 20/10/2021 11:18

Extra wear and tear, towels, bedding, utility use. It is reasonable.

lanthanum · 20/10/2021 11:19

How do they know that the extra two won't use any more beds?

ComDummings · 20/10/2021 11:20

I think it’s fine, as others say, more wear and tear, they don’t know you won’t be using another room etc, possible more cleaning afterwards etc

LagneyandCasey · 20/10/2021 11:22

It seems reasonable to me for the extra washing, cleaning, gas&electric. How many nights have you booked?

abstractprojection · 21/10/2021 03:52

It’s just how it is, they can charge what they like and as people have said wear and tear, bulls etc.

You can see it the other way round that you were getting a discount for just being 4, and you are still getting a discount for just being 6

Some of these sites can be unclear with various charges at the time of booking though so don’t blame you for being surprised

Having said that you may have gotten away with just not telling them

Summerrain123 · 21/10/2021 06:46

I have an air bnb and would prefer to charge over bed used. As the laundry is the biggest cost. So 2 people in 2 separate beds costs more than a couple in a double bed but there is no facility to charge like that so you just have to do a best fit.
You could always say to the air bnb owner that you will not be using any extra rooms or beds and offer to bring own towels for a reduction but you still have to consider wear and tear and extra electricity and water use. I also don't think £40pp is that bad.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 21/10/2021 06:59

You’re thinking too simply.... wear and tear, water, gas and electric, use of kitchen utensils/tea/coffee, toilet rolls, towels....

greenflower1 · 21/10/2021 16:02

I wouldn't have told them! How would they even know? They could be day guests. I'd just reply back and say they have booked somewhere else nearby so you can proceed with original booking. Worst case they bring their own towels lol.

FreedomFaith · 21/10/2021 16:13

I don't think this is right. The place holds 10 people apparently, so they should be charging according to 10 people and have enough towels for 10 people. Sounds weird to start charging extra now, would they have charged extra at the start if you had originally booked for 10 people?

vajingleberry · 21/10/2021 16:59

would they have charged extra at the start if you had originally booked for 10 people?

Yes. OP probably got a reduced rate if she originally booked such a large property for 4 people.

As PPs have pointed out, the laundry/wear and tear/energy costs increase in proportion to the number of guests.

ArielFelix · 21/10/2021 17:15

@FreedomFaith

Probably, you can set a charge for extra guests over a set amount. A place near me that slept 10 charged £10 per person (per night) over 1 occupant, which I thought was a bit curious as it seemed unlikely 1 person would rent it by themselves (it was a standard 5 bed house, not any nice period features or interesting thing to make it quirky- (unless you went for floral sofas and green bathroom suites)

ArielFelix · 21/10/2021 17:16

^£10 per person per night extra I meant

FreedomFaith · 21/10/2021 18:31

@vajingleberry

would they have charged extra at the start if you had originally booked for 10 people?

Yes. OP probably got a reduced rate if she originally booked such a large property for 4 people.

As PPs have pointed out, the laundry/wear and tear/energy costs increase in proportion to the number of guests.

But op hasn't said she got a reduced rate for booking a house for less people than it can fit. I've booked a holiday home that fits 6 people next year for just me and my partner, I didn't get a discount. Had to pay the full price.

If she did, then fair enough. But if she didn't, they are taking the piss.

GenderAtheist · 21/10/2021 18:40

All the charges would have been on the listing - you should have checked this before booking. It’s not hidden in the small print - it’s right on the main page where you clicked “ number of guests “.

irregularegular · 21/10/2021 18:48

I doubt the costs go up that much tbh. But businesses don't just set prices based on costs. They set prices partly based on willingness to pay. Larger groups are generally willing to pay more, as they alternatives will be more expensive and/or total income will be higher.

You could just as well ask what an adult is paying more for when they have to pay more compared to a child for a train/theatre ticket. Costs just the same to provide the service!

irregularegular · 21/10/2021 18:51

And that would be dishonest. Like getting away with the cheap ticket when you are supposed to buy the expensive one just because you can. Not nice.

Poetnojo · 21/10/2021 18:51

One time I was looking for an airbnb for myself and my husband, I found a lovely house with 4 bedrooms, beautiful views and a hot tub, it was reasonably priced so we decided to book it for the whole family instead. When I changed the guests from 2 to 7 in the search the price jumped up considerably. So I guess it may not have been obvious that the OP was getting a reduced price for a low occupancy.

Poetnojo · 21/10/2021 18:53

Just to add, entry to the house was with a lockbox so we could have gotten away with booking it for 2 but bringing the whole family at the reduced price but we wouldn't do that.

ArielFelix · 21/10/2021 18:54

@FreedomFaith
Airbnb lets you charge extra for guests over a set number (so in this place I imagine it’s 4) and any over that they charge whatever the host sets it at, in this case £40pp. So had they booked 6 people initially, they would have been charged £40pp for the 2 people over 4. So not exactly a discount but cheaper than if the place was at full occupancy.
However if you were 2 people and the base number was 4 before they start charging extra, you wouldn’t get a discount. Maybe as there is probably 4 beds, it’s likely they make up all 4 beds and then have to launder it even if unused.

clockover · 21/10/2021 19:04

I'm a bit surprised you think extra people should come for no extra cost tbh

Clymene · 21/10/2021 19:14

Of course it makes a difference. How bizarre that you think it wouldn't. Are you going to trap your 2 extra people in bed the whole time you're away?

StrawBeretMoose · 21/10/2021 19:19

It's fair enough that they charge more. Three of us booked a 4-bedroom place recently and one of the bedrooms was locked, presumably to stop CF people bringing extra guests.

2bazookas · 21/10/2021 19:20

more guests =more towels, bedding, hot water, fuel cost, cleaning, laundry.

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