To ask for some help sorting a holiday please?

[PixieBigShoes]

I've tried 3 times to make a booking to stay in Europe next summer for a month. Air BnB seemed perfect as they do a discount for long stays.

The first got declined as they are renovating and can't guarantee that the apartment will be ready in time. They did offer me somewhere a lot smaller for a small discount. However this was not suitable.

The second did not respond within the 24 hours, so the payment was voided. I had no communication with the host but the dates I wanted are now crossed out.

The third got back to me straight away, saying that they do not in fact do the month let discount (which was 48% for that property) so it is now out of my budget.

It's also annoying as I have to wait several days each time to have the money available in my account to spend again.

Please, does anyone have any suggestions of other holiday let companies that might work out for me?

This probably shouldn't be in AIBU, sorry but I know it gets the most traffic.

Thank you in advance.

I should have disabled voting - sorry.

You can filter Airbnb properties by ones which are just instant book, so there’s no faffing around waiting for responses.

Thank you Violetta - I will try that but I'm still worried that the host will just cancel it from their end. I'll give it a go though.

Contact them before you book and ask. I imagine in summer they'd rather short let's than a discounted longer let.

Vrbo is similar to Airbnb, just ask before booking, most of hosts will reply within few hours.

Thank you! I'm really hoping that someone can point me in direction of someone with whom they have successfully booked a month's summer holiday let lwith the kind of discount suggested by Air BnB,) but I guess this may be a pipe dream!

I used to do 2, 2 week lets in different places. Month long lets were rare.
Yes, it means packing in the middle, but it also gives you a chance to explore somewhere slightly different.

Booking.com let’s you filter for apartments and villas rather than hotels. Just put in a month dates and see what it comes up with.
It on Topcashback too so you might get more money back.

People aren't going to want to give a discount in their best season.

However because of the Shengen rules, people can't stay over here as much after Brexit so they are likely to have their own places that might be available for longer stays if you are flexible. I'd suggest deciding where in Europe you want to go, and join a Post Brexit Brits in [France/Italy/wherever] Facebook page and ask on there. People are always advertising on the French versions for longer stays. And they won't have to give commission to AIRBNB etc so it should be cheaper.

I'd not ask for a discount off the bat though. Decide on your budget and just stick to that. It pisses people right off.

Try booking.com, however I doubt many places will offer month-long discounts in summer. They could have 10 three-day bookings at the usual night rate, instead of giving you a large discount. It’s not like they’re trying to fill the house during low season.

How annoying!! I remember having similar looking for a ski chalet in half term and getting responses like.. 'oh sorry... we are using it oursleves that week' and no.. 'it's school holidays in many areas that week we are not renting it'... and thinking.. doh.. that's why I want it.. why advertise something you are not selling!!

Thank you. You're all absolutely correct of course. I had a clearly false set of hope when the Air BnB prices for a month were little more than what I paid for a last minute 4 day stay in a different but similarly popular city. I shall look up the expat's pages as advised though.

Thank you for all your replies.

vrbo.com

Thank you for your help. All confirmed and still through AirBnB, with the big discount. Thank you again 😀