How To Contact an Airbnb Host (Without Making a Reservation)

April 3, 2019 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Here’s how to prevent making a costly, hundred-dollar mistake. Because been there, done that.

The Airbnb Service Fee Is Refundable if a Reservation Is Canceled Within 48 Hours

August 1, 2018 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Airbnb has long held one of the most convoluted cancellation policies in the hospitality industry, mostly due to the fact it acts as a third-party broker between hosts and guests.

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How To Live In Two Different Places at Once

March 20, 2018 Erica Ho 3 minute read

First-world problem, right? Perhaps, but there are many reasons why it would make sense to establish two different residencies at the same time. Because, maybe, you’re sick of living out of a hotel?

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This Is How Long You Have To Rent out on Airbnb To Break Even

February 7, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

So, exactly how many nights do you have to rent out a place on Airbnb to break even?

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How to Deal with Airbnb Cancellations Because of Craptastic Weather

January 5, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

I bet there are a lot of people that are interested in this answer.

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Be the Best Housesitter That You Can Possibly Be

July 25, 2017 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Thank goodness that it is the summer, and people need all sorts of plants watered.

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How To Completely Wing a Trip (and Still Have a Place to Sleep at Night)

February 22, 2017 Erica Ho 3 minute read

Trust me, people find places to sleep. It’s more a matter of where, and for how much.

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You Probably Don’t Want To Know How Often Bed Bugs Are Found in Hotels

February 13, 2017 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Ignorance is bliss, ignorance is bliss.

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The Quick Guide to Airbnb Co-Hosting

January 11, 2017 Erica Ho 3 minute read

Not feeling like dealing with a listing?

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Review: Airbnb Business Is a Serious Must for Corporate Travel

October 3, 2016 Erica Ho 3 minute read

Let’s not forget how useful having an actual kitchen really is.

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Preventing Bed Bugs From Traveling With You

August 23, 2016 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Not the best souvenir to take home. But it does happen, and when it happens, it’s like Freddy Krueger. Not like the original Freddy Krueger movies, but Freddy v. Jason bad.

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News Roundup: Alaska Airlines Buys Virgin and Zika in the South Pacific!!

April 8, 2016 Sam Wright Fairbanks 2 minute read

A United Airlines flight attendant makes a break for it, Alaska Airlines acquires Virgin America, Zika virus updates and more—this week in travel news.

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Thinking About Airbnb Abroad? Why You Might Want To Think Twice

March 8, 2016 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Because I understand the pitfalls of traveling internationally (there are so many things that can go wrong) and the weakness of some of Airbnb’s claims, I prefer not to use them when traveling abroad. Here’s why.

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Essential Tools for Managing an Airbnb When You’re Not There

December 14, 2015 Erica Ho 2 minute read

The key to running a great Airbnb listing is having somebody who works from home who can also manage the property. But sometimes that’s not possible when you’re in Bora Bora.

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Here Are Several Common Airbnb Problems No One Checks for Before Booking

December 8, 2015 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Did you know central air conditioning isn’t standard in New York? Bet you would want to know that before taking off in the heat of summer.

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How To Be the Perfect Airbnb Host (or a Superhost)

October 20, 2015 Erica Ho 5 minute read

Especially if you’ve never hosted before, it’s time to make this thing happen. Take it from several Airbnb Superhosts.

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The Cooking Essentials for Traveling

August 27, 2015 Erica Ho 4 minute read

Because I am not food snob, I promise. Besides, the doctor told me to lighten up on the steak au poivre.

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Better Read This Before You Use Airbnb for the First Time

August 6, 2015 Erica Ho 4 minute read

It’s so great! You save more money than you would than at a hotel! OMG!! You should definitely use it!! Is what everyone seems to say about using Airbnb for the first time.

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Airbnb Charges a Foreign Transaction Fee (and This Is How You Beat It)

July 19, 2015 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Imagine my surprise when I found out Airbnb charges a foreign transaction fee on top of listings booked outside the country.

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How To Perfect the Art of Haggling on Airbnb

June 12, 2015 Erica Ho 5 minute read

Asking is the quickest way to get a discount but it’s also the quickest possible way to piss off an Airbnb host.

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Why You Really Can’t Trust Airbnb Reviews At All

May 14, 2015 Erica Ho 6 minute read

Ever met a perfectly pleasant stranger and then you were asked to critique their communication, habits and home? That’s essentially what leaving an Airbnb review is like.

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Roomorama Hunts Down Vacation Rentals for You

May 11, 2015 Karina Martinez-Carter 5 minute read

It’s a big wide world out there beyond Airbnb. Take Roomorama, for one, where hosts clamor for guests instead of the other way around.

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Why Private Hostel Rooms Are Terrible Deals

March 19, 2015 Erica Ho 2 minute read

In fact, more often than not, they’re practically the same price as hotels.

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Quick Reminder: Airbnb Rentals Are Negotiable

March 4, 2015 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Remember that you can always negotiate with your Airbnb host for a better deal. If you don’t ask, you don’t get!

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HomeAway Is Vacation Rentals Without Airbnb’s Fees

October 30, 2014 Karina Martinez-Carter 5 minute read

It’s a big, wide world of vacation listings out there, each with its own set of options, niches and fees. One of the biggest is HomeAway, which likes to deliver without the latter.

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Read This Before Listing Your Place As a Vacation Rental

August 25, 2014 Karina Martinez-Carter 3 minute read

The sharing economy is one of seemingly endless opportunity. (Have car, will drive for cash.)

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Behind Airbnb’s Latest Branding Redesign

July 17, 2014 Erica Ho 4 minute read

Does it look like a pair of boobs to you? For some people, the new logo looks like a butt. I’m actually not here to talk about either.

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The Rules of Airbnb Sex

June 23, 2014 Erica Ho 3 minute read

Give me a second while I mull this over, pause, slightly gross out and then somewhat reluctantly accept that we’re all human beings here.

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This Travel Spice Rack is Perfect for Vacation Rentals

April 24, 2014 Erica Ho 4 minute read

At first glance, the Mobile Foodie Survival Kit looks like another pretentious piece of Brooklyn hipster swag. Despite that, its actually a great spice rack if you’re going away for extended periods of time.

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Is Airbnb Really Better Than Staying at a Hostel?

March 12, 2014 Erica Ho 4 minute read

In the six years since Airbnb launched, the company has pretty much managed to redefine budget traveling. Since then, I’ve played the role as both host and guest in several countries and cities, with, more often than not, mixed feelings.