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How to use Airbnb for corporate travel - A quick guide

Airbnb takes aim at the corporate travel industry, the benefits of airbnb for business travelers, hotels retain a slight upper hand, airbnb vs hotels – how do they stack up, should i book my next business trip on airbnb.

• Airbnb rentals are typically more suitable for trips that are over a week in length.
• Hosts offer discounts on weekly and monthly bookings.
• Ideal for relocators or longer itineraries where travelers would appreciate facilities like washing machines and kitchens.
• Better for groups of business travelers.
• Safety concerns and more remote locations could make Airbnb rentals unsuitable for solo travelers.
• Airbnb rentals are great bases for new starters who have relocated.
• Can serve as inspiring backdrops for corporate getaways, allowing teams to reconnect and have creative brainstorming sessions in a new location.
• It is less suitable for short trips as their location tends to be away from business districts.
• Business travelers might prefer to stay in a hotel where they can benefit from housekeeping, gym facilities, and room service.

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Many travelers book with Airbnb to save on lodging for personal and leisure trips, but it’s equally convenient to use Airbnb for Work. It encourages stronger company culture through team building, local experiences and increased collaboration when traveling — all while saving about 50% on expenses. 

These days, some 700,000 businesses use Airbnb for Work to book spaces. In this guide, we’ll show you how find them, how the program works and why it might be a fit for your company’s travel style.

And although Airbnb doesn’t have a loyalty program, you can earn miles, points or cash back by paying with  the best small business credit cards .

Let’s take a look.

Overview:  What’s Airbnb for Work?

Airbnb for Work  is a dashboard designed for small business travel. It’s a simple but powerful interface that addresses difficulties in booking traditional lodging for teams.

When you sign up as a business, you’ll have access to travel reports, invoices and expense reports. You can even set limits on how much an employee can spend per night — right down to custom limits for specific cities. You can set the maximum at, say, $75 a night in Kansas City and $150 a night in New York or San Francisco.

You’ll save money by not having to pay for multiple rooms as you would with hotels. Instead, you can book a big place with several rooms for one nightly price — which on average is 50% cheaper. Most rentals come with a kitchen, work spaces and a living room, so you’ll also save on eating out and paying for multiple Wi-Fi passes.

Plus, everyone will have their own room for work and sleep and be more available for team meetings, brainstorming sessions and social gatherings.

Many Fortune 500 companies, like Domino’s, Hyundai and PayPal, use Airbnb for Work for team lodging. Airbnb locations are in ~200 countries around the world.

And you can also book a cottage, cabin or castle just to get away for a while.

Advantages of Airbnb for Work

1.  you can save nearly 50% compared to hotels.

In addition to making it easier to book team travel, Airbnb for Work can also save a lot of money. Airbnbs for teams are 49% cheaper on average for travel within the U.S. and can save even more on international lodgings.

Which makes sense because booking multiple hotel rooms can get expensive quickly.  If you can book one place with extra bedrooms, you’re only paying one total cost per night.

2.  Airbnb encourages team building and collaboration

The other advantage to Airbnb for Work is the opportunity to have your team in the same place, but with enough privacy so everyone has their own space.

When you can hang out in the living room, instead of a hotel lobby, your team can bond faster with fewer distractions. And having a full kitchen for meal preparation encourages folks to spend more time in shared spaces.

Plus, you can book  Airbnb Experiences  to arrange shared activities off-site, like sailing, pastry-making classes, a canoe trip and much more.

3.  Airbnb for Work offers a corporate dashboard for travel management

Airbnb knows business travelers need easy ways to book and pay for their stays, keep track of employee spending and generate invoices. The Airbnb for Work dashboard accomplishes this.

The Corporate Dashboard allows you to easily reserve stays for your team, so there’s no need for your employees to book their own reservation. You’re also able to directly reimburse your employees for their paid stays and pay any outstanding invoices related to the stay.

We’ll talk about the dashboard more in a moment.

4.  Airbnb for Work is great for long-term projects or employee relocation

Instead of bland corporate housing, Airbnb for Work can provide long-term accommodations for big projects or employee relocation. In fact, you can usually save even more for a longer booking.

Airbnb offers travelers certain amenities that most hotels simply do not. You’ll have an entire house/apartment to yourself and a full kitchen that’s a welcome convenience for folks who don’t want to eat at a restaurant every day.

5.  Airbnb for Work’s standards and host expectations

Airbnb requires hosts to meet certain standards before their listing will appear as work-ready. Hosts have to ensure:

• Guaranteed constant Wi-Fi
• Laptop-friendly work spaces
• Travel essentials like basic toiletries, iron, hair dryer, and hangers
• Self check-in with a keypad code or lock box
• Flexible and/or free cancellations

In addition to these requirements, each work-friendly listing must have at least an average 4.8 rating (out of 5) and at least five reviews.

Metrics are updated constantly. If a listing fails to meet expectations or falls below standards, it will no longer appear in business travel searches.

How to use Airbnb for Work

To get started, navigate to the Airbnb for Work  website  and click “Sign up.” You’ll have to use a work email, or an email separate from your personal Airbnb account.

You’ll get a verification email with a link to click to confirm it’s the correct email address.

Afterward, you can access and set up your dashboard.

Here, you can:

• Invite employees to book stays through your company’s portal
• Add a company credit card
• Generate invoices
• Track team spending

You can also add employees to groups and designate other admins to approve company travel, if you have a lot of employees.

You can also opt to receive alerts if a stay exceeds a nightly rate. And you can set limits for any specific city, say, $120 for Chicago or $150 for New York City.

This is a useful feature for giving employees more wiggle room in expensive markets. Or making sure they don’t spend too much in cheaper locations.

After you’ve set up your dashboard, you can invite your team members to join. From there, they can start booking their trips any time they log in with their company email address.

Trips will show up automatically in the “Reporting” section of your dashboard. And you can see who booked the trip, where they went, dates of the stay and how much it cost.

The dashboard is laid out simply and easy to use. The advantage of using it is to have everything in one place instead of waiting for each employee to submit expense reports and invoices. Plus, you can add a company credit card so they won’t have to use their own payment methods, which is another way to track spending.

Important considerations

Airbnb for Work is best for business travel involving small groups. If you have 2,000+ employees and want to organize a conference or meeting, you’d definitely want to look elsewhere for that kind of space.

Also, Airbnb isn’t subject to the same safety controls as major hotels, like marked exits, ADA compliance and sprinklers in every room in case of a fire. You’re often staying in a home intended for residential, not commercial, use. Although that provides “homey” space, you might need something with a ramp and an elevator or other special features.

And beware of cancellations. Things can (and do) happen — the heat goes out in winter or a pipe bursts. The landlord can’t move you to another room like in a regular hotel. If there’s a last-monute disaster, it could throw your plans into turmoil, although I’ve personally found Airbnb to be fast and accommodating in the case of emergencies like this.

This can happen in a regular hotel too, of course. For example, when I showed up to a Marriott hotel in Orlando, they told me the water was out on the entire floor — and sent me to another hotel across the street. Or you might arrive at a hotel to find a broken elevator, noisy guests next to your room or loud construction right outside your window (all of these have happened to me).

And hotels undergo frequent renovations. When I arrived at my Hyatt hotel in New Mexico, we had to walk around the entire building to check in because the lobby was closed. So being flexible is important when you travel, not just with Airbnb.

Finally, consider that some communities aren’t welcoming  of Airbnbs and their a constant rotation of new guests. You might experience hostility from neighbors.

If you have any safety concerns, be sure to ask your host. And always trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t question it — just walk away.

Again, that applies to every travel experience. Just know what you’re getting into as much as you can before you show up. Safety first, always.

There’s no loyalty program, but you can still save with the best business credit cards

An Airbnb loyalty program is rumored to be in the works, but until it arrives,  applying for a small-business credit card  allows you to earn valuable welcome bonuses and miles and points on your Airbnb business travel.

Our favorite cards include:

• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card – Best business card overall
• Ink Business Cash Credit Card – Best business card with no annual fee
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express– Best business card for travel and airport lounge access

Check out  the full list of small-business cards . They’re our ticket to award travel — which includes cheap stays through Airbnb, even for business travel.

Bottom line

Airbnb for Work is an easy way to manage team travel, save money on lodging and bring colleagues closer together for team building and collaboration. On average, it’s 49% cheaper within the U.S. to book an Airbnb instead of a traditional hotel.

The dashboard is simple to use and offers organizational features to keep everything in one central hub. When you book through Airbnb for Work, you can expect to find fast Wi-Fi, self check-in, toiletries and flexible cancellation policies.

Airbnbs are usually reliable, but stay flexible in case your host has to cancel because of an emergency or another sudden issue. And it’s not the best option for huge corporations. The ideal client here is a small business team or a solo traveler.

Until Airbnb creates a loyalty program, you can use  the best business credit cards  to earn miles, points and valuable welcome bonuses when you travel.

It’s a viable and money-saving alternative to hotels, especially if you usually book several rooms for your team. In fact, some folks prefer it.

Have you used Airbnb for Work during your business travels? Let us know how it’s helped you and your team.

Meghan Hunter

Contributor

Meghan Hunter is an editor for Million Mile Secrets. She covers points, miles, credit cards, airlines, hotels and general travel. Her work has also appeared in The Points Guy.

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Unlocking the Business Travel Scene with Airbnb: Your Essential Guide for 2023

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Business travel can be both exciting and challenging. From finding the right accommodation to managing expenses, there are many factors to consider when planning a business trip. In recent years, Airbnb has emerged as a popular option for business travellers. In this blog, we'll explore the benefits of using Airbnb for business travel and how to make the most of the platform when planning your next trip.

Table of Contents

Why Use Airbnb for Business Travel?

• Cost-Effective: One of the main reasons business travellers opt for Airbnb is the cost savings. In many cases, renting a room or an entire apartment through Airbnb can be significantly cheaper than booking a hotel room. This can be especially beneficial for companies looking to cut costs on travel expenses. Additionally, many Airbnb properties come with amenities such as a kitchen and laundry facilities, which can save money on meals and laundry service costs.
• Flexibility: Airbnb offers a wide range of accommodation options, from private rooms to entire apartments. This flexibility allows business travellers to choose the type of accommodation that best suits their needs. For example, if you're traveling alone, a private room may be the best option. But if you're traveling with a team, an entire apartment may be more suitable.
• Local Experience: Staying in a hotel can be a bit isolating, but with Airbnb, you have the opportunity to experience the local culture and neighbourhood. Many Airbnb hosts are happy to share their local knowledge and recommendations, which can make your business trip more enjoyable and productive. Airbnb properties are often located in residential areas, providing business travelers with the opportunity to experience the local culture and neighborhood. This can be a great way to gain a more authentic and immersive experience while on a business trip, and many hosts are happy to provide local tips and recommendations.
• Amenities: Airbnb properties often come with amenities such as a kitchen and laundry facilities, which can be very convenient for business travellers. Having access to a kitchen allows you to prepare your own meals, which can be a great way to save money. And the ability to do your own laundry can be a real lifesaver on longer trips.  

How to Make the Most of Airbnb for Business Travel?

• Research: Before booking your accommodation, take the time to research different properties and read reviews from previous guests. This will help you find a property that meets your needs and has a good reputation.
• Communicate with your host: Before your trip, reach out to your host and let them know what you need. For example, if you need to check in early or need a quiet place to work, let them know. This will help ensure that your stay is as comfortable as possible.
• Take advantage of the app's features: The Airbnb app has a number of features that can make your business trip more efficient. For example, the "Notes" feature allows you to leave important information for your host, such as your arrival time or any special requests. And the "Messages" feature allows you to easily communicate with your host throughout your stay.
• Manage your expenses: Keep track of your expenses by saving your receipts and taking note of any additional costs, such as cleaning fees or extra guests. This will make it easier to manage your expenses and submit your travel expenses report when you return.
• Safety and security: It's important to ensure your safety and security during your stay. Research the neighbourhood, check the property's security features and make sure you have a way to contact the host or Airbnb support in case of an emergency.
• Business travel policies: Some companies have policies in place for their employees' business travel. Before booking your accommodation, make sure you are aware of your company's policies, and if necessary, get approval from your employer.
• How to handle last-minute changes: Business travel can be unpredictable and plans may change last-minute, it's important to have a plan in case of any changes. Airbnb's flexible cancellation policy can help in this situation, but it's always a good idea to have a backup plan in case of any unexpected changes.

How to Choose the Right Airbnb Property

• Location: When choosing a property, consider the location and its proximity to your business meetings or events. It's best to choose a property that's in a safe and convenient location, close to public transportation or within walking distance to your destination.
• Space: Consider the size of the property and the number of guests it can accommodate. For business trips, it's often best to choose a property that offers separate sleeping and living areas, as well as a workspace.
• Amenities: Check the property's amenities and make sure they meet your needs. For example, if you need a property with a kitchen or laundry facilities, look for properties that have these amenities.
• Reviews: Read reviews from previous guests to get an idea of what to expect from the property and the host. Pay attention to comments about the cleanliness, communication, and location of the property.

Making the most of your stay

Even if you are traveling for a short duration, you need to make the most of your trip. Here are three ways you can achieve that:

• Utilise the space: Make use of the property's amenities to make your stay more comfortable. For example, if the property has a kitchen, prepare your own meals to save money. And if it has laundry facilities, take advantage of them to keep your clothes clean and fresh.
• Take advantage of the host's local knowledge: Your host can be a great resource for information about the local area. Ask them for recommendations on restaurants, transportation, and things to do.
• Stay organised: Keep your business documents and travel itinerary organised and easily accessible. This will help you stay on top of your schedule and be more productive during your stay.

Tips for having a successful business trip with Airbnb

• Be prepared : Before your trip, make sure you have all the necessary information and documents, such as your business cards, travel itinerary, and contact information for your host.
• Communicate with your host: Reach out to your host before your trip to discuss your needs and any special requests. This will help ensure that your stay is as comfortable and productive as possible.
• Set boundaries : If you need a quiet place to work, let your host know. If you need privacy, let them know that too.
• Pack smartly: Pack what you need for your business trip, but also pack what you will need to make your stay comfortable.

How to handle issues or complications during your stay?

Complications can arise during any part of your trip, so you need to make sure you are at the top of your game. 

• Contact your host: If you encounter any issues or complications during your stay, reach out to your host. They will be able to help you resolve any problems and ensure that your stay is as comfortable as possible.
• Contact Airbnb support : If your host is unable to help, or if the issue is serious, contact Airbnb support. They will be able to provide assistance and help you find a solution.

How to optimise your business travel budget with Airbnb?

• Compare prices: Compare prices of Airbnb properties with hotels and other accommodation options to ensure you're getting the best deal.
• Book in advance: Book your accommodation well in advance to take advantage of early bird discounts and lower prices.
• Choose shared accommodation: If you're traveling alone, consider booking a shared room instead of a private room or entire apartment. This can be a great way to save money.
• Use the app's features: Take advantage of the app's features, such as "notes" and "messages", to communicate with your host and manage your expenses.

Airbnb has become a popular choice for business travellers due to its cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and local experience. By taking the time to research properties, communicate with your host, take advantage of the app's features, and manage your expenses, you can make the most of your business trip with Airbnb. 

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"Honestly, if I didn't have Houst, I don't think I'd have this house anymore. With Houst's help, I can focus on my busy life while they manage my Airbnb listing. Guests call this place the 'magic cottage', and Houst makes it possible to share its special charm without any stress."

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Can Employees Use Airbnb for Business Travel?

Employers should have clear and thorough travel policies

Businesses may want their employees to use house-sharing platforms—such as Airbnb—to save money on travel expenses, and employees may want to use such services for convenience and comfort. But is it a good idea?

Employment attorneys weighed in on some of the things employers should consider when creating business-travel policies, including the safety and security of employee accommodations.

There's been a significant increase in the number of employers that allow workers to use sharing-economy services for business travel, noted Gray Mateo-Harris, an attorney with Barnes & Thornburg in Chicago. It started with ride-sharing, and now house-sharing services are becoming more popular for business travel.

"Using Airbnb can give the employer—and the workers who travel—more flexibility regarding the types of accommodations, cost and even cities where they can stay," said Ann Fromholz, an attorney with The Fromholz Firm in Pasadena, Calif.

Some businesses are already identifying the benefits and risks of using such services and updating their travel policies accordingly, Mateo-Harris said. But it's not just about saving money. Some employees enjoy using sharing-economy services for personal travel and want to do the same when traveling for business. Being in touch with what employees want can increase morale and employee satisfaction, she added.

Airbnb for Business

San Francisco-based Airbnb was launched in 2008 and started as a home-sharing service for adventure travelers, but it now offers a wide range of travel options. The company has more than 4 million listings in 191 countries, according to its website.

Airbnb also targets business travelers by requiring business-friendly listings to meet certain qualifications. "We've limited the work collection to types of listings we think business travelers will love," Airbnb said on its website. "Listings under the 'for work trips' filter must be classified as an entire home or as a private room with an en suite or private bath and meet several quality standards to be included in the work collection."

The business-travel listings must maintain a 4.8 overall rating, have at least five customer reviews, provide for self-check-in and be somewhat flexible on cancellations. They also have to provide certain amenities, such as a workspace, Wi-Fi, hangers, an iron and toiletries. Starting in July, business-ready listings must have smoke detectors, too.

Employers can also use a special dashboard on the website to manage corporate travel. "An employer could use one corporate account for booking and payment that would streamline the expense process," Fromholz noted.

Airbnb did not respond to SHRM Online's request for comment.

Safety Considerations

Employers need to consider any risks associated with using home-sharing services, Mateo-Harris said. They will want to address the safety of the property and the surrounding area and will also want to make sure that sharing-economy services are legal in that jurisdiction and under any applicable collective bargaining agreements. The rules vary by city and may change. This can impact how employers use these services, she added.

"Travelers need to take equal care for their safety in hotels and Airbnb properties," Fromholz said. But employees may face additional risks when booking through Airbnb because the properties are not regulated in the same way as hotels, she noted. "Unlike hotels, for example, Airbnbs may not have staff or security who can help a traveler who might be in distress, and may not have security precautions equivalent to a hotel's."

Thorough Policies

"Employers should have policies that set forth guidelines for workers who travel, to help ensure worker safety and remind traveling workers of best practices for safety," Fromholz said.

If an employer elects to include Airbnb properties as places workers can stay during business travel, the employer should update its travel policies to include concerns specific to Airbnb properties or similar accommodations, she added. The employer should set guidelines about the type of accommodation that is appropriate. For example, perhaps workers are allowed to book apartments but not rooms in a shared house.

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"Remind workers to choose only safe areas, set pricing guidelines and have a method for workers to reach out if something goes awry," she added. "Before permitting workers to stay in Airbnb properties on business travel, the employer should check with their insurer for any restrictions and requirements to ensure ongoing coverage."

Employees should also know what to do if they arrive at a property and don't feel safe, if the property isn't accessible for a worker with a disability or if the worker is harassed by a host, Mateo-Harris said.

"Have a clear policy," she said. "Be sure to spell it out." Is there a backup plan? Should employees call a travel agent or a manager if something goes wrong? Should they make alternative arrangements themselves and sort out the details when they return?

The policy should also cover employee conduct, she added. Workers should be expected to treat the property with respect and should know what will happen if they damage the property or engage in unlawful or improper behavior.

"Whether you're an employer that has embraced the sharing economy or not, these issues are likely to come up, so be prepared to make a conscious decision about how these services fit into your travel policy and workplace culture," Mateo-Harris said.

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Signing your company up to Airbnb for Work

Joining Airbnb for Work makes it easy to book and manage company travel, with access to listings around the world for short or extended business travel. If you manage your employer’s travel or human resources department, you can enrol your company in Airbnb for Work.

Enrol your company

First, fill in the contact form . Our team will determine if your company qualifies for a corporate account.

Set up your company's account

Next, you’ll need to confirm your email address. When you do, you’ll get access to the Airbnb for Work dashboard where you can:

• Invite your employees to the Airbnb for Work programme.
• Add your company’s credit card. This gives your colleagues an easy way to pay for any work trips they book on Airbnb.

Use an existing Airbnb account to manage your company’s travel

You can access your Airbnb for Work dashboard with an existing Airbnb account. Invite employees, check upcoming and active trips, review itineraries and more.

Add colleagues to your company's account

Your unique Airbnb for Work invite page makes it easy for you to invite your employees . After they sign up, they can book places to stay for work trips.

Add an admin or trip planner

Once your employee accepts the invitation and is on board, you can change their role and give them more responsibilities, such as making them an admin or a trip planner.

Related articles

Joining your company’s airbnb for work account, joining airbnb as a company or managing company info on an account.

More From Forbes

Are business travelers using airbnb.

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While you might think that Airbnb is only for finding a place to stay for personal travel, the house-sharing network has gradually crept into the business travel arena since 2014. In fact, Airbnb has made a strong push in 2017. And, their efforts just might be paying off.

Are business travelers using Airbnb?

Popularity of Airbnb Business Has Skyrocketed

Over 250,000 companies use Airbnb for business. In 2015, only 250 companies traveled with Airbnb. That's an extremely sharp increase in only two years! Even some of the largest companies including Alphabet, Inc. (Google) and Domino's Pizza.

Fortune 500 companies are on board with Airbnb travel and this is a very encouraging sign for Airbnb. While individual, self-employed business travelers have been using Airbnb for travel since their inception, attracting the interest of the largest companies means somebody can use Airbnb every week of the month. Not only when they take a weekend trip or go on vacation.

While 90% of Airbnb revenue stems from personal stays and tourism activities, over $296 billion is spent on corporate travel within the United States alone. Business travel is Airbnb's "next frontier" as they try to provide reasonably priced accommodations with a personal touch.

In fact, Airbnb has become such a popular travel option, Airbnb is more valuable than many longtime hotel brands.

It's true it's a negative that you can't earn hotel status or rewards points on stays, but it's still possible to  earn and redeem rewards points on Airbnb stays.

Airbnb's Business Travel Ready

Airbnb has become a popular option for business travel for a few reasons:

• You don't have to stay in a stale hotel room
• Rates can be cheaper than a hotel stay
• Easier to extend stay for personal travel for an extended weekend

Now, Airbnb lets you search for properties that are "Business Travel Ready" and will only show houses and apartments with internet, a laptop-ready workspace, 24/7 self-check-in, and travel essentials like hair dryers, shampoo, and an iron.

Airbnb also requires Business Travel Ready properties to be allergen-friendly. It's recommended that properties do not have pets and are smoke-free.

Finally, business-ready listings must also be an entire home or apartment. Business listings also require a specific number of positive reviews from established hosts.

A business trip might be the first time many people have stayed at an Airbnb property and they want to make sure they have everything they need for corporate travel which can be much different than casual personal travel for tourism.

Rent an Entire House For You or Your Team

As a tourist, you might use Airbnb to share a spare bedroom in a host's house. Business travelers using Airbnb can book an entire house or apartment just for themselves or to have multiple rooms for the rest of the team as well.

This allows the entire team to sleep under one roof which can be cheaper than separate hotel rooms. And, it also provides the opportunity to work in a common area work or have fun together.

For long-term projects, Airbnb business homes can also be more effective than extended stay hotels as you get an entire kitchen and a more home-like atmosphere. In short, business travelers prefer Airbnb for business travel because the accommodations can be more relaxing.

Once again, these houses are pet-free and smoke-free and provide the basic travel essentials you would find at a hotel. Experienced Airbnb guests and first-time Airbnb guest can come to expect hotel amenities with the Airbnb level of comfort.

Check-In Whenever You Arrive

If you travel after finishing work for the day, you might arrive at the Airbnb property at a late hour. As some hosts meet personal travelers at check-in, this could have been a deterrent for business travelers in the past.

Now, business travelers using Airbnb can check-in whenever they arrive because Business Travel Ready Listings are self-check-in. You can enter just by using a keypad, lock box, or a doorman that is on the premises at all times.

One-Click Expensing

Airbnb has also made it easier for business travelers that need to bill lodging expenses directly to the company instead of being reimbursed on their personal card. While some companies will still continue to contract with lodging companies that only work with hotels, other companies are more flexible as the corporate environment changes as millennial and Generation X workers climb the ladder and travel for business.

One-click expensing is another reason that over 250,000 companies have partnered with Airbnb for business travel.

Airbnb Has a Corporate Dashboard

For corporate clients, Airbnb also has rolled out a travel database that allows a travel manager to schedule travel reservations, pay invoices, and reimburse employees for their Airbnb stays. Airbnb knows that to attract business travelers, they have to make it easy for companies to pay for stays if they have policies prohibiting individual employees from booking a reservation.

Airbnb is Offering a Business Travel Credit

Get a credit for using Airbnb business travel.

To sweeten the pot, Airbnb is also offering a travel credit after confirming your work email address and take your first business trip. After that, you will get a travel credit that can be used on your next Airbnb stay.

If you're responsible for booking your own travel on Airbnb, this is one of the very few ways you can get "free" money from Airbnb.

Booking a Business Trip on Airbnb

To book a business trip on Airbnb, you first need to register your work email address if your company has registered with Airbnb. After that, you can search properties that are Business Travel Ready to find a property that will provide the necessary work amenities and privacy without sacrificing the Airbnb experience.

As a first-time business traveler, you will receive a travel credit that will save you money on your next trip.

If you don't have a work address, perhaps you are self-employed, you can book a trip as usual. Booking it on a business credit card can make it easier to track your travel expenses for tax-time.

As more companies continue to join Airbnb to provide more travel options, it's inevitable that more business travelers will use Airbnb. While you might not be able to earn hotel rewards, the atmosphere that comes from staying at an actual house or apartment can be a worthy tradeoff. And, Airbnb is adding an extra incentive for business travelers with their travel credit promotions. Plus, it's still possible to earn and redeem rewards points on Airbnb stays. 

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The Pros and Cons of Booking Airbnb for Work Travel Around the Globe

Home-share services are an alternative to traditional hotels, but is booking Airbnb for work travel really the best option?

Have you considered booking Airbnb for work travel? If so, you’re not alone. For some time now, home-share services have been popular in major global cities like London, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo and New York City. But the popularity of booking Airbnb for work travel is really catching on, and home sharing for work is on the rise in some decidedly non-traditional locations:

• Mar Del Plata, Argentina (624% increase year-over-year)
• Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (465%)
• Aguascalientes, Mexico (594%)
• Gwangju, Korea (520%)
• Guarujá, Brazil (594%)

Given these growth statistics, it looks like the popularity of booking Airbnb for work travel is only going to proliferate worldwide. Right now, it may remain difficult to find a quality home-share option in smaller, less-traveled locations. Give it a few years, though, and we may see a significant shift.

Why are so many travelers opting to book Airbnb and other home-share options when traveling for work? Consider these pros and cons:

1. Lower Your Costs (In Many Cases)

Airbnb and other home-share services can provide significant savings. This is especially true if you’re willing to rent a private bedroom rather than a full house or apartment. Of course, one of the cons of home-share is that not all business travelers are willing to rent a private bedroom, which may give traditional hotels an advantage in such situations.

2. Enhance Your Overall Comfort

We’ve all spent a miserable night sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress at a hotel, right? Airbnb options often enhance the comfort of business travelers. To the extent that home-share reviews and ratings weed out uncomfortable experiences, you may get better rest through Airbnb.

That said, the quality of home-share situations remains more volatile than staying at a hotel. While hotels may not be as comfortable as home-share options in general, at least you know what to expect — and at least the front desk is just a phone call away. As an added benefit, hotels provide daily housekeeping, fresh towels and other perks, whereas home-share options typically do not.

3. Make Your Trip More Convenient

Last-minute trips can make it hard to book a hotel room, especially when there’s a major event going on in your destination city. Airbnb often includes more options in last-minute situations when hotel rooms are hard to come by.

4. Enhance Your Health

Here’s one of the most underrated benefits of choosing Airbnb and other home-share services: It’s easier to make healthy decisions . Airbnb include full kitchens in most cases, and they often include basics like olive oil and seasonings. A quick trip to the grocery store, and you can make a meal that’s far healthier than having a burger at the hotel bar.

5. Experience the Local Culture

When you choose a home-share setup, you’re able to live more like a local and immerse yourself in the area’s culture. If you simply go to the grocery store (as mentioned above) you’ve done more to mingle with the locals than most business travelers. Airbnb and other home-share options allow a better path for getting to know a city and what makes it unique.

Of course, experience isn’t always a priority for work travelers. If you want only to get the job done, staying at a hotel right next to the office where your meetings will take place may be the ideal option.

Stretch Your Travel Spend With JTB Business Travel

Reducing travel spend and increasing traveler convenience and comfort are always priorities for companies. At JTB Business Travel, we provide services that reinforce those priorities, helping to save on travel spend while enhancing the travel experience. We can use our common sense approach to business travel to help you stretch your spend.

Contact us today to learn more about our services.

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Airbnb vs Hotel Accommodation for Business Travel

Today’s business travelers may find themselves weighing the pros and cons of Airbnb vs hotel stays when planning trips for work.

It’s undeniable that Airbnb has made a notable impact on business travel itineraries. Certify , an automated travel and expense management software, has tracked Airbnb’s exponential growth over time, noting in its 2017 report that work travel bookings on Airbnb have multiplied by two every year since 2014. Yet, while Airbnb is gaining traction in the road warrior community, hotels still dominate business travel expense reports. In fact, when it comes to pinning down what’s so appealing about Airbnb vs hotel stays for business travelers, you’ll find that one isn’t necessarily better than the other. Rather, they each meet different and unique needs of work travel.

Airbnb Top Amenities

Airbnb’s unique benefits check off a lot of boxes that business travelers may not have even known they needed, expanding the way we travel for business. These are just a few highlights of Airbnb stays:

• Cozy spaces & additional facilities

Healthy Eating

Value for Money

• Travel with coworkers or long-term

Cozy Spaces & Additional Facilities

Obviously, Airbnb gets a gold medal in the atmosphere department. More and more travelers are forgoing bland, one-room hotel accommodations for spacious and cozy Airbnbs. With home touches and additional facilities, like kitchen access and secluded work spaces, we understand why.

Since most Airbnbs provide guests with access to some type of cooking facilities, business travelers can stop eating out for every single meal. It will save the corporate card a few bucks, and will save the traveler a few calories. Instead of a quick fast-food stop between meetings or a heavy dinner from the hotel restaurant, road warriors can prepare everything from snacks to lunch as though they’re in their own home.

In general, Airbnb will get you more bang for your buck, and often at lower prices. While budget hotel prices do rival those of Airbnbs, the expanded amenities available in the latter accommodation make the choice obvious. And so long as you aren’t renting out an apartment with unnecessary extras, you should, for the most part, be saving money with Airbnb.

Travel with Coworkers or Long-Term

For single person, short-term trips, road warriors can comfortably weigh their options for Airbnb vs hotel accommodations. But when it comes to other types of business travel, like trips that require multiple team members or long-term stays, Airbnb is almost always the better option. Splitting an apartment with two or three bedrooms beats expensing multiple hotel rooms, and week-long conferences are better spent in a space where you can feel at home.

Tried & True Hotel Benefits

There’s still much to love about hotel stays for business travel:

• Rewards programs
• Guaranteed Privacy
• Transport connections

Rewards Programs

One area of hotel amenities that Airbnb has yet to match is loyalty programs. While an Airbnb rewards system is slated to be introduced sometime in the future, it is unknown how connected their program will be compared to that of hotel brands.

Popular chains like Marriott and Hilton are partnered with top names across the travel industry. Rewards can be earned and transferred across bookings with partnered airlines, car rental companies, restaurants and more. For frequent travelers, this type of flexibility will be tough to match.

Airbnb may own the food realm of a healthy travel lifestyle, but hotels have an edge when it comes to exercise. As most come equipped with fitness facilities, travelers have an opportunity to get in a holistic workout before or after a day of meetings.  While running and packing lightweight fitness gear is always a good fallback, the range of equipment provided onsite by hotel gyms may simply be more convenient.

With Airbnb, you can rent out a few types of accommodations, and business travelers will likely opt for entire apartments or a private room in a home shared with the host. For the latter option, private rooms may come with shared bathrooms and other facilities. You’re not guaranteed privacy with every Airbnb booking, and sometimes the cost of your own apartment can mean hotel-level prices.

Transport Connections

From airport shuttles to nearby public transit options, accommodations built for travelers are generally better situated to connect guests with the surrounding area. With Airbnb, work travelers will have to make sure they’re within walking distance of their meetings or that a bus stop is nearby. Regardless, both will likely require a few Lyft or Uber rides.

Where Both Airbnb & Hotels Make a Splash

For the moment, there’s no huge Airbnb vs. hotel competition in regards to these amenities:

• Flexible check-in and check-out times

Overall Wellness

Some hotels do still charge for Internet access in room, whereas most average humans have Wifi in their homes and are willing to extend that access to Airbnb guests. However, wherever Internet isn’t available in a hotel, its loyalty program benefits will probably make up for it, providing members with unlimited access across the property.

Flexible Check-In/Out

When it comes to flexible check-in and check-out times, it’s typically on a case by case basis for both accommodations. Airbnb hosts will occasionally let you in or out at your desired time, depending on when the previous guests have left. Some hosts may even designate a checkout time of noon, whereas most hotels will kick you out by 11. But again, hotel rewards systems will often provide additional benefits like flexible check-in/out, so for the moment, it’s still pretty even.

In the end, when it comes to your well-being on the road, both Airbnbs and hotels have benefits and drawbacks that may simply come down to your personal preference. Whip up a healthy meal in your host’s kitchen, or take advantage of the weights provided in the hotel gym. You can always compensate for missing amenities with a jog, healthy restaurant visit, and more.

Have something to say about Airbnb vs hotel accommodations for business travel? Comment and share your experience with each!

Business Travel Life

Business Travel Life is an online resource supporting the road warrior lifestyle. We give business travelers the tools they need to maintain their wellness and productivity when traveling. The topics we cover include business travel tips, travel workouts, healthy travel hacks, travel products, general travel tips, and industry trends. Our goal is to make business travel a healthier experience – and to make healthy travel practices more accessible to all road warriors.

Mellisa Pascale

Mellisa is a writer and traveler. She’s studied in London, backpacked in Europe, and road-tripped around Iceland. Most recently, her travels took her to New Zealand, where she worked and volunteered while participating in the Working Holiday Visa program.

Business Travel 101: Avis Preferred

Business travel 101: admirals club.

As someone who tags along on her spouse’s business travel while working remotely, the home-like atmosphere of an Airbnb is very attractive. The wifi is often better as well. Hotels are nice for short vacation breaks. In addition to the workout facilities, the one thing that can’t be beat with a nice hotel is there is often a pool. An early morning swim is a singular pleasure.

Hi Deb, Thanks for your comment. That is a great point. I am sure Airbnb is much more comfortable for working remotely!

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Get your Airbnb ‘Business Travel Ready’

Business travel is one of Airbnb’s major growth areas and as an Airbnb host, the business market is a lucrative one to tap into.

But why? The potential for long-term bookings and higher rates are just a couple of reasons why hosts are aiming it. GuestReady guides you.

Why business travellers for your Airbnb?

Airbnb’s Jonathan Liebtag commented on the massive business market for the company, saying Airbnb is “up to 30%” cheaper than booking hotels.

Business is a define growth area; even business guests want more unique and spacious accommodation for their trips now and the savings for the companies paying are also compelling.

Business travellers are looking for a new approach to travel; they no longer want to on their own in a cookie-cutter hotel room, they want the opportunity to immerse themselves in the area they are travelling to fully.

They usually stay longer

Business guests usually stay longer – so instead of a weekend break – it’s more likely to be for the week. This is a major benefit for Airbnb hosts , meaning less work on their side and having more long-term stays makes organisation and transactions smoother and more seamless. Being Business Travel Ready as a host is key for these bookings.

Businesses will book regardless of higher rates

Business guests usually have bigger budgets than your average traveller as they are using company dollars.

So if you are finding it hard to get leisure guests during more expensive periods, then business guests won’t have the same expenditure issues – meaning you get a booking over that period anyway.

Companies are now seeing the huge savings when using Airbnb instead of hotels, especially for team travel.

[bctt tweet=”Airbnb Business guests usually have bigger budgets than the average traveller – so get your listing ‘Business Ready’!” via=”no”]

There’s likely to be less damage than leisure guests

If someone is a business guest, it’s most likely that the space will be left in better condition than most leisure guests with children or party people.

The focus is work and not play, which makes Jack a dull boy but makes an Airbnb host a happy one. It’s a win-win.

How do you attract business travelers?

How do you get your Airbnb ‘verified’ or open it for business travelers? Here’s the skinny: Business Travel Ready listings must be an entire home or apartment and the correct property type (see the list on Airbnb including houses, flats, villas, etc).

The listing must be non-smoking and there must be no pets. 

If a pet usually lives at the house, hosts must ensure it is fully cleaned before the business guest arrives, to cater to any guests sensitivities or allergies.

Every abode must have at least 3 star rated reviews and responded to 90% of booking requests within 24 hours over the last year, to be eligible for Business Travel Ready status.

They must also have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; Airbnb can provide these for free .

Other amenities that should be included for business are WiFi, a workspace, self check-in (a key lock box, keypad, smart lock or doorman), essentials such as toilet paper, clean towels and linen), hangers, a hair dryer and iron and shampoo.

In short, your listing will need:

• Wireless Internet
• A laptop-friendly workspace
• Self check-in (this includes a key lockbox, doorman, keypad, or smartlock)
• A smoke detector
• A carbon monoxide detector
• Essentials (toilet paper, clean towels, and fresh linens)
• A hair dryer

In addition to that, going the extra mile with some not-so-standard Airbnb amenities does wonders for your overall guest rating.

Cancellations

Hosts may not cancel any business reservations within 7 days and if a host breaches this rule they cannot be Business Travel Ready for year.

Does your Airbnb listing have the Business Travel Ready check-mark already?

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What to Know About Airbnb for Business Travel

Last week at its annual Airbnb Open conference, the world’s largest  home-sharing company announced a new set of features designed to attract corporate travelers. 

Airbnb will now designate select properties as “Business Travel Ready” when they satisfy a list of requirements based on the needs of corporate travelers and their employers. To be certified as Business Travel Ready, an Airbnb listing must meet defined standards for:

• Business Amenities  – The property must have WiFi, laptop-friendly workspace, and guaranteed key access.
• Home Type  – The listing must be for the entire home or apartment, with no smoking or pets.
• Host Quality  – The host must have the maximum rating of five stars on at least 60% of reviews, with at least three reviews.
• Responsiveness  – The host must respond to 90% of all booking requests within 24 hours.
• Commitment  – Hosts may not cancel any confirmed business reservations within seven days.

This new certification system comes four months after the rollout of Airbnb for Business, which the home-sharing service is promoting as a way to supply corporate travel programs with the same range of tools offered by hotels, including central billing, employee tracking, and consolidated expense reporting. 

Airbnb has invested heavily to make its service more attractive to business travelers. But with all due respect to Kevin Costner’s ghost dad in Field of Dreams,  the questions remains: now that Airbnb’s built it, will business travelers come?

Airbnb means business

Airbnb has made the coporate market a priority. In his excellent  overview of Airbnb’s evolving business travel strategy , Greg Oates of  Skift  wrote that Airbnb has identified business travel as one of three primary growth areas, along with Chinese tourism and non-urban destinations:

In his presentation at Airbnb Open, Jonathan Liebtag, the company’s business development lead, noted that over 30% of hotel bookings are for business travelers – which he says represents a $120 billion dollar market – but only 10% of Airbnb guests are traveling on business. “We’re really excited about business travel and Airbnb,” he enthused. “So we think it’s a huge opportunity for the company to reach a new set of travelers.”

Already there are signs Airbnb is having success reaching that new set of travelers.  Liebtag  highlighted Google, Salesforce.com, and Vox Media as some of the clients who have incorporated Airbnb intro their travel programs. In August, o ne month after introducing Airbnb for Business, Airbnb  announced that over 1,000 companies had signed up , and declared that  “the corporate community’s response to our Business Travel program has been staggering.” 

Of course the vast majority of business travelers stay in hotels, but use of home-sharing is growing exponentially.  Data compiled by Certify , a travel and expense management solution, shows that Airbnb bookings increased 143% from Q1 to Q2 in 2015. Renting a home or apartment is particularly popular in some cities and use cases, such as extended trips and new employee relocations. Certify’s figures show that business travelers stay in Airbnb for longer than they do in hotels (3.8 nights on average, compared to 2.1 for hotels), and that their most common destinations were San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle. 

Several other factors are helping to establish Airbnb as a viable alternative to traditional hotels within corporate travel programs. 

Short term rentals are on firmer legal footing after a series of favorable local election outcomes and regulatory decisions in cities such as San Francisco, Philadelphia, and London.

Additionally, a slew of mergers and new market entrants in the travel industry have led many companies to reevaluate which approved vendors they include in their programs. In a world where Marriott is merging with Starwood , and Ubers are replacing taxis, travel managers are finding it necessary to keep an open mind about what services employees use.

It’s also important to note that for companies open to the use of the sharing economy, Airbnb presents an opportunity for significant cost savings. Rocketrip travelers who book an Airbnb beat their hotel budgets by an average of $110 a night. 

Rocketrip motivates employees to spend less on business trips by letting them keep half of what they save, but Airbnb claims that even in the absence of this incentive, it can reduce a company’s travel expenses significantly. “We show the average daily rate that [travel managers] are getting on Airbnb so they can take that and compare it directly to what they’re paying at hotels,” said Leibtag, the business development lead. “Not surprisingly, they’re saving a ton of money at Airbnb. Hotels just cannot compete with that, which is usually around a 30% savings.”

Can Homes Be the New Hotels? 

For Airbnb to compete with the Marriotts, Hiltons, and other behemoths of the business travel market, it will have to win over two key groups: corporate travelers and corporate travel managers. 

The company’s value proposition for travelers is well-honed: home rental provides a more relaxed, personalized, and authentic guest experience. 

“The unspoken truth here is that business travelers are some of the loneliest people on the planet,” suggested Liebtag.  “It’s all about the sense of care, purpose and belonging that business travelers don’t really get at hotels,” said Liebtag. “There’s a higher lever of hospitality with Airbnb.”

Travelers’ managers might be a tougher sell. 

In Skift , travel industry writer Greg Oates ventures that “Airbnb has its work cut out to convince corporations at scale that the sharing economy is a safe, secure and legally prudent option for their employees,” but adds that “as much of this has to do with perception as it does with operations and human resources.” 

With its Airbnb for Business dashboard, and the Business Travel Ready property certification, Airbnb hopes to meet corporate standards for reporting, booking, billing, and duty of care. 

At Rocketrip, we’ve seen many clients reduce expenses and increase employee satisfaction by introducing elements of the sharing economy into their programs. Other companies elect to take a more cautious approach. To learn more about designing a travel policy that works for your company and its employees, check out our post on the Rocketrip blog, and get in touch to schedule a free demo.

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4 of the best practices and 4 of the worst mistakes employees make when traveling for business

• Employees traveling for work can make their time on the road more pleasant with a few practices. 
• For a successful trip, business travelers should eat healthily, prioritize sleep, and pack wisely. 
• This article is part of " Business Travel Playbook ," a series about making the most of work travel.

Business travel continues to rebound from the early stages of the pandemic as employees take more work trips.

A 2023 US Travel Association  survey of 2,379 business travelers  found that the average number of monthly trips the respondents expected to take was around three — a slight bump compared to two trips a month the previous year.

With professionals traveling more for work , Business Insider talked to three frequent business travelers about their successful habits and a few things they avoid when on the go.

4 habits of successful business travelers:

1. practicing good hygiene.

While this might seem obvious, Donzella Burton , the owner of a center for assisted-living healthcare and training, said that if you're going to be taking frequent business trips, it's important to prioritize your health by practicing good hygiene.

"I travel for business once or twice a month, depending on the season," she said. "I wash my hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating or touching my face. If soap and water are not available, I try to make sure I have alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content."

2. Eating healthily and exercising

While business travel can disrupt your routines, eating healthier meals and drinking plenty of water can help you feel more energized . Michael Murray, the CEO of the electronics manufacturer Kopin Corp., travels at least twice a month for business and said that eating healthy meals could be tough, especially when his flights arrive late at night.

"By the time I arrive, many hotels have shut down room service at 9 p.m.," he said. "If it's late, I tend to order from a food-delivery app while I'm en route to my hotel and focus on ordering from places with great ratings, natural food, and decent salads."

Carving out time to exercise on the road is also important because exercise has the potential to boost immune responses and keep energy levels high .

"I invested in some lightweight running/workout shoes which are easy to pack and some workout gear that is light and breathable so I can use it often," Murray said. "When I travel, I choose hotels for their gym equipment, access to walking paths, or access to a nearby fitness chain that offers day passes. I've also downloaded several fitness apps if I need to work out in my hotel room."

3. Enrolling in airline security programs

If you know you'll be flying often, look into signing up for an airline security program to save time before your flight.

"I recommend utilizing TSA PreCheck or Clear," Anneleah Williams-Bridges, a hospital executive and healthcare consultant who travels weekly for her job, said. "These are options to help fast-track your security-check-in process during high travel times and are a valuable time saver that will help you bypass the heavier foot traffic of all the other business travelers."

Both TSA PreCheck and Clear are often great for domestic flyers and can reduce time spent in airport security lines. TSA PreCheck users get access to a separate, shorter security line, and Clear users can jump to the front of the security line after verifying their ID and boarding pass.

4. Prioritizing sleep

While it might be tempting to use all your downtime to tackle more tasks on your to-do list and work late into the night, getting sleep is essential for a successful work trip.

"Don't be brave. You don't get a medal for 'burning through the day' without sleeping," Murray said. "I used to fly to the UK and Ireland and go straight to the office from the overnight flight, which from the East Coast is just enough time to sleep for an hour or two, maybe. In the long run, running on a few hours of sleep wasn't effective for me, my team, and the business."

4 things successful business travelers avoid:

1. overpacking.

Wanting to be prepared for anything is understandable, but don't go overboard with stuffing your suitcase . Overpacking can result in a cluttered hotel room — and you'll likely have to check a bag, which can slow down your commute.

"Packing light is a great way to make it through the airport quicker," Williams-Bridges said. "Only using carry-on luggage for business travel ensures that you can board the plane, exit the plane, and go directly to your destination without waiting for a checked bag. This can save you about an hour and a half of time during your commute."

2. Overplanning

Another successful habit is to avoid overplanning. Burton said that while it's important to have a general idea of what you want to accomplish on a business trip, you should leave room in your schedule for downtime and avoid scheduling back-to-back meetings or events.

"Overplanning every minute of a business trip can lead to unnecessary stress and can hinder the potential for spontaneous discoveries or relaxation," Burton said. "Scheduling downtime allows me to decompress and can offer valuable opportunities for self-care and personal reflection."

3. Booking the cheapest flight

Burton said you should stick to one airline to take advantage of loyalty points if you travel at least once a month. The benefits of joining an airline loyalty program include upgraded seating, lounge access, and priority boarding.

To make things easier, business travelers should also try to book the best direct flights and not opt for the least expensive flight because "sometimes you get what you pay for," Williams-Bridges said, adding that cheaper flights could mean a travel experience riddled with complications like excessive delays.

"I also avoid traveling on holidays, which can be cost-effective," she said. "Lastly, I try to avoid connecting flights, which could add unnecessary flight time to your trip."

4. Consuming too much alcohol

While many business meetings and client dinners can include a glass or two of wine, excessive drinking could result in impaired judgment or a hangover.

"While it's OK to enjoy a drink or two with colleagues or clients, be mindful of alcohol consumption and its impact on your overall health and energy levels," Burton said. "Opt for lighter options like wine or spritzers, and alternate alcoholic beverages with water to stay hydrated."

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Hidden Cameras: What Travelers Need to Know

We talked to security and privacy experts about Airbnb’s new ban on surveillance cameras, your privacy rights and how to find a hidden camera.

By Elaine Glusac

This month, Airbnb announced that, starting April 30, the company would ban the use of surveillance cameras in its rentals. The news was welcomed by those concerned about privacy.

“Cameras are both creepy and a threat,” said Albert Fox Cahn, the executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project , which has campaigned for a ban on cameras in Airbnbs since 2022. “People are terrified about having their intimate moments photographed without their consent and having owners able to monitor their activities within a rental.”

For many travelers, Airbnb’s new policy has prompted some fundamental questions: What were the cameras doing there in the first place? And what are travelers’ rights when it comes to privacy in hotels and rental homes?

Public use of cameras

Cameras, of course, are everywhere in public life, from the self-checkout kiosks at big-box retailers to airport terminals.

Like other businesses, hotels and vacation rentals use surveillance cameras for two reasons, said Michael McCall, a Hilton Hotels Fellow in the School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University: To protect their customers and their property.

A traveler might feel more secure getting to a hotel room or rental apartment with a security camera in a hallway, for example. And a hotel or host might use cameras to monitor property damage or theft, though the question of whether surveillance is effective in preventing crime is a longstanding debate between privacy and safety advocates.

“There’s a balance between ‘How do I protect my stuff’ and at the same time not intrude on the expected privacy of the guest,” Mr. McCall said. “Airbnb said the inside is off-limits.”

States vary on whether and what degree of consent is required for surveillance, and there are different rules for audio and video recording.

“U.S. privacy law is fragmented at best,” wrote Doris DelTosto Brogan, a law professor and the Heller McGuinness Endowed Leadership Chair at Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law, in Villanova, Penn., in an email. She noted that some federal privacy statutes apply to all states, but that each state can develop its own privacy laws.

Airbnb previously navigated these shoals by requiring that indoor cameras in common spaces, such as hallways and kitchens, had to be disclosed to the renter.

Since 2022, the short-term rental platform Vrbo has banned the use of indoor cameras except for those that are disclosed to guests and can be deactivated by them.

In a statement, the American Hotel and Lodging Association , which represents 80 percent of all franchised hotels in the United States, said surveillance cameras in hotels should be limited to common areas — like lobbies and pools — for security purposes.

‘Reasonable expectation of privacy’

Though regulations vary by state, more legal protections cover nonconsensual videotaping in private areas such as bedrooms and bathrooms.

At the federal level, the Video Voyeurism Prevention Act of 2004 prohibits “knowingly videotaping, photographing, filming, recording by any means, or broadcasting an image of a private area of an individual, without that individual’s consent, under circumstances in which that individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy.”

Many states as well as federal laws hinge on the expectation of privacy. “So that would be often, for example, a bedroom or a bathroom, but not necessarily a common area like a living room,” said Raymond Ku, the John Homer Kapp Professor of Law at Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio.

But it’s the illegal use of hidden cameras that have shocked travelers.

Earlier this month, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin attendant was arrested on federal charges for producing and possessing child pornography by installing video cameras inside guests’ bathrooms and capturing intimate images of passengers as young as 10.

In February, a man was arrested in Palm Beach County, in Florida, on charges of video voyeurism for surreptitiously videotaping 16 different people, sometimes at Airbnb locations.

In September, a 14-year-old passenger on an American Airlines plane discovered an iPhone taped to a toilet seat that her family said a flight attendant had installed .

Legal and security experts believe such invasions are the exceptions, considering the millions of people who travel daily, but that they warrant vigilance.

“People who want to use cameras for nefarious reasons are still in the game,” said Kenneth Bombace, the chief executive of the intelligence firm Global Threat Solutions , describing a new generation of recording devices that are small, subtle and inexpensive.

How to find hidden cameras

In his business, Mr. Bombace uses high-tech devices to conduct searches — from hotel rooms to corporate boardrooms — for hidden recording devices.

For travelers without a high profile or celebrity status, he recommends a “common-sense search of a location.”

This includes looking for small recording devices or telltale lenses in anything connected to a power source such as a clock radio, power outlets themselves and battery-charged electronics such as smoke detectors and Bluetooth speakers. Turn off the lights and use a flashlight — a cellphone flashlight will do — to look for flashing lights that might reveal a camera.

If you’re uncertain, you can throw a towel over an electronic device or tape over the outlets.

Because many recording devices require an internet connection to stream images, check the Wi-Fi network for any connected devices and ask the homeowner or manager what they are. Apps such as Network Analyzer and Ubiquiti WiFiman will scan networks and detect connected devices.

Numerous portable gadgets on Amazon priced at less than $150 claim to detect hidden cameras.

“None of the technologies are 100 percent effective, but they mitigate and lower the chances of a recording device going undetected,” Mr. Bombace said.

What recourse do you have?

If you find a hidden camera in a hotel room or short-term rental, gather evidence by taking pictures or videos and contacting the police. Then, find new accommodations.

Airbnb directs guests to report privacy violations to its customer support team . Vrbo does the same, noting on its website that if you leave a property because of the violation, “the host may be required to refund the entirety of the stay” and could be kicked off the platform.

Hosts still have methods to ensure their property rules aren’t being abused. Both Vrbo and Airbnb allow hosts to use devices outdoors that measure sound decibels without recording conversations if they are disclosed to renters. Vrbo cites their use as fending off potential noise complaints from neighbors. Airbnb, which has a ban on party houses , says the devices may detect “unauthorized parties.”

The platforms still allow external cameras at rental properties as long as they are disclosed to the guest before arrival. The disclosure is usually included in the listing, and the device should not be used to peep indoors. Vrbo goes even further regarding outdoor pool cameras, requiring notice both in property descriptions and on site.

You’ve been warned: Spontaneous skinny-dipping in the pool could be captured on camera.

Elaine Glusac is the Frugal Traveler columnist, focusing on budget-friendly tips and journeys.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

Italy :  Spend 36 hours in Florence , seeking out its lesser-known pockets.

Southern California :  Skip the freeways to explore the back roads between Los Angeles and Los Olivos , a 100-mile route that meanders through mountains, canyons and star-studded enclaves.

Mongolia : Some young people, searching for less curated travel experiences, are flocking to the open spaces of this East Asian nation .

Romania :  Timisoara  may be the most noteworthy city you’ve probably never heard of , offering just enough for visitors to fill two or three days.

India: A writer fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting Darjeeling, in the Himalayan foothills , taking in the tea gardens and riding a train through the hills.

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

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Airbnb delivers more than $10B in tourism taxes on behalf of Hosts

Key Takeaways

• Airbnb has collected and remitted more than $10B in tourism-related taxes to governments on behalf of our global Host community.
• In 2023, Hosts in the US and Canada generated $2.2B taxes in the US and $319 million in Canada respectively.

Airbnb Hosts around the world have welcomed more than 1.5 billion guest arrivals. By opening up their homes, Hosts can provide affordable accommodation options for guests, help communities reap the economic benefits from travel, and generate billions in economic activity and tax revenue for local communities. Since 2014, we’ve worked with governments around the world to help Hosts with the collection and remittance of tourism taxes.

We’re proud to share that we have collected and remitted more than $10 billion in tourism-related taxes to governments on behalf of our global Host community. Cities leverage these tourism tax dollars to fund various initiatives – from destination marketing to critical services such as police, infrastructure, and libraries. 

As jurisdictions in the US and Canada manage budget deficits, the tourism taxes generated by stays on Airbnb continue to be a valuable source of revenue for many communities. In 2023 alone, Hosts in the US and Canada generated approximately $2.4 billion USD in tourism taxes – that includes $2.2 billion in the US and $319 million in Canada respectively. 1  

Below is a snapshot of the total tourism taxes collected and remitted on behalf of Hosts in 2023: 

• Florida: $387 million
• California: $212 million
• Tennessee: $135 million 
• North Carolina: $125 million 
• Georgia: $98  million
• Texas: $98 million
• Colorado: $94 million 
• Arizona: $87 million 
• Washington: $78 million 
• Virginia: $53  million
• Federal GST/HST: $164 million
• British Columbia: $93 million
• Quebec: $15 million
• Manitoba: $2 million 
• Saskatchewan: $1 million
• Toronto: $11 million
• Mississauga: $1 million
• Ottawa: $1 million

Our support for sensible tax collection policies

Airbnb is a leader in advocating for solutions that allow short-term rental platforms to collect and remit tourism taxes on behalf of Hosts— initially through Voluntary Collection Agreements (VCAs) and more recently by working with lawmakers on streamlined centralized tax collection laws.

Laws mandating centralized collection of local taxes by short-term rental platforms ensure all short-term platforms collect and remit tourism taxes on behalf of Hosts at scale while making it easier for local governments to collect a number of taxes, including sales taxes, tourism taxes, and local accommodation taxes. 

As more communities welcome their first Airbnb guests and localities face mounting budget challenges , streamlined tax collection systems are more important than ever to help ensure cities and states more efficiently collect all applicable tourism taxes. In general, governments tend to see more revenue when they implement practical rules that allow platforms to collect and remit taxes on behalf of Hosts. For example, after Tennessee and Arizona passed legislation to implement centralized tax collection systems, Tennessee saw an increase of approximately 320 percent 2 in the amount of taxes collected. 

Whether we’re collecting and remitting taxes on behalf of our Hosts, or streamlining the collection process into a growing source of revenue for emerging travel hubs, we’ll continue to work closely with governments to unlock the full potential of citizen-led tourism and travel.  

Airbnb bans indoor security cameras for properties listed on its platform

Airbnb is banning indoor security cameras from rental properties listed on its site, citing privacy concerns.

The platform had allowed cameras in common areas like hallways and living rooms as long as they were clearly mentioned in a property's listings.

Those will now be banned, too.

“Our goal was to create new, clear rules that provide our community with greater clarity about what to expect on Airbnb," Juniper Downs, Airbnb’s head of community policy and partnerships, said in a release. "These changes were made in consultation with our guests, Hosts and privacy experts, and we’ll continue to seek feedback to help ensure our policies work for our global community.”

Airbnb said the new rules would be likely to affect only a "smaller subset" of listings given that most properties don't have cameras.

The company is also revising its rules about outdoor security cameras and other devices, like noise decibel monitors. All of them must now be disclosed in property listings.

The privacy advocacy group Surveillance Technology Oversight Project praised the move.

“No one should have to worry about being recorded in a rental, whether the bedroom, the living room, or a hall,” Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn said in a release. “Getting rid of these cameras is a clear win for privacy and safety, and we know that these recording devices are ripe for abuse."

Airbnb shares have nearly doubled after they hit a low in December 2022 amid still-healthy demand, though the company also has announced stock purchases that cause the price to go up. Even as there were a record 99 million bookings in its most recent quarter, Airbnb said in a release that it is looking to "reinvent" itself over the next several years.

“I think that Airbnb can go far beyond travel in the coming years, but I think we’re going to start with our core," CEO Brian Chesky said, according to T he Financial Times . "We’ll start with travel, and then down the road we can move beyond travel."

Rob Wile is a breaking business news reporter for NBC News Digital.

How To Start an Airbnb in 8 Steps

Updated: March 11, 2024

Published: July 24, 2023

Once upon a time, hotels were the dominant choice for tourists looking for overnight stays. Now, six in 10 travelers prefer Airbnbs over hotels, with the platform boasting 6m+ listings in 100k+ cities worldwide.

If you want to capitalize on this booming market, you first need to learn how to start an Airbnb — a solid, profitable choice when figuring out how to start a business .

Table of contents:

What is Airbnb?

How to start an airbnb business, how much does it cost to start an airbnb, are airbnbs profitable.

Started in 2007 by Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, Airbnb is a platform that connects hosts to travelers looking for temporary stays. 

Hosts can post entire houses, apartments, private rooms, hotel rooms, and shared rooms on the platform. Customers then search through options based on their location, preferences, price, and ratings.

Compared to hotels, Airbnbs tend to offer a more personalized experience, which often includes:

• Improved amenities (e.g., bigger kitchens, faster WiFi)
• Lower costs
• Unique stays (e.g., decorated according to local culture)

Airbnb currently boasts 4m+ hosts, with many getting accepted and verified within 24 hours of creating an account.

1) Look at local laws

Before starting an Airbnb, make sure you comply with local government restrictions. Regulators often restrict Airbnbs to safeguard against landlords evicting tenants in favor of operating short-term rentals, or to ensure neighborhoods stay quiet and residential.

Depending on the location, this means you may have to register your Airbnb with the city, pay additional taxes and fees, or even modify the minimum number of nights required for each guest. Across all locations, most hosts must register for a general business license.

For example, in New York City, hosts are required to share their personal information and listing information with the city, unless they only host long-term stays (minimum of 30 days per booking).

Santa Monica also maintains a multitude of restrictions on Airbnbs, requiring hosts to live on the property during a guest’s stay, get a business license, and charge a 14% occupancy tax from Airbnb users.

Pay attention to local laws as they vary, change often, and can significantly impact your ability to host guests.

2) Analyze the attractiveness of your location and property

Though you can host your listing wherever you live, not every property makes for a solid Airbnb listing. A strong Airbnb usually has some of the following characteristics:

• Proximity to popular tourist attractions (e.g., museums, historical sites)
• Limited competition
• Low variance from seasonality
• Near public transportation (e.g., buses, trains)

Additionally, you also want to consider other aspects of running an Airbnb, such as the severity of Airbnb restrictions in your area and the amount of maintenance required to keep the property up and running.

It makes no sense, for example, to pay extensive upkeep fees if your area sees few visitors.

3) Get permission from building management, if necessary

If you live in a rental apartment or own a condo, you will likely need permission from either the property owner or building manager. This usually entails getting approved to make your unit an Airbnb and, potentially, complying with additional regulations specific to your building.

Airbnb offers advice on making a solid first impression with your building manager, which includes:

• Demonstrating your care for your property by showing the manager your space
• Explaining to your building manager why you want to host
• Sharing Airbnb policies that protect hosts, including their guest identity verification, $3m protection against damages, $1m in liability insurance, and more
• Establishing rules with your building manager, such as how often you plan to host
• Communicating with neighbors on your intentions and asking them to report guest complaints to you

4) Prepare the space for guests

Set up popular amenities.

After getting approval, prepare the property for guests. Consider what amenities guests look for in a listing and add them to your unit. Airbnb conducted a survey and found that guests primarily look for units with the following amenities:

• Free parking
• A washer and dryer
• Air conditioning and heating
• Self check-in
• Pets allowed

Figure out how you can fit popular amenities into your listing. For example, you could convert a corner of the living room into a workspace that includes a desk, a comfortable chair, a printer, and other supplies. You can secure other amenities, such as high-speed WiFi, by upgrading service for your unit.

Ensure guests can self check-in

You will likely want to include a self-check-in process, which means the guest can check into their space without needing to speak to the host. You can achieve this by installing a key lockbox, a keypad, or a smart lock on the outside of your unit.

Alternatively, you can leave a key with building staff as long as they stay on the property 24/7.

Stock up on basic amenities and safety features

This means storing supplies like extra towels, bedsheets, pillows, and soap. Additionally, you need to ensure your listing includes safety features such as a carbon monoxide detector, a smoke alarm, a fire extinguisher, emergency numbers, and even a first-aid kit.

Include accessibility amenities

If possible, try and make your hosting accessible to those who use wheelchairs, canes, or other mobility aids. For example, include a step-free entrance to the house, make door frames at least 32 inches wide, and include bars in the shower, as well as other features .

Add amenities for family- and pet-friendly stays

If you plan on hosting families with children or pets, guests will appreciate extra amenities to accommodate them. This includes water bowls, high chairs, a crib, and anything else to make their stays easier. You may also want to consider pet-proofing your listing by moving any knickknacks to higher shelves or ensuring pets cannot knock over trash cans.

Include extras for a better experience

Though not necessary, including the following could improve your guests’ experiences and, in turn, increase your listing’s rating:

• Snacks (e.g., chips, granola bars)
• Coffee or tea
• Cooking supplies (e.g., pots and pans, bowls and plates — picking good-quality ones is an added perk for guests)
• Glasses (e.g., wineglasses, cups)
• Adapters and chargers

Putting everything together, consider using the following checklist to prepare your listing for a solid Airbnb experience.

5) Hire a crew

You could manage an Airbnb by yourself. However, this may end up being a time-consuming responsibility. If you anticipate receiving significant revenue from your hosting, you should consider hiring a crew. This could include cleaners and maintenance crews (e.g., plumbers, handymen, and electricians).

However, remember hiring could bring in the issue of additional taxes and paperwork. You may want to first launch your Airbnb, determine how much time you can spend on its operations and upkeep, and then figure out if you need to hire someone.

6) Price your Airbnb

To price your Airbnb, first figure out daily costs. This means bringing together your utility bills, property taxes, maintenance costs, and any other expenses for the unit. Remember to convert all costs to daily, so if you pay a monthly WiFi bill, divide that by 30.

Once you calculate your daily expenses, you now know the minimum daily rate to charge to break even. Of course, you want your Airbnb to generate profit, so you should create a healthy margin based on additional market research. Airbnb lets you compare your property to similar listings, which gives you an idea on what to charge.

To optimize pricing, consider the following strategies:

• Including a cleaning or pet fee
• Incorporating dynamic pricing (e.g., your daily rate goes up during peak travel seasons or holidays)
• Featuring length-of-stay discounts (e.g., offering discounts for guests staying longer than one week)

You can then use your daily rate to estimate how long it will take to cover startup costs to get the listing running, such as amenities you purchased or renovation work.

7) Take high-quality photos of the property

You can either use a high-quality camera or, ideally, hire a professional photographer to capture the space. To ensure the quality of your photos, first do the following:

• Clean the property
• Let natural light in
• Take landscape photos instead of portrait
• Capture distinct amenities, such as quirky artwork or a fancy kitchen setup
• Take photos of accessibility features

8) Create an account and upload your listing

Start by creating an account , which will require your ID for verification. Then, create a listing under the Host section of your profile. Now comes the fun part: making your property stand out from the crowd.

Your title should cater to your intended demographic, whether that means an apartment for a remote worker or a vacationing family of four. Consider the following guiding examples:

• “Cozy Private Apartment Ideal for Working From Home”
• “Large 3BR Cabin w/ Private Pool & Jacuzzi”
• “Historic Brownstone Near Brooklyn Bridge”

Since the title can only have 50 characters, use all of it wisely. This means shortening common words such as “bedroom” and “with” to “BR” and “w/,” respectively.

In your description, emphasize what guests will experience in the property. Will it make them feel productive, but stress-free? Will it promise a home-away-from-home experience? Will it place them in the heart of a bustling downtown area? What experience do you hope guests get out of their stay?

Alongside positives, include any relevant downsides. Someone who struggles to sleep with noise, for example, would benefit from knowing whether an Airbnb sits on a busy street.

Next, select the amenities your listing features and set house rules. You can customize rules depending on your unit, so remember to include whatever you want guests to keep in mind (e.g., keep noise down after 10pm).

Finally, determine the availability of your unit. One-night stays could generate more bookings, but it takes more time and energy to check in a guest and immediately clean up after them.

An Airbnb costs , on average, $6k to start — assuming you already own the property. Putting everything together, Airbnb costs include:

• Cleaning and maintenance (e.g., supplies, cleaner fees)
• Amenities (e.g., purchasing workspace items)
• Utilities (e.g., electricity, WiFi)
• Short-term rental fees (e.g., business licenses, taxes)

However, costs can vary depending on your location, the listing, and amenities offered. For example, hosting a private room inside a house will likely cost much less than an entire house.

Airbnbs drive more profit than long-term rentals, bringing in a cash on cash return of 3.62% compared to long-term rentals’ return of 3.41%. If given the choice between renting long term (i.e., yearlong leases) vs. short term (i.e., Airbnb stays), it makes more sense to host on Airbnb for greater profit.

In 2021, Airbnb hosts in North America brought in an average of ~$41k, though keep in mind some hosts could have multiple properties. Other regional breakdowns include:

• Europe: ~$14k
• Asia Pacific: ~$15k
• Latin America: ~$9k
• Africa: ~$8k

Of course, if you do your research, invest time in your property, and optimize your operations, you may make much more than average.

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No cams allowed: Airbnb bans the use of indoor security cameras in its rentals

To increase guest privacy, Airbnb announced Monday that all indoor security cameras in its rentals are now banned.

Previously, indoor cameras were allowed in “public spaces and common areas” like hallways and living rooms but not in sleeping areas and bathrooms. Cameras had to be “clearly visible” and disclosed in the listing. 

“Our goal was to create new, clear rules that provide our community with greater clarity about what to expect on Airbnb,” Airbnb’s Head of Community Policy and Partnerships, Juniper Downs, said in a statement. 

“These changes were made in consultation with our guests, hosts and privacy experts, and we’ll continue to seek feedback to help ensure our policies work for our global community.”

Next steps: What to do if you find a hidden camera in your Airbnb, cruise cabin

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The new ban will take effect on April 30 and includes all indoor cameras, regardless of their purpose or whether they’re turned off. 

If someone sees a security camera inside their rental, they can report the violation to Airbnb and an investigation will be conducted. Airbnb said it can remove the listing or account as a result.

The ban does not cover security cameras in spaces like hotel lobbies or restaurants. 

Doorbell cameras or noise decibel monitors – which assess sound levels but do not record audio – will still be allowed since they serve as an “effective, privacy-protective way for hosts to monitor security for their home and get ahead of issues like unauthorized parties,” the announcement said. 

Airbnb hosts are required to disclose if they have any outdoor cameras and where the cameras are located before booking. 

However, outdoor cameras in areas where “there’s a greater expectation of privacy,” such as an outdoor shower or sauna, will be prohibited. 

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Fellow vacation rental company Vrbo said in a statement on Monday that cameras that capture the inside of a property, whether inside or outside, have been disallowed since 2022. Outdoor cameras, especially those that overlook pools, also need to be disclosed. 

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .