Whether you’re a long-term traveler or a digital nomad, these Airbnb tips work. Did you know that you could have a monthly Airbnb discount? Or even a weekly discount? Keep reading – there’s even more.
Before we get started, let’s talk about Airbnb, how it works, and how to get discounts.
At the end of this post, you will also find alternatives to Airbnb.
What’s Airbnb?
Airbnb is a platform used to rent rooms, dorms, or an entire place.
You can rent a place short-term or long-term. It’s a great way to either stay with a local during your holidays or get your own place without having a lease.
If you have a spare room at your place, you could potentially rent it out on Airbnb too.
How does Airbnb work?
After entering your destination, you can select the number of guests as well as the dates. You will then find a map as well as the Airbnb listings available on your dates.
You can check out your options and book the place you picked. Depending on the booking, you could pay the whole amount up front or a deposit to start. It depends on different factors such as the booking window, the dates booked, etc.
Keep reading to find out how to get an Airbnb monthly discount and more.
How to get discounts on Airbnb?
When you select your dates, you will notice that the price range can change accordingly. If you book a place weekly or monthly, you should see a discount appearing on the total price. It will say weekly discount or monthly discount depending on the booking.
If you’re booking a place for a longer period such as a week or a month, you can negotiate the price. You only need to contact the Airbnb host via the button “contact this host” and they might give you a special offer.
Usually, you will have a certain period to make the booking. (Last time I did this, I had a 24-hour window to book the special offer.)
When contacting the host, try being nice. We usually write a little introduction, mentioning our interest with a couple of questions. Then, politely, we ask if there would be any chance to have a discount and tell them about our ideal budget.
Sometimes, it works, sometimes, it doesn’t. At the end of the day, it’s entirely up to the host. But you could get an Airbnb long stay discount and you don’t have much to lose, do you?
Are there any Airbnb alternatives?
Depending on your destination, Airbnb can be the best option, but it’s not always the case. Here’s what I usually do when I move to a new place.
Step 1: Join Facebook groups for Apartment/villa rentals (you simply have to search for “destination apartment rentals” – replace destination with your actual destination, ha).
Step 2: Join Facebook groups for digital nomads in a destination (you simply have to search for “destination digital nomads”.
Step 3: Check the prices on Airbnb and if it seems a bit expensive, you can ask around or search in one of the groups joined in the previous steps.
When to look for Airbnb alternatives?
- In certain destinations in Europe – it can be hard to find a decent price on Airbnb. For example, Prague can be quite expensive unless you rent a flat for 12 months. When we stayed in Prague, we had to take an alternative and use an agency to find our flat.
- In Asia – even though it might be quite cheap to find a place on Airbnb, you can sometimes find cheaper deals when booking directly with the owner. Airbnb is a great tool for short-term stays, or to get started in a city, but it’s not always great everywhere. When you’re planning on staying somewhere long-term, it is sometimes better to see the place first. In Asia, I used a mix of Facebook groups, agencies and real-life hunt. Yes, sometimes, the best way to find a place is to hop on a scooter and go ask around.
- If you’re on a budget – Airbnb isn’t always the cheapest option. If you’re on a tight budget or if you’re just started out as a digital nomad, you might want to consider other options. If that’s the case, why not sign up for house-sitting. You could be taking care of pets in exchange for free accommodation.
- Take a look at VRBO to find dream holiday homes and hotels.
Finding digital nomad housing can be challenging depending on the destination. In any case, I always start with Airbnb.
It’s a great way to see what kind of accommodation I can find at my next destination and what to expect in terms of pricing.
Final Thoughts On Airbnb Discounts
We hope you’ll manage to get your weekly or monthly Airbnb discount using our tips!
Need help before your next trip? Read one of the following blog posts:
