Many travelers are now opting for Airbnb accommodations as opposed to your traditional hotels and motels. In many cases, the prices are already much lower than your typical hotel stay, so you will save money using Airbnb. But, there are even more benefits to choosing Airbnb over hotel and motel stays.
Larger spaces providing more comfort to you and your family is one of the top reasons we choose Airbnb. Hosts tend to bend over backwards to make your stay amazing and as memorable as possible. There are so many choices of room styles when you stay with an Airbnb. Single bedrooms, full apartments and condos, cabins, RV’s, houses, and more are all available at Airbnb. I have even seen tree house and boat rentals available. Talk about awesome family memories!
Now, let’s talk about how you can save money using Airbnb.
First things first. If you are new to Airbnb, I have a special $40 coupon you can use on your first booking. Just go HERE and voila, you will receive that $40 credit on your first booking!
Last minute deals
If you’re taking a spur of the moment trip, some hosts will drop their prices at the last moment to fill their rental calendar. We do this every year when we “chase snow“. Each winter, we keep an eye on the forecast up north. When a big snowfall is predicted in South or North Carolina, we pack the kids in the car and head north. We get great rates on the cabins that are still available.
Book early
Yes, this contradicts the last paragraph about last minute deals. However, if you can’t do a last minute, spur of the moment, trip, then book as early as possible to get the best rate. This is especially important if you have your heart set on a location.
Be flexible
If you can swing a weekday trip, the rates tend to be much lower than the weekends. Weekends usually do include Fridays in most cases. So, if you can take a midweek trip, do it! Mon-Thurs are great pricing days when it comes to rentals. Also, do some research and find out what peak season is at the location you are traveling to. Try to avoid peak season if possible. You will save big time to book off-season and during the week.
Look for NEW listings
Look for brand new listings. The owners of these homes are new to Airbnb and will often start off with low prices to fill up their dates and get reviews rolling.
Kitchens are a must
If you want to save money on your trip overall, having a kitchen with a refrigerator, oven, and microwave will save you quite a bit of money. I know for us, eating out for a family of 6 on vacation is a huge chunk of our budget. Making a quick grocery store run or bringing food from our pantry saves us hundreds of dollars. If you are a foodie and prefer to experience the town/locale’s food, choose one meal a day to eat out, and cook for the other two meals.
Book with friends
Opt for a multi-bedroom home and bring friends or family along. Split the cost between the group and you will find deep savings.
Extended Visits
Many Airbnb hosts will offer discounts on longer travel. Look under prices to see what discount they offer for a full week stay or a full month stay.
Negotiate
Don’t be afraid to reach out to the host with your circumstances. Maybe you don’t see the discount for a multi-night stay. Message them and see if they will work something out with you. When we traveled to see snow and got snowed in, I messaged the host about adding a day or two and was offered a discount!
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