How to pay less for Airbnb: 4 expert-approved tips

It has never been easier to find accommodation when traveling, with a number of platforms established as go-to options for securing a place to stay away from home.

Airbnb sits at the top of the list, with over eight million active listings in more than 220 countries around the world. Approximately 2.25 million of those listings are in the United States, with North America as a whole accounting for a significant portion of the platform’s revenue.

But how can travelers make the most of Airbnb and ensure they get the best deals possible? This is what the experts told GOBankingRates.com.

Get ahead of dynamic pricing

Dynamic pricing often gets a bad reputation, with accommodations hiking prices to meet anticipated demand, usually because of nearby events. However, booking immediately after festivals or concerts are announced can save you up to 50%, according to David Ciccarelli, CEO of Lake.com.

The early bird catches the worm, as the old saying goes.

Take advantage of special offers

You may already have an idea of how long you’d like to stay, but being flexible can help you take advantage of Airbnb promotions, which are often linked to the length of your stay. Ciccarelli recommends staying six or seven days instead of five or eight, as one-week stays often come with discounts of 10% or more.

Turn on the charm and negotiate with hosts

People skills may have diminished somewhat in the age of automation and artificial intelligence, but they can still save you money.

While most travelers are willing to pay advertised prices, old-school negotiation can be effective, especially on Airbnb, which charges hosts booking fees. According to ViaTravelers founder and editor-in-chief Kyle Kroeger, some hosts lower their prices to keep Airbnb out of the loop and avoid the fee.

Book on a different site

Seen a listing you want but hesitated because of the price? Try logging off Airbnb and searching for the same property elsewhere. Due to Airbnb’s high commissions, many hosts list their properties on other platforms.

Even better, the host may offer a direct booking site.

“Look for clues in the listing, such as a brand name or watermark in the photos,” explains Andrew Schorr, director of product at Hospitable, a property management software company. “You can also use Google Travel, which compares listings from a range of sources, including direct booking sites. Because Google doesn’t take a commission, the price you see is often the most competitive.”

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