How can I be sure Airbnb is legit?

Check for legitimate links Don't click links in any email you're not sure about. A real link to Airbnb will begin with https://www.airbnb.com or a country-specific URL like https://es.airbnb.com, https://it.airbnb.com, https://www.airbnb.com.at, or https://www.airbnb.co.uk.



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Check the host's profile Airbnb verifies users (both hosts and guests) through several factors, including government IDs, email addresses, and phone numbers. Always check the host's profile to make sure they've uploaded these things—you can find it on the left side of their profile page.

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While Airbnb is a safe option for accommodation when traveling, there are plenty of things you can do to further protect yourself as you explore. Never give your personal contact information to a host or pay outside of the platform.

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Listings with no reviews coupled with a few red flags should make you stay away as they might be scams. Yes, there are scam listings on Airbnb and you should be wary of them. According to USA Today, a bait-and-switch happens when your host forces you to stay at a different property than the one you booked.

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In everywhere but India, if the Host accepts your request, you'll be charged for the reservation. If they decline or don't respond within 24 hours, there's no charge and you'll be free to book a different stay instead. For guests paying in Indian rupees, you'll be charged for the reservation when you request to book.

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Airbnbs are usually cheaper than hotels for longer stays and large groups, but they don't offer the same services. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020. She previously wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter.

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1. There are more destination photos than house photos. Eliminate listings that show more stock photos of the destination than of the Airbnb property itself. That could indicate any number of issues, from the Airbnb being run down and therefore not being photogenic (or hygienic…) to the listing being fake.

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If there's an emergency, or if your personal safety is threatened while traveling, contact local police or emergency services immediately. You can also: Contact Airbnb to report the issue; we're here 24/7. Read more about how to contact us directly in our Help Center.

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Scammers often create fake Airbnb listings or impersonate legitimate hosts in order to trick users into sharing their personal and financial information, or to steal their money or property.

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Airbnb requires every guest to pay for their bookings either via debit or credit card. Guests are not allowed to pay on arrival or through a bank/wire transfer. All guests must confirm their payment details when making a reservation.

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All payments are handled via Airbnb. Acceptable payment methods in most countries include major credit cards (like Visa, Mastercard and American Express), most debit cards that can be processed as credit cards and other payment services like PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

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We may also ask for a photo of your government ID and a selfie. Additionally, certain Experiences require you to verify your identity. Check out our Privacy Policy and learn more about trust and safety at Airbnb.

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If someone has questions about whether your property is right for them, your property manager will help them. When a guest arrives at your property and can't find something, your Airbnb agent will be their point of contact. If something goes wrong during their stay – the Airbnb agent is who they call.

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If the property is a new listing, the lack of reviews is normal. It will take some time before the Airbnb gets reviews. It's also likely you'll be among the first to review it should you take the leap.

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In mass, people began sharing all the reasons why they've stepped away from booking Airbnbs, including members of our own BuzzFeed Community. The reasonings ranged from overpriced cleaning fees to safety, low housing rates, and everything in between.

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The pros of Airbnb include affordability, local experience, more amenities than a standard hotel room, access to unique spaces, and the ability to connect with helpful hosts. The cons of Airbnb include a lack of standards, risky situations, no hotel services, paying in advance, and varying cancellation policies.

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Cleaning fees help hosts get their rentals cleaned and ready before guests arrive for their stay. It also protects the host from absorbing the cost of cleaning up after guests depart. Although it's common to see the fee on listings, there are some things to consider to avoid scaring off potential guests.

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Always communicate and pay on Airbnb Keep yourself, your payment, and your personal information safe by staying on our secure platform throughout the entire process—from communication to booking and payment. You should never be asked to wire money, provide credit card information, or otherwise pay a Host directly.

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When you submit a reservation request, we may place a hold on your payment method, called an authorization, for the full amount of the reservation. If your reservation is accepted, the authorization will turn into a real charge and the amount will be deducted from your payment account.

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Generally, an Airbnb security deposit doesn't exceed 20% of the total cost of the booking. Hosts often set an amount within the range of $100 to $500.

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Unfortunately, Airbnb does not accept cash. In fact, hosts accepting offline and cash payments are a violation of Airbnb's terms of service and Airbnb encourages guests to report this if hosts request offline or cash payments.

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