If you’re one of the 150 million people who use Airbnb, chances are you’ll have come across the Superhost medal, sitting proudly yet discreetly next to some host profiles. The message is clear – these hosts are offering something beyond what you’d expect from a standard host.
But what does it represent? And should you be striving for Superhost status yourself?
Join us as we break down the ins and outs of Airbnb Superhost status.
Airbnb Host Requirements
What does it take to sign up to rent out your accommodation to guests via Airbnb? First, let’s explore the standard requirements to become an airbnb host.
Basic Requirements
The basic Airbnb host requirements are simple and straightforward. The platform owes at least some of its global success to the simplicity of signing up and renting out accommodation.
Firstly, Airbnb’s terms of service state that you must be over 18 to create an Airbnb account, therefore to start hosting, you have to meet this minimum age limit.
Secondly, Airbnb hosts must adhere to local laws and regulations. This can cover topics such as local taxes or zoning rules, so it’s important to research this before signing up. It may also be necessary to obtain permits or licenses before you can start renting out your space.
Finally, the accommodation you offer – whether a yurt or a luxury suite – must be both safe and comfortable. As a host, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your rentals always meet these requirements.
Airbnb Community Policy
Airbnb’s community policy states that hosts are asked to meet the requirements of their community policy. Failure to meet these requirements can lead to penalties or suspension from the platform.
- Responsivity – Airbnb asks that hosts maintain a 24-hour response rate for new reservation requests and inquiries
- Request acceptance – Guests are encouraged to accept booking requests wherever possible
- Cancellation avoidance – reservation cancellations should be avoided at all costs and can result in a host penalty
- Consistent quality – hosts should maintain high guest ratings
- Essential amenities – hosts are strongly encouraged to provide basic amenities to guests, which include toilet paper, soap, towels, and bed linen.
These metrics are measured against the average for all Airbnb hosts, so if your hosting service is considered to be sub-par, you may be subject to penalization.
What is an Airbnb Superhost?
Airbnb first launched Superhost status in 2016, as a means of sorting professional, premium experiences from novice hosts. Superhosts were born from the necessity to have a quantifiable metric for excellence, taking into account the guest experience at all the accommodations in a host’s portfolio, rather than the features of individual properties.
Airbnb loosely defines Superhosts as those who go ‘above and beyond’ in their hosting. Essentially, hosts who do the absolute most to give guests an outstanding experience from their first inquiry until after check-out.
Any host can qualify for Superhost status, whether you’re renting out the most basic single room or a sprawling mansion – if you go above and beyond for your guests then you may be in line for recognition.
Guests can identify Superhosts when browsing the Airbnb website from the small ‘medal’ icons that appear on their profile and listings. They can also filter their searches to show only properties from Superhosts.
Airbnb Superhost Requirements
There is no Airbnb Superhost application process. Rather, Airbnb evaluates all hosts quarterly to determine whether they have met the stringent criteria. Evaluations are carried out on the first of January, April, July, and October, and take about a week. If you’ve met the mark, you’ll receive a notification at the end of the evaluation period.
The first assessment criteria is to have maintained a 90% or above response rate. This means replying to over 90% of all new inquiries and reservation requests within the 24 window.
Secondly, you must maintain a maximum 1% cancellation rate. This means that you can only cancel one in every 100 reservations you receive, unless extenuating circumstances apply.
When it comes to guest reviews, Airbnb Superhosts maintain an overall rating of 4.8 or above. This average is taken over the last 365 days and is based on the review date rather than guest checkout date.
Finally, Airbnb Superhosts who offer longer reservations must have completed a minimum of three reservations in the previous 365 days, with a total of at least 100 nights. Those offering short-term rentals must have hosted at least ten stays in the past year.
Airbnb Superhost Benefits
Visibility
With over 4 million hosts currently registered with Airbnb, there’s certainly plenty of healthy competition on the top global OTA. While there are several ways to give your vacation rental property listings and descriptions the edge, if your profile boasts the Airbnb seal of approval, this immediately makes your property stand out.
Revenue
As mentioned, guests can filter their search results to only show Superhosts, as travelers seek peace of mind that they’re guaranteed a high-quality experience. Sporting the Airbnb medal of honor builds guest trust, which in turn means more bookings and increased revenue.
The financial benefits of being an Airbnb Superhost have also been statistically noted. Across the globe, Superhosts earn 60% more revenue per available day (RevPAR)
Rewards
On top of increasing your property revenue, after each full year as a Superhost, you’ll be rewarded with a $100 Airbnb coupon, enabling you to take a well-deserved break (and check out the competition). Further, when you refer a new Airbnb host, you’ll receive an extra 20% on top of the usual referral bonus.
Do Airbnb Superhosts make more money?
Yes, Airbnb Superhosts often experience financial benefits. Studies have shown that Superhosts, on average, earn more revenue per available day compared to standard hosts. This increase in earnings is attributed to higher occupancy rates, as guests are more likely to book with a Superhost, and the ability to potentially command higher nightly rates due to the perceived value of their offering.
How long does Superhost Status last?
Once achieved, Superhost status is not permanent and needs to be maintained. Airbnb reviews Superhost criteria every quarter. A host must consistently meet the standards to retain their Superhost status. This continuous evaluation ensures that Superhost status is a current and accurate reflection of a host’s ongoing commitment to excellence in hospitality.
Is keeping a Superhost status difficult?
Maintaining Superhost status can be challenging as it requires consistent performance and adherence to Airbnb’s high standards. Superhosts must continually provide exceptional service, maintain their properties, and manage guest relations effectively. The ongoing effort to meet these standards can be demanding, but it is often rewarded with increased bookings, higher revenue, and guest satisfaction.
Maintaining Superhost status
To maintain Superhost status, hosts should focus on consistent quality, guest communication, and staying updated with Airbnb policies and market trends. Regularly reviewing guest feedback and making improvements based on their suggestions can also help in maintaining high standards.
Is it worth being a Superhost?
For many hosts, achieving Superhost status is a worthwhile goal. It enhances the visibility and appeal of listings, builds trust with potential guests, and can lead to increased bookings and revenue. However, it requires consistent effort in maintaining high standards of hospitality, responsiveness, and guest satisfaction.
How to become a Superhost on Airbnb
Becoming a Superhost on Airbnb involves a commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences. Key aspects include:
- Fast responses: Responding promptly to booking inquiries and guest messages is crucial. Superhosts must maintain a 90% response rate or higher, replying to most messages within 24 hours.
- Clean accommodation: Providing clean and comfortable accommodations is essential. Guest reviews often reflect the cleanliness of a space, impacting overall ratings and the ability to meet Superhost review thresholds.
- Cancellations: Superhosts must maintain a low cancellation rate, ideally below 1%. This reliability is a key factor in building trust with guests and the Airbnb community.
Airbnb’s Guest Favorites – What is it?
Airbnb’s Guest Favorites is a newly introduced feature that spotlights the top 2 million homes on the platform, as highly rated and loved by guests. This initiative is part of Airbnb’s effort to enhance user experience by making it easier for guests to identify and choose outstanding properties. Homes that earn the “Guest Favorite” badge are those that have consistently received high praise and ratings from guests, typically averaging above 4.9 stars. These properties are recognized for their exceptional quality, reliability, and the outstanding hospitality provided by their hosts.
The Difference Between Guest Favorite and Superhost Status
While both Guest Favorites and Superhost status are accolades within the Airbnb community, they signify different achievements. Superhost status is awarded to hosts who consistently meet specific criteria in terms of response rate, booking rate, review ratings, and low cancellation rates. It’s a measure of the host’s overall performance and reliability on the platform.
On the other hand, a “Guest Favorite” badge is more focused on the guest’s experience at a specific property. It’s awarded to homes that have achieved exceptionally high ratings and positive reviews, emphasizing the quality of the stay itself. While Superhost status is about the host’s overall excellence across all their listings, Guest Favorites spotlight the individual properties that guests have particularly loved.
The Benefits of Guest Favorites
The Guest Favorites feature offers significant benefits for both guests and hosts. For guests, it simplifies the decision-making process, making it easier to find highly rated and reliable homes. The badge serves as a quick indicator of a quality stay, backed by strong reviews and ratings. This helps guests feel more confident in their booking choices, especially when looking for top-tier accommodations.
For hosts, having a property listed as a Guest Favorite can significantly enhance the property’s visibility and attractiveness on the platform. It’s a mark of distinction that can attract more bookings and potentially allow for higher pricing due to the proven quality of the stay. This recognition also provides hosts with a valuable feedback mechanism, highlighting what makes their property stand out and encouraging them to maintain high standards to keep the badge.
Take your Vacation Rentals to Superhost level
As a result of more than 20 years listening to clients about the tasks and challenges associated with managing vacation rental properties, we’ve assembled a complete toolkit of software and services to take your business to the next level. We truly understand the importance of the guest experience, and how to support you to focus time and resources on the areas that matter most.
With your hands free to make your vacation rental business more guest-centric, you’ll be well on your way to achieving that much-coveted Superhost status. To find out more about how Avantio’s tools can help you to streamline your processes, save resources, and start focusing on guest satisfaction – contact us for a free demo.
Schedule a discovery call with one of the team today and find out how our innovative property management solutions can help you achieve your full revenue potential.
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