This tutorial will go through an overview of the connection between NightsBridge and Airbnb, We will cover the pro's an con's of connecting via NightsBridge and working directly with Airbnb, as well as any changes that can occur.
When a host connects to NightsBridge, all listings for that host will move to a +/-15% commission structure. This will happen regardless of the connection(Sync) to NightsBridge per listing. More information on Hosts with Airbnb here.
Host Settings
The following table looks at the differences on a host level, between working directly with Airbnb (without a channel manager) and with NightsBridge.
| Feature | Without Channel Manager | With NightsBridge |
Why is it different? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cohosted listings |
Can be manually managed. |
Cannot be connected to NightsBridge. |
Airbnb connection limitation. |
|
Payments |
Airbnb takes payment. |
Airbnb takes payment. |
|
|
Commission |
Option 1: Guest Pays: 14% Host Pays: +/- 2% Option 2: Guest Pays: 0% Host Pays: +/- 15% |
Guest Pays: 0% Host Pays: +/- 15% |
Airbnb only allows for the set 15% commission, for hosts that connect to channel managers, to ensure are the same on all channels. |
|
Airbnb calendar |
Monthly calendar view. |
Listing and rate plan grid view. (Similar to Booking.com and Expedia). |
Nightsbridge uses Airbnb's rate plan API to update rates and availability. |
Listing Settings
The following table looks at the differences on a listing level, between working directly with Airbnb (without a channel manager) and with NightsBridge.
| Feature | Without Channel Manager | With NightsBridge |
Why is it different? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rates |
One default pax rate and one set extra person fee. | Rates per person |
NightsBridge is able to update rates per person, which isn't available when working directly. |
| Specials |
Added to the listing. | A new rate plan needs to be created. | This is due to the type of connection. |
| Smart pricing |
Is available. |
Not available. |
Airbnb connection limitation. |
| Updating availability |
iCal link. Updated every 24 hours. Manually by you. |
Realtime availability updates. |
NightsBridge will automate on your behalf. |
|
New Bookings |
Manually captured by you. |
Automatically added to your calendar. |
NightsBridge will automate on your behalf. |
Booking and Search Settings
The following table looks at the differences with bookings and search, between working directly with Airbnb (without a channel manager) and with NightsBridge.
| Feature |
Without Channel Manager |
With NightsBridge |
Why is it different? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking Modifications |
Guests and hosts can modify bookings |
Guests and host cannot modify bookings. |
Airbnb connection limitation. |
| Booking Cancellations |
Guests and hosts can cancel bookings. |
Guests and hosts can cancel bookings. |
|
| Special Strike-through on the listing. |
Strike-through visible to guests. |
Strike-through not visible to guests. |
Airbnb connection limitation. |
| Non-refundable and free cancellation rate plans available to guests. |
No | Yes | NightsBridge's connection enables this, which isn't available when working directly. |
| Dateless searches |
Listings appear in the search. | Listings DO NOT appear in the the search. | Airbnb connection limitation. |