There’s more than one type of Airbnb host. There are standard hosts, and then there are Airbnb Superhosts that have proved to be a cut above the rest. This badge of honor is not something every host will achieve, but is it something to aspire to?
In this post, we’ll answer the question, “What does Superhost mean on Airbnb?” and more. We’ll explain the Airbnb Superhost requirements and look a little closer at how to become a Superhost.
What Does Superhost Mean on Airbnb?
Being an Airbnb Superhost means you get a badge. Many consider it a badge of honor, but you receive it if you meet specific Airbnb Superhost criteria.
You’ll be able to proudly display the badge on your profile, letting everyone know you can offer an extra layer of credibility and trust.
Airbnb introduced the Superhost status to try to differentiate underachievers from those that are top-performing hosts.
Airbnb Superhost Benefits
What does Superhost mean on Airbnb? One thing it means is lots of benefits.
Increased Number of Bookings
You’re likely to see an increase in the number of bookings. Seeing that Superhost badge on your profile and listing is going to be very appealing for guests.
Potential guests are looking for reliable hosts, so of course, your Superhost listing is going to stand out.
Increased Income
With an Airbnb Superhost status, you can expect an increase in your income. This is all due to the improvement in the number of bookings. You’re also able to charge a little bit more because you’ve got a good reputation for providing excellent service.
Dedicated Airbnb Support
As a Superhost, you get priority treatment when you communicate with Airbnb via Twitter or over the phone. This is very beneficial for your Airbnb business because it allows you to provide better support for all your guests.
And here are a few more advantages:
- Superhost filter: When guests look for possible Airbnb’s, they can filter their search by applying a Superhost status filter. Potentially, this could mean more people see your listing.
- Appeal to more guests: With a Superhost badge, you’re more likely to be featured in Airbnb’s newsletter, and you may attract more clicks.
- Bonus referral income: If you onboard any new users to Airbnb, you’ll get an additional 20%.
- Bonus travel coupon: As a Superhost, you’ll be given a $100 travel voucher at the end of every year.
- New products and events: As a member of Airbnb’s exclusive group, you’ll get invitations to company events and access to new product releases.
How to Become a Superhost
To help answer the question, “What is a superhost?” we have to look at the process of becoming one and determine the requirements. First, let’s find out what you have to do to become an Airbnb Superhost.
To become a Superhost, you have to meet certain criteria, which we’ll look at a little later. Airbnb will notify you of your new status if you qualify, and a badge will suddenly appear on your listing and profile.
You’ll be appraised by Airbnb every three months to ensure your listing and hosting performance is still up to scratch. Fail to meet any of the criteria, and you’ll be stripped of your Superhost status.
The performance metrics that Airbnb assesses will be the accumulated average from the last twelve months. Therefore, it’s key to keep a close eye on your cancellation rates, response, and overall rating if you want to keep hold of your Superhost status.
Your Superhost status is an indication that lots of the things you do are right. However, if you don’t want to lose your badge, you need to make sure you don’t make any of the common mistakes. So, we’ll finish this post with some things to bear in mind as an Airbnb host.
Airbnb Superhost Criteria
But before we start handing out the tips, here are the requirements you need to meet if you want to become an Airbnb Superhost.
You must have:
- Twelve months experience as an Airbnb host
- Completed either three reservations or ten trips, with a minimum of one hundred nights booked
- A response rate that’s 90% or higher
- Cancellation rate of not more than 1%. Airbnb may make exceptions if there are any extenuating circumstances
- A consistent overall rating of 4.8 or more
- 80% of your Airbnb reviews should be 5-star reviews
Assessments take place every three months, starting on the 1st of January every year. Around ten days after each assessment, you’ll receive notification of your new status if you meet the criteria.
You can track your progress along the road to Superhost status by checking the Superhost section of your Airbnb dashboard. You’ll find figures for your activity over the previous twelve months. It will also give you the date of the next assessment.
Is the Superhost Badge Worth Aiming For?
Airbnb makes the Superhost status look very attractive, but for many of you, what you really want to know is how much it’s going to affect your revenue. An excellent way to show the effect of this metric is with the help of some stats from Airdna.
- The average occupancy rate for a Superhost is 47%, compared to 27% for a standard host.
- On average, Superhosts earn 60% more revenue than the standard host, on a daily basis.
- On average, Superhosts have a value star rating of 4.9, compared to 4.6 stars for a standard host.
- You can expect an average increase in weekly listing views of 5%, on average.
- Superhosts have a lower average daily rate but enjoy a higher occupancy rate.
Tips on Getting Your Superhost Badge
Not everyone is going to be awarded a Superhost badge. However, if becoming one is your goal, here are some factors to bear in mind.
1. Make Your Airbnb Clean and Comfortable
A guest who comes to stay at your Airbnb has chosen your property rather than a hotel. Therefore, you need to make sure their experience rivals what they might expect from a hotel. Think about the amenities they’ll want most and make sure you provide them. Above all, your Airbnb should be comfortable and in excellent working order.
Regarding cleanliness, hiring professional cleaners will ensure your property is cleaned from top to bottom. Pick a company that specializes in short and long-term rentals, and they’ll pay close attention to areas that you might overlook.
To achieve those all-important 5-star reviews, your Airbnb must deliver the perfect stay and be sparkling clean and tidy.
2. Leave Guest Reviews
You’ll encourage your guests to leave reviews, but make sure you do the same for them. To achieve Superhost status, no less than 80% of guests should leave a review. Your host rating should be 4.8 or higher, as well.
3. Keep Communication Effective and Efficient
To be eligible to join the Superhost program, your response rate to messages must be a minimum of 90%. You should also be aiming to respond within 24 hours.
If your response rate is lower than 90% and you take longer than one day to respond to communications, you might not be eligible.
When you’ve got more than one Airbnb property, keeping track of and replying to messages can be a struggle. This is where automation comes to your rescue. Technology allows you to create pre-set messages and use triggers to send out responses. Such a tool improves your response rate considerably and saves time.
4. Aim for High Occupancy
Your Airbnb needs to show high occupancy rates, and you must host a minimum of ten reservations over the twelve months. It is possible to improve your occupancy, and here are some tips on how to do it:
- Make sure your prices are realistic
- Review your competitor’s rates and adjust yours accordingly
- Increase rates during the high season to maximize your revenue
- During the low season, offer discounts and special offers
- Consider introducing different prices depending on whether the booking is for weekdays or on the weekend
- Market your property with particular audiences in mind
- Avoid cancellations
5. Be an Efficient Property Manager
You may have a head full of ideas for wowing your guests, but unless you’ve got an effective property management strategy in place, your venture isn’t going to get off the ground. Think about how you’re going to handle messages. What will be the procedure for check-ins? Is there going to be someone who oversees the maintenance and cleaning of the property? This is a key question if you’re planning to manage your Airbnb remotely.
Common Mistakes to Avoid if You Want to Be an Airbnb Superhost
Airbnb hosting isn’t something that suits everyone. For some people, what seemed like a good idea to start with leaves them with a bad taste in their mouth.
There are a wealth of mistakes newbie Airbnb hosts make. Knowing what these are and understanding the solution will increase your chance of success.
1. Don’t Out Airbnb Yourself, If Possible
Find out what other people are doing and experience an Airbnb yourself first hand. Look at things such as:
- How guests are welcomed
- Check-in and check-out processes
- The experience of a “whole property” rental
- The experience of a “home share”
- What amenities are there?
- Is there a house manual?
- How much space is there on the property?
2. Don’t Over-Promise and Then Not Deliver
When a guest arrives at your Airbnb, they expect to get exactly what you promised online. It would be even better if you over-deliver. Don’t paint too rosy a picture, or your guests could be disappointed.
3. Have a Pro-Active Pricing Strategy
A common error for many new Airbnb owners is getting the pricing wrong. You must anticipate the high and low seasons and take into account any special events and school vacations.
4. Getting the Communication Wrong
Communicating with guests plays a key role in whether you become a Superhost. Be friendly and relatively informal. Never ignore problems. Jump right on them and offer a solution.
5. Focus on Having a Broad Appeal
Aim for a functional design that has a broad appeal, rather than being quirky or too “out there.” Look for furniture, furnishings, and appliances that will stand up to regular use.
6. Inaccurate Information in Your Listing
Always be accurate with your listing information. Key points should be:
- Size and number of bedrooms
- Check-in and check-out times
- Kitchen equipment
- Number of bathrooms
All the above will impact your guests’ stay. For them, it’s critical that you’re honest and accurate about what you’re offering.
7. Don’t Double Book
Double booking is a huge no-no. Neither guest will be quick to forgive such a grave error. Not only that, it’ll cause a tremendous amount of stress for you as you try to sort it out.
8. Not Responding to Guests Quickly
One thing that says a lot about your attitude towards guests is how quickly you respond. When you don’t respond promptly it says to the guests that they’re not all that important to you. They’ll be very appreciative if you’re proactive and fast in your responses.
9. Not Dealing With Complaints Immediately
The speed with which you deal with customer complaints is equally important. When a customer makes a complaint, you should:
- Listen
- Don’t make excuses
- Apologize
- Consider a financial gesture, albeit a small one
- Act immediately on the complaint
10. Not Making the Guests Feel Special
When you run an Airbnb property, you’re in the hospitality business. Your guests pay good money to receive a service they feel they deserve. Part of that service is making them feel special and appreciated. Here are some suggestions:
- Call them when they arrive
- Leave them a small gift
- Leave a welcome letter with their name on it
11. Not Complying With Local Rules
The rules on short-term rentals vary from country to country, state to state, and city to city. Check out the following:
- Lease contracts
- Local planning laws
- Airbnb lettings restrictions
- Whether city taxes are chargeable
Conclusion
We’ve answered the question “What does Superhost mean on Airbnb?” so you’ve got all the information you need to decide whether it’s something to aim for. Of course, there are lots of benefits, such as increased bookings and income. However, at the end of the day, the choice is yours.
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