Airbnb Got Rid of Coupons in 2021, Here’s How to do in 2024
The end of Airbnb coupons
Gone are the days when Airbnb was the go-to budget-friendly alternative to traditional hotels or platforms like Booking.com. With its skyrocketing popularity, prices have surged, making it a less obvious choice for budget travelers. Wondering why coupons and discounts are so hard to come by these days? You're not alone. As Airbnb has become a household name, the company has scaled back on promotional incentives like coupons. In fact, the referral program, once a reliable source for discounts, was discontinued in 2021. But don't worry, I've got some hacks that worked for me.
The two best ways.
1) Negotiating
Searching for an Airbnb in Montreal recently was a shocker—prices were sky-high and way out of my budget. Needed a place on short notice, so I hit Google to find some tips to get airbnbs cheaper. That's when I found out you can actually haggle the price. If you're thinking, "I can't negotiate," don't worry. I had zero experience and still scored some sweet deals. Here's the lowdown:
Some hosts will shut you down, others will say they're already giving a deal for longer stays, but some will actually say yes.
What's a Good Offer?
Don't bother haggling over peanuts. If the monthly rate is $2,000, don't try to get it down to $1,950. Aim for at least a 20% cut. So, if it's $2,000, shoot for $1,600. Sounds low? Trust me, it can work. Got turned down? Not the end of the world, you'll get used to it.
Got Any Leverage?
Good reviews can be your best friend here. No host want to deal with messy or chaotic guests.
Saying you'll clean probably won't cut it, but it's worth a shot. Also, ask if they've got any gaps in their booking calendar—they might cut you a deal to fill it.
The Don'ts of Negotiation
1. Don't act desperate.
2. Don't ask for too much or too little. You'll either scare them off or look like you're just playing games.
3. Don’t feel sorry to ask for a discount, it’s a very normal thing to do.
So there you have it. Even if you've never haggled before, you can still score a better price on your next Airbnb.
2) Hichee : the secret way to get airbnb cheaper
Who better than them to describe their service : “Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo are great for finding the perfect rental. But, they each charge different prices for the same property and the same dates.
We help YOU SAVE MONEY by showing the best prices for each property and where best to book it.”
Yes, you got it right. Hichee helps you find a listing from Airbnb, Booking or Vrbo and compares it on the web to find its best price. As simple as that. Oh, and it’s free.
It happens often that the same rental is available for way cheaper elsewhere, now you’ll be sure to not miss the best price possible for your stay !
Other Ways to Save: Your Mileage May Vary
Deal Aggregator Websites: My go-to sites like Mydealz.de or Dealabs.com used to be gold mines for Airbnb promotions. Not anymore, though.
Cashback on Gift Cards: Sites like TopCashback.com or offer up to 7% Cashback when you buy an Airbnb gift card. Keep in mind that Cashback can take time to get to your account and it can sometimes not work.
Long Stays or Last-Minute Bookings: Some hosts offer discounts for longer stays or if you book at the last minute. For example, in Canada you have to pay a tax for stays shorter than 28 days. Flexibility is your friend here.
Don’t get me wrong, you CAN get great deals with those three methods, but you probably already know about them, and they aren’t the best time investment.
End Words
Stop looking for coupons or promotions, you won’t find any. Airbnb has changed and so should your strategy to get a cheaper rental. Using Hichee to find cheaper prices and negotiating are the best ways I found to get good prices. You can also go and buy gift cards using a Cashback website ; Airbnb accepts payment with several of those.