Is it subject to any undesirable actions by AirBnB if you use messasing apps instead of a chat box?
This question about accepting cash in AirBnB starts to make me wonder if it is possibly against their terms and conditions, and in that case is subject to be a removal of an account or any other undesirable actions by AirBnB, to exchange a messaging app (WeChat, WhatsApp, etc...) and contact the host there.
I usually exchange the account with the host, and in many cases it is the host who asks me to contact there. The response speed and overall UI/UX is far better in these messaging apps.
But sometimes the host and/or the guest may contract within the apps, and it could be concluded without AirBnB. In fact if you try to exchange your handle, AirBnB warns you in the chat box with something like "We encourage you to chat here in order to protect you." and automatically erase the handle with "HIDDEN CONTENTS SHOWN" message, though it is obvious that their implicit purpose is to assure collecting the hefty service charge.
So do they explicitly state anything about exchanging the conversation outside of their control (before staying) or is there any reported case it led to any undesirable end?
Best Answer
After paying you are free to do whatever, that's why they provide you the host's phone number. The message box is no longer filtered as well and you might as well switch to Whatsapp/Telegram/Facebook/whatever. The only exception is if you try to arrange a few more nights without paying AirBnb - a common trick is to pay for just 1 night and then pay for a few more in cash on arrival. This will get the host penalized if caught.
Before paying is a different situation - AirBnb tries very hard to prevent you from exchanging any useful contact information. However if you are successful they generally don't care - with one host we've tried around a dozen of semi-encrypted messages to get the information across (all filtered out) and AirBnb didn't get involved. That particular host also told she tries to exchange contact information all the time (to allow guests to ask about the property by phone) and AirBnb didn't try to penalize her.
Pictures about "Is it subject to any undesirable actions by AirBnB if you use messasing apps instead of a chat box?"
Can you automate messages on Airbnb?
To save time as a host and ensure guests always know how to check in and out and use your amenities, you can schedule messages to automatically send based on triggers like a new reservation, check-in, or check-out.How does Messaging work on Airbnb?
You must be logged in to your Airbnb account to read or send messages. You can click or tap on a message thread to read existing messages or\u2026 If you want to find out more about a listing, Host, or experience before booking, you can message the host on Airbnb.Can you message Past guests on Airbnb?
After your trip or experience is completed Note: You can send 25 messages per day or 10 messages per hour. Only you, and not your additional guests, can message Hosts through your message thread.How do I message a guest on Airbnb?
Using Airbnb messaging via emailSources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Andrea Piacquadio, Andrea Piacquadio, Armin Rimoldi, Armin Rimoldi