With its emergence, Airbnb has added many new words and phrases to our vocabulary, such as “short-term rental,” “Airbnb property management,” and so on. However, the most powerful term is “Superhost.” How certain are we, though, that we understand exactly what Superhost means? Do we know all the information and details needed to become Superhosts?
What Does Superhost Mean?
The title of Superhost is awarded to those hosts who meet specific requirements set by Airbnb, such as consistently providing high-quality services, maintaining a rating close to 5 stars, and fulfilling additional special requirements set by Airbnb.
Travellers who choose accommodation with a Superhost label can expect a high-quality hospitality experience, as the host or the company managing the property has proven to meet the requirements, providing a clean and comfortable space and ensuring that guests have a wonderful stay.
How to Become a Superhost
Becoming an Airbnb Superhost is no easy feat. To achieve the distinction of Superhost, continuous effort and improvement in every area are required, as well as excellent communication skills.
If we were to define titles and summarise the required characteristics set by Airbnb to earn and maintain the Superhost badge, they would be:
Maintaining a High Overall Rating. You must always keep in mind that guest ratings are what will either help you achieve the coveted distinction or deprive you of it if you do not meet the requirements. Reviews should give you a score of at least 4.8 stars, while also considering the quality of the reviews.
Response Rate of No Less Than 90%. As mentioned earlier, you should place great importance on your communication skills and response time. Guests will have questions and queries that you must answer as promptly as possible, as otherwise, you may lose the booking. For example, if a prospective guest wishes to check in at a different time than you have specified and asks if that is possible, if you do not respond quickly, the prospective guest may start looking for another property, thus you would have lost that booking.
At Least 10 Completed Bookings or 3 Bookings Totalling at Least 100 Nights. A booking for a few nights is not sufficient to demonstrate the quality of hospitality provided by the owner or the property management company. Airbnb requires a minimum of 10 completed bookings or at least 100 nights for a minimum of 3 bookings to provide a clearer picture for the distinction of Superhost.
Cancellation Rate of Less Than 1%. To achieve this, your property prices must always be up-to-date and competitive, your responses must be prompt, and of course, the reviews you receive must be excellent. It should be noted that incidents of force majeure are excluded.
These criteria are collected and evaluated by Airbnb on a quarterly basis to determine whether you meet the criteria to be awarded or maintain the Superhost distinction. Evaluations last for 7 days and begin on 1st January, 1st April, 1st July, and 1st October each year.
Additional Information: The 4 standard criteria for obtaining the Superhost badge were reduced to 2 from April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, but as of 1st April 2022, the criteria returned to their original number.
What Are the Advantages of being a Superhost?
- The primary advantage enjoyed by Superhost category hosts is that they stand out from the crowd of other hosts. This immediately ensures them more guests, as they are ranked higher in search listings, thus taking a step ahead of the competition.
- In addition to the ranking, Superhosts receive a distinctive badge that sets them apart from other hosts. With this distinction, property owners or the respective management companies enjoy additional privileges. These privileges include:
- Airbnb Voucher. For every year you maintain your status as a Superhost, Airbnb rewards you with a $100 voucher.
- Promotion to Guests. Airbnb promotes your property to a vast number of recipients using advertising messages via email.
- Special Search Filter. Once you are a Superhost, you can be included in the corresponding search list, thus excluding a large portion of the competition, as many prospective guests choose exclusively Superhost accommodations for their stay.
- Superhost Badge. This is a designation on the host’s profile in the form of a badge, along with the word “Superhost” below their name. The Superhost badge appears on every listing of the host.
- Extra Referral Bonus. For every referral to other hosts to become Superhosts, you receive an additional 20% bonus.
- Early Access to New Features. You have the opportunity to test new programmes before they are released to the market.
- Priority Support. Airbnb and the customer service of the platform prioritise support for Superhost hosts.
You can read more information about the advantages of being a Superhost here.
Quick Tips for Superhosts
Having developed the concept, methods, and advantages of being a Superhost, let’s look at some tips provided by Superhosts themselves, such as Sparrow:
Keep Your Booking Notifications Active. Don’t leave your guest waiting; response times are crucial for maintaining a high-quality guest experience. Respond promptly, courteously, and clearly.
Consistently and Accurately Rate Your Guests. Airbnb allows hosts to evaluate guests as well. This helps determine the quality of guests, contributing to tailoring your recommendations to others.
Set Goals to Receive 5-Star Reviews. Be helpful and available to answer questions, alleviate concerns, provide alternatives, be flexible, and ensure your guests have a comfortable and memorable stay.
Avoid Cancellations. Ensure you inform your guests of any changes or modifications to their bookings in a timely manner. In the case of any sudden or unexpected incidents, seek an alternative that meets your guest’s needs, as they will surely appreciate it and reflect it in their review, helping you maintain your good reputation and image.
Regularly Assess Your Prices and Keep Your Listings Updated. Your aim is to remain competitive, so you should regularly check your competition and take into account various parameters, such as weather conditions, any cultural events in the area, etc. Continuously strive to improve your listings and do not attempt to misrepresent the property or its amenities.
The Sparrow, a proven Superhost
The property management company The Sparrow has managed to earn the coveted Superhost distinction from its very first bookings. This distinction has been maintained throughout all its years of operation without interruption, meeting all four required criteria.
Therefore, you can be assured that if you follow all of the above, you can not only achieve but also maintain the Superhost badge, enjoying all the benefits it brings.
By choosing The Sparrow for the management of your property, you can rest assured of the prompt execution of every new directive, as well as being confident that your property’s guests will enjoy an unforgettable stay.
