AirBNB- legit?

BMW F22 · 03-19-2014, 09:02 PM

Do you guys have any experience with them? I have read that for the most part they are legit. However, there have been horror stories. I'm looking to book an apartment for my Euro trip and would like to see what you guys have to say.

smellfish · 03-19-2014, 09:07 PM

Used them for a stay in NYC. Overall positive experience. Saved a ton over E-Zoo weekend. Just look for a bunch of reviews and certified pictures.

Devious21 · 03-19-2014, 09:23 PM

I hear they are good if you want to have a FreakFest.

(NSFW)
http://gizmodo.com/airbnb-no-thanks-...ght-1545054802

smellfish · 03-19-2014, 09:28 PM

Seems like I missed out...

BMW F22 · 03-19-2014, 10:08 PM

Lol

mccannable · 03-19-2014, 10:50 PM

My poor brother is using them through Ireland and has couch surfed across the us.

BMW F22 · 03-19-2014, 11:09 PM

We're thinking about renting an apartment in each of the cities we're traveling to. It's cheaper than hotels and offers more room. Just curious of it's safe that's all. I mean it does seem like it is and the majority of reviews are positive.

andrey_gta · 03-19-2014, 11:43 PM

Used Airbnb in NYC, Paris, London, Scotland always with positive experiences. Always message and seek positive reviews listings, quick response times, and spam like crazy to all available listings for your stay window, ask for special rates for 1+ week stays. Also a as courtesy let your shortlist places know you bookeda listing.

If no reviews, seek great photos, verification of id and Facebook connected

booking.com also has apartments

BMW F22 · 03-19-2014, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Used Airbnb in NYC, Paris, London, Scotland always with positive experiences. Always message and seek positive reviews listings, quick response times, and spam like crazy to all available listings for your stay window, ask for special rates for 1+ week stays. Also a as courtesy let your shortlist places know you bookeda listing.

If no reviews, seek great photos, verification of id and Facebook connected

booking.com also has apartments

I was looking on booking.com too. Is it preferable over airbnb or are they pretty much the same? Which bnb place did you rent in Paris? Thanks!

KingOfJericho · 03-20-2014, 06:40 AM

I used airbnb in Rome and it worked out quite nicely.

JL350 · 03-20-2014, 07:01 AM

I prefer booking.com. Airbnb will take your money immediately when you try and book an apartment, but take five days to return it if the booking is not accepted. Gives the credit card a workout if a week(s) accomodation which is not accepted by the owner...

talisman311 · 03-20-2014, 09:19 AM

Used airbnb.com for a week-long stay in Rio. Saved money and had a great apartment right between copacabana and ipanema. Check the reviews and you should be good to go. If you're new, you probably want to do it well in advance incase the owner has questions.

BMW F22 · 03-20-2014, 09:41 AM

Great, sounds like it's a pretty safe and legit way to go. I'll start inquiring about a few places. Thank you everyone!

andrey_gta · 03-20-2014, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW E90

I was looking on booking.com too. Is it preferable over airbnb or are they pretty much the same? Which bnb place did you rent in Paris? Thanks!

Booking is an alternative, my father used it for Spain with good success. Airbnb is more hands on forcing you to hunt for a deal, booking.com is less hassle but you get less selection.
Aibnb has new rules about refunds and cancellations make sure you understand difference between moderate vs strict
Before booking Airbnb with host I would actually share at least 4 messages back to back to make sure availability of the apartment, and host is able to meet and give you keys, same for check out process. This has saved me the credit card workout mentioned before

TripAdvisor is another option but its more like classifieds
Roomorama is another Airbnb style place, its newer but pretty much has all the same features.

Paris flat is no longer available, it was in the 11th district near champs de elissey/ arc triumph/ Parc monsseau.

Basically I think you need to work to find a deal and be on 3 places at once.

Maestro · 03-20-2014, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devious21

I hear they are good if you want to have a FreakFest.

(NSFW)
http://gizmodo.com/airbnb-no-thanks-...ght-1545054802

That is pretty funny, and I can see someone doing that... the down side risk of renting your place out.

Go figure it was someone from Philly that rented the guys place out...

italia · 03-20-2014, 01:45 PM

VRBO.com and HomeAway.com are two others. I've used both of them with good results.

spencers · 03-20-2014, 03:45 PM

Haven't used airBNB. Came close to it when I was in Geneva. Opted for a boutique hotel instead.

I used HouseTrip for a place in Nice, France. Worked great!

Inspired · 03-20-2014, 10:36 PM

I used it once. I'm a bit worried after reading online that someone found a small spycam in their bedroom.

RR-NYC · 03-20-2014, 11:17 PM

Is it a scam? Hell no. Its a legitimate business that boasts that each night, they fill more rooms than Hilton. They are close to securing a round of funding that values it more that Hyatt and Wyndham hotels. I've never used them but all my my brother swears by it and has traveled all over the world staying at airbnb places.

You definitely want to rent from a person who has reviews and a lot of pics. Get a basic understanding the neighborhood you want to say in and ask a lot of questions of the renter.

dreamingat30fps · 03-20-2014, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inspired

I used it once. I'm a bit worried after reading online that someone found a small spycam in their bedroom.

It's ok, once they catch a glimpse of this bad boy they will stop putting spycams.

BMW F22 · 03-20-2014, 11:33 PM

Thanks guys! I've sent a message to a host inquiring about an apt in Rome for a few nights. I'm looking at places in the other cities we're planning on stopping in as well.

BTW, is security and safety ever of concern to anyone here? I mean let's say we go out during the day, who's watching our stuff? Also, what does it mean when it says "$20/per night after 3 people"?

RR-NYC · 03-21-2014, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW E90

Thanks guys! I've sent a message to a host inquiring about an apt in Rome for a few nights. I'm looking at places in the other cities we're planning on stopping in as well.

BTW, is security and safety ever of concern to anyone here? I mean let's say we go out during the day, who's watching our stuff? Also, what does it mean when it says "$20/per night after 3 people"?

You are renting a person's home/apartment so you lock up when you head out just as you would at your own house.

$20/per night after 3 people means you are paying an additional $20 per night for each additional person. If you have 4 in your party, you pay $20 per night for that 4th person

03-19-2014, 09:02 PM	#1
BMW F22 Major General 3566 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	AirBNB- legit? Do you guys have any experience with them? I have read that for the most part they are legit. However, there have been horror stories. I'm looking to book an apartment for my Euro trip and would like to see what you guys have to say.
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03-19-2014, 09:07 PM	#2
smellfish No one on the corner has stagger like us 50 Rep 343 Posts Drives: '11 AW E90 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: COS iTrader: (2)	Used them for a stay in NYC. Overall positive experience. Saved a ton over E-Zoo weekend. Just look for a bunch of reviews and certified pictures. __________________
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03-19-2014, 09:23 PM	#3
Devious21 Captain 38 Rep 711 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4M Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (1)	I hear they are good if you want to have a FreakFest. (NSFW) http://gizmodo.com/airbnb-no-thanks-...ght-1545054802 __________________ \|Evolve Airbox - Euro Headers - Strömung Exhaust - H&R Coils - 19" BBS CH-R\|
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03-19-2014, 09:28 PM	#4
smellfish No one on the corner has stagger like us 50 Rep 343 Posts Drives: '11 AW E90 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: COS iTrader: (2)	Seems like I missed out... __________________
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03-19-2014, 10:08 PM	#5
BMW F22 Major General 3566 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	Lol
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03-19-2014, 10:50 PM	#6
mccannable First Lieutenant 191 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2014 X1 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: central fl iTrader: (2)	My poor brother is using them through Ireland and has couch surfed across the us.
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03-19-2014, 11:09 PM	#7
BMW F22 Major General 3566 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	We're thinking about renting an apartment in each of the cities we're traveling to. It's cheaper than hotels and offers more room. Just curious of it's safe that's all. I mean it does seem like it is and the majority of reviews are positive.
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03-19-2014, 11:43 PM	#8
andrey_gta Brigadier General 298 Rep 4,040 Posts Drives: 130i coupé ;) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bimmerpost iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	Used Airbnb in NYC, Paris, London, Scotland always with positive experiences. Always message and seek positive reviews listings, quick response times, and spam like crazy to all available listings for your stay window, ask for special rates for 1+ week stays. Also a as courtesy let your shortlist places know you bookeda listing. If no reviews, seek great photos, verification of id and Facebook connected booking.com also has apartments __________________ 128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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03-20-2014, 06:40 AM	#10
KingOfJericho Major General 2452 Rep 7,341 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 135i Coupe [5.26]	I used airbnb in Rome and it worked out quite nicely. __________________ The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Bimmerpost. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude Hemi \| 2010 S4 Sold \| 2010 BMW 135i Retired \| 2006 Lotus Exige Sold
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03-20-2014, 07:01 AM	#11
JL350 Enlisted Member 20 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2.0D X4 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Australia iTrader: (0)	I prefer booking.com. Airbnb will take your money immediately when you try and book an apartment, but take five days to return it if the booking is not accepted. Gives the credit card a workout if a week(s) accomodation which is not accepted by the owner...
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03-20-2014, 09:19 AM	#12
talisman311 First Lieutenant 43 Rep 358 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Richmond, VA iTrader: (0)	Used airbnb.com for a week-long stay in Rio. Saved money and had a great apartment right between copacabana and ipanema. Check the reviews and you should be good to go. If you're new, you probably want to do it well in advance incase the owner has questions. __________________ 2006 e90 330i \| Black/Terra \| 6MT \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW
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03-20-2014, 09:41 AM	#13
BMW F22 Major General 3566 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	Great, sounds like it's a pretty safe and legit way to go. I'll start inquiring about a few places. Thank you everyone!
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03-20-2014, 01:45 PM	#16
italia Private 0 Rep 71 Posts Drives: Cars:German\|Motorbikes:Italian Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	VRBO.com and HomeAway.com are two others. I've used both of them with good results. __________________ Past BMWs: '85 325e - E30, MT '88 M3 - E30, MT '94 530i - E34, MT '97 540i - E39, MT
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03-20-2014, 03:45 PM	#17
spencers Captain 199 Rep 649 Posts Drives: Sthrizzle Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: A iTrader: (6)	Haven't used airBNB. Came close to it when I was in Geneva. Opted for a boutique hotel instead. I used HouseTrip for a place in Nice, France. Worked great!
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03-20-2014, 10:36 PM	#18
Inspired Colonel 148 Rep 2,368 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: California iTrader: (2)	I used it once. I'm a bit worried after reading online that someone found a small spycam in their bedroom.
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03-20-2014, 11:17 PM	#19
RR-NYC Captain 154 Rep 663 Posts Drives: 2020 X3MC Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: NYC / Miami Beach iTrader: (0)	Is it a scam? Hell no. Its a legitimate business that boasts that each night, they fill more rooms than Hilton. They are close to securing a round of funding that values it more that Hyatt and Wyndham hotels. I've never used them but all my my brother swears by it and has traveled all over the world staying at airbnb places. You definitely want to rent from a person who has reviews and a lot of pics. Get a basic understanding the neighborhood you want to say in and ask a lot of questions of the renter.
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03-20-2014, 11:33 PM	#21
BMW F22 Major General 3566 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	Thanks guys! I've sent a message to a host inquiring about an apt in Rome for a few nights. I'm looking at places in the other cities we're planning on stopping in as well. BTW, is security and safety ever of concern to anyone here? I mean let's say we go out during the day, who's watching our stuff? Also, what does it mean when it says "$20/per night after 3 people"?
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