So you’re ready for your next adventure, you type in your destination on Google and the two most popular booking sites come up – Airbnb and Booking.com – and now you’re left even more confused and asking yourself what difference would it make booking on either. As someone who has used both, I’ve compiled a simple breakdown of both sites and what each has to offer to ordinary travellers like you and me.
AIRBNB
Airbnb, an abbreviation for “air mattress B&B” is an online accommodation-sharing site that connects ordinary people wanting to rent out their homes and people searching for accommodation. Though the company has had a slow growth rate in its early stages, it seems to have grown on people and has become a large worldwide booking platform that has more than 6 million listings in 190 countries.
How does it work?
CREATE AN ACCOUNT
Sign up on Airbnb using my link and get R600 off on your first booking. You’ll be required to enter a few personal details as shown below. Alternatively, you can sign up using your Facebook or Google account. You will then go through a brief verification process and only once all of this is completed will you be able to use Airbnb.
FIND THE MOST SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR YOU
Type in your travel parameters (destination, check-in and check-out dates, number of guests) and a list of available accommodation will appear. Browse through the available listings and save the ones you’re most interested in by clicking on the heart displayed on the accommodation (this is demonstrated below). Before making your final decision on the accommodation, click on it to read the property reviews and all other necessary information which includes the description of the space, the amenities available, house rules, etc.
BOOK THE ACCOMMODATION
You’ve now looked at all your options, found a home you’re interested in and are ready to book. Click on “Request to book” thereafter you’ll be prompted to enter additional information about you and write a message to the host informing them of your arrival time. The host will then either accept or decline your request. If accepted, which is usually the case, they will communicate further instructions to you.
HOW TO EARN TRAVEL CREDIT
One cool thing about Airbnb is that it allows you to earn travel credits every time you share your referral link with a friend. To find this link, go on “profile” and click “invite friends” as shown below. Something to remember though is that you will only receive your credits once your friend has checked out. The credit will show up automatically before you pay for your next accommodation .This is a great way to cut down on accommodation costs. Once you’ve earned enough credit, you’ll be able to book accommodation free of charge. The more people you share your link with, the more credits you earn.
BOOKING.COM
Booking.com is one of the leading accommodation booking engines with a global audience. Like Airbnb, Booking.com connects people looking for a place to stay with available accommodation. The difference between the two booking engines is that Booking.com offers hotel accommodation and various transportation options. Signing up only requires your email address and password creation. Immediately after this, you will be able to enter your travel parameters and browse through all available properties. There is a “sort” option that allows you to sort accommodation according to price(low to high), distance, review score, etc.
Click on the accommodation you’re interested in to see reviews and pictures of the property. Once satisfied, select the “options” button to see the available accommodation options the property has. Select the option that’s the most appropriate for you and reserve the property.
Bonus– some accommodations don’t require immediate payment and let you pay after checking in instead.
That’s not all! 😉
Bookings.com has a rewards loyalty program for all those who have signed up on the website. The rewards include free breakfast in selected properties and up to 15% discounts on your bookings.
A few tips though…
- Try to keep all communication on the respective platforms. This is mainly for security reasons and to give you a good reference in case anything happens.
- Reading property reviews is extremely important. This will give you an indication of the experiences previous guests have with not just the property but the host as well.
- Always always compare accommodations between the two sites. More often than not, the same accommodation can be listed on both sites at different prices too.
- Use filters as much as possible, this will shorten your browsing time.
- Ask your host about any hidden costs before check-in to avoid unpleasant surprises. These can include a key deposit, room service costs, etc.
- Research the neighbourhood.
- Examine the pictures provided carefully.
- Find an accommodation with a free cancellation policy. This allows you to get refunded should you have to cancel for whatever reason.
In all true honesty, it doesn’t really matter which site you book on as it all comes down to your own personal preferences. There is something available for everyone no matter what type of travel experience you’re searching for. What are you waiting for?? GET BOOKING!
Still feeling undecided? Leave a question in the comment section below 🙂
The Travel Tutor 