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Airbnb Property Management Blog

What Is An Airbnb SuperHost?

You’ve heard quite a lot about superman, superstar and superhero, but what is this new term Airbnb Superhost? Well, let me tell you it’s that hero aka host (this is the one without any capes) that saves the day, solves guests’ problems and provides an excellent stay experience. But you must be wondering, what counts as an excellent experience, how can one become an Airbnb Superhost? What are the perks and the privileges of becoming an Airbnb Superhost? 

Patience, fellas. We are here to spill the beans. In this blog, We will enlighten you with everything that you need to know about becoming an Airbnb Superhost!

What Is An Airbnb Superhost?

An Airbnb Superhost is someone who provides an exceptional experience to the guests. Someone with less complaints and more satisfied guests. They consistently receive positive reviews from the guests and are committed to improving and refining their hosting skills. They take pride in their hosting duties and create a welcoming environment for their guests.

To acknowledge their efforts, Airbnb gives a special orange and a red badge on their host profile to let everyone know that they are an amazing host. It is the status that all hosts aim to achieve as it has its own benefits.

How To Become An Airbnb Superhost? - 08 Tips

There are some requirements that you would need to meet to become a superhost. Anyone can become an Airbnb Superhost, but you would need to fulfill the following conditions given by Airbnb over the course of 12 months:

  1. Achieve a High Guest Rating (4.8 or Above)
  2. Maintain a Low Cancellation Rate (Less Than 1%)
  3. Response Rate Should be 90%
  4. Host a Minimum Number of Stays (10 in a Year)
  5. Encourage Positive Reviews from Guests
  6. Provide Accurate Listings and Clear Expectations
  7. Handle Problems With Efficiency. Offer A Refund, Always!
  8. Communicate With Trust

1. Achieve a High Guest Rating (4.8 or Above)

Maintain a high guest rating of 4.8 or higher to be an Airbnb Superhost. Pay attention to providing an immaculate, well-maintained space, clear communication, and thoughtful touches that add to their stay. Request guests to give honest reviews politely after their visit. Address concerns during their stay to ensure satisfaction. Regularly review feedback to identify improvement areas, and implement changes to consistently deliver a five-star experience. Aiming for excellence with every booking will naturally result in higher ratings over time.

2. Maintain a Low Cancellation Rate (Less Than 1%)

The lower the cancellations rate, the better chances there are to become a superhost. Maintaining low cancellation – less than 1% means you can only cancel one booking out of 100. Yeah, quiet pressurising – but this would help you achieve the status of superhost on Airbnb.

3. Response Rate Should be 90%

To ensure your commitment to your guests, try to be as active as possible. Reply to the guests quickly and professionally. You should be able to maintain your response rate up to 90% by having smooth communication and responding to all of the guest’ queries. If not possible, you can hire a team of professionals to swifty reply to the guest concerns before or during the stay. 

4. Host a Minimum Number of Stays (10 in a Year)

You have to host at least 10 stays within a year or complete 100 nights across three reservations to be an Airbnb Superhost. This milestone ensures you have enough hosting experience to showcase your reliability. For this, promote your listing with competitive pricing, attractive photos, and clear descriptions. Consider offering discounts for longer stays or during low-demand seasons to attract more bookings. Maintaining responsiveness to bookings and having an up-to-date calendar can guarantee the same consistent reservations to allow you to meet or surpass the set number of stays.

5. Encourage Positive Reviews from Guests

Positive reviews are key to attaining Superhost status. This is because they depict how your guests feel about the place, thus helping your rating grow. To create an excellent review, create an unforgettable experience by providing exceptional hospitality, thoughtful amenities, and clear communication. Go an extra mile to offer personalized touches such as a welcome note or local recommendations. After the stay, send a nice and timely message thanking your guests and inviting them to share their feedback. Be professional and courteous in your interactions, as positive rapport often leads to glowing reviews. Consistently delivering quality experiences will naturally inspire guests to share their satisfaction.

6. Provide Accurate Listings and Clear Expectations

Clear listing with a clear understanding and proper expectations towards guests builds trust and minimizes miscommunications. The space’s descriptions should include features, layout, and amenities in as much detail as possible. Attach high-quality photos to depict the house accurately. Inform them of any house rules or check-in and check-out times as well as the limitations regarding shared spaces and noise levels. This can also help communicate the terms of cancellations as well as responsibilities of the guests. Transparency helps keep expectations under control and provides a much smoother time for you and your guests, thereby reducing the chances of unwanted negative reviews because of unmet expectations.

7. Handle Problems With Efficiency. Offer A Refund, Always!

Handling guest problems with empathy could turn a potential negative experience into a positive one. Listen to their concerns attentively and acknowledge their feelings as a sign that you actually care. Provide practical solutions quickly, such as the fixing of issues or providing alternative solutions. If the problem significantly affects their stay, consider offering a partial or full refund as a form of goodwill gesture. Refunds, for instance, indicate dedication to guest satisfaction while preserving their reputation. Extending oneself to solve a problem with compassion can turn an upset guest into a loyal one who appreciates professionalism.

8. Communicate With Trust

Communication is vital in the hosting experience, where trust can be built; respond quickly to guest questions with clear, polite, and professional messages. It is good to be candid about what your listing provides and clarify any questions or concerns immediately. Use a friendly, welcoming tone to help guests feel valued and welcomed. Be available to check in and ensure they’re comfortable but not intrusive while they are staying. Consistent and transparent communication fosters trust, reassures the guests, and increases their confidence in choosing your space for their travels.

Perks Of Being An Airbnb Superhost

The benefits of being an Airbnb Superhost goes far beyond that flashy little badge. The status of superhost comes with its own perks and privileges. Here are they:

  • Increased Visibility
  • High Earnings
  • Exclusive Rewards
  • Badge of Trust

-Increased Visibility

One of the best perks of being Airbnb Superhost is better visibility of your listings on the search engine. Increased visibility leads to more bookings as it attracts more guests.

-High Earnings

Having a track record of being an excellent host, you can drive more revenue by pricing your rental a bit higher than the other hosts. Guests are most likely to book with a trusted host, therefore leading to increased booking rates and generating more income. 

-Exclusive Rewards

As a Superhost, you get exclusive rewards, including travel coupons, priority customer support, and potential bonuses from Airbnb. These benefits do not only recognize your commitment to hospitality but also enrich your hosting experience. You may also be considered for special programs like Airbnb Plus, which gives you more exposure and earning capacity.

-Badge of Trust

The Superhost badge is a badge of trust and excellence that appears on your profile and listing. It gives guests assurance that you are a reliable and experienced host who consistently delivers excellent hospitality. This recognition makes you stand out from the competition, attracts more bookings, and builds confidence in your hosting capabilities.

How Much Do Airbnb Superhosts Make?

Superhosts earn significantly more than non-Superhosts, with annual revenue largely depending on whether they are individual operators or professional property managers. On average, individual Superhosts earn $44,627 annually, while professionally managed Superhosts earn about $72,196 per year due to charging higher average daily rates (ADRs) and often managing diverse or luxury property types. This represents a 29% higher revenue potential compared to non-Superhosts, making Superhost status a valuable milestone for maximizing earnings.

The clear criteria for achieving and maintaining Superhost status are met by 53% of Airbnb hosts. A common benchmark among Superhosts is a 4.9-star rating, which 71% of hosts meet or exceed. However, challenges are often faced by hosts with ratings as low as 4.7, as one negative review can have a major impact on their ability to retain Superhost status. Interestingly, 42% of the non-Superhosts who have 4.9-star ratings cannot achieve Superhost status due to other missing requirements. Still, non-Superhosts can attain five-star reviews 80% of the time compared to the 92% achieved by Superhosts, indicating the level of trust and satisfaction inspired by Superhosts.

Difference Between SuperHost and Host

Feature

Airbnb Host

Airbnb Superhost

Status

Basic hosting tier, open to all new hosts.

Elite hosting status earned by meeting specific criteria.

Guest Rating

Can have varied ratings, depending on guest experiences.

Must maintain a rating of 4.8 or higher.

Cancellation Rate

May have occasional cancellations.

Must maintain a cancellation rate of less than 1%.

Response Time

Not strictly monitored.

Must respond to at least 90% of guest inquiries within 24 hours.

Number of Stays

No specific requirements.

Must complete at least 10 stays in a year.

Visibility

Standard listing visibility.

Higher visibility in search results and filters.

Earnings

Depends on bookings and listing performance.

29% higher average earnings due to trust and credibility.

Trust Symbol

No additional badge.

Superhost badge displayed on profile and listings.

Exclusive Rewards

Not eligible for special perks.

Eligible for rewards like travel coupons and priority support.

Guest Satisfaction

Typically lower than Superhosts.

Consistently high guest satisfaction with 92% five-star reviews.

Quick Tips To Achieve A SuperHost Status

  • Respond to guest inquiries within 30 Minutes  to maintain a high response rate
  • Set competitive pricing to attract more bookings and increase occupancy rates
  • Optimize your listing with high-quality photos, accurate description and relevant keywords
  • Deliver exceptional guest experiences by providing amenities and service that exceed expectations
  • Maintain a high review score by encouraging guests to leave reviews and respond to feedback
  • Keep your calendar updated to avoid last-minute cancellations or over-booking
  • Develop a comprehensive house manual to provide clear instructions and guidelines for guests
  • Invest in quality amenities to enhance the guest experience and increase satisfaction
  • Conduct regular property inspections to identify and address any issues or maintenance needs

Final Thought

Being an Airbnb Superhost may be challenging, but it can be achieved following the proper strategy and consistent action. So, if your focus will be on superior hospitality and clear communication between you and guests, as well as complying with the regulations of Airbnb, you shall be sure to enhance the hosting experience and enjoy a Superhost status. Alternatively, seek professional help, or perhaps some tools will be at your disposal. With dedication and the right strategies, reaching Superhost level is within your grasp.

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