The Travel Runner

Looking to get an Airbnb discount? Find out how to get a discount on Airbnb with these 10 tips and save on your next Airbnb booking.

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Did you know that 60% of folks miss out on sweet discounts when booking their Airbnb stay?

If you’re in that majority, let’s change it. Today, I’m unveiling some savvy tips I use to get hefty discounts when I stay at an Airbnb, making my global travels a tad lighter on the wallet.

And the cool part? Once you breeze through this post, you’ll save money on your next Airbnb booking, too.

Ready to dive into the world of discounts? Let’s roll!

10 ways to get a discount on Airbnb

1. Book a weekly Airbnb reservation

Remember the days of Airbnb promo codes, Airbnb coupons, and Airbnb referral goodies? 

They’ve taken a backseat.

But don’t fret, the discount train hasn’t left the station yet. Now, one of the simplest ways to save on Airbnb is by booking a longer stay – think a week.

Ditch those short 3-4 day stays and go for a solid 7 days or more. Many hosts throw in a weekly discount if you do.

And all you do is just pop over to the Airbnb website, punch in your details for a week-long stay, and bam! you’re in discount territory.

As you’re searching for an Airbnb listing, you’ll see the weekly discount kicks in automatically — no hoop-jumping required.

And here’s a pro tip: Don’t just settle for the first discounted Airbnb you stumble upon. Keep shuffling those dates and eyeing different stays to find the best ones.

Even post-booking, keep that discount radar on. Spot a better rate? You can often hit cancel and bag a full refund if it’s 30 days out or within the 48-hour grace period post-booking.

This little trick has slashed my Airbnb bills in cool spots like Ksamil and Theth National Park.

2. Book a monthly Airbnb reservation

Imagine this: you’ve got a full month ahead with no set plans, and you’re yearning for a change of scenery.

Why not book an Airbnb for a whole month and dive into a new culture? Not only do you get a taste of local life, but you also get a monthly discount on your Airbnb booking. Sounds like a win-win, right?

It’s simple, really. When you book a stay for 30 days or more on Airbnb, many hosts offer discounts. It’s their way of filling up the calendar and your way of saving some cash. 

Just head over to the Airbnb website, enter your stay details stretching out to a month or more, and voila! The discounted rate pops up.

Now, not every host will offer the same discount. They have the reins on pricing.

So, a little tip from me: don’t just settle on the first place you find. Play around with the dates, check different places, and find that sweet spot where the price and place align perfectly.

Finding a weekly or monthly discount is my favorite Airbnb hack to help me find discounts. It becomes sort of a game, mixing and matching dates and places to unearth the best deals.

And the satisfaction of snagging a great deal? Unbeatable.

3. Extend your Airbnb stay by a day or two

Let’s shed the old-school notion of “more days, more pay.”

Welcome to the Airbnb realm, where stretching your stay by a day or two could unlock a treasure trove of discounts. Yes, we’re talking about the chance to snag a 50 percent discount!

Here’s a little show-and-tell:

Okay, not terrible. 

Now, what happens if you sprinkle an extra day on that?

You just saved $42 by adding one more day. Cool, huh?

Now, let’s jazz it up a bit.

You’re daydreaming about Rome, the aroma of fresh pasta, the allure of gelato under the Italian sun.

You dive into your Airbnb account to see what Rome has in store:

Not too shabby for a long-term stay in the heart of Rome.

But hey, who wouldn’t mind a few extra bucks for some more gelato scoops? So, let’s add just one more day to the booking on Airbnb.

Boom! You just slashed over $400 off your bill by adding a day, bringing your nightly rate down from $72.14 to $57.46 for a 28-day stay.

Pretty sweet, right? It might not be a jackpot every time, but it’s worth the try.

4. Look for an early bird discount

Ah, the early bird indeed gets the worm, or in this case, a nifty discount on Airbnb.

Think of it as a little pat on the back for being ahead of the game. Start hunting for your nest several months in advance, and keep an eye out for the ‘early bird discount’ badge like this one here:

Now, it might not be a jaw-dropping cut, but hey, some hosts throw in a better discount to reel in early bookings.

Even if it shaves off just $10, that’s money in your pocket for those pesky cleaning and service fees.

Remember, every bit counts.

5. Use Airbnb’s plus/minus feature

Got some wiggle room with your travel dates?

If yes, you’re about to become best buds with Airbnb’s plus/minus feature. This neat little tool lets you slide your trip dates around, giving you a peek at the rates for ±1, ±2, ±3, or even ±7 days before or after your penciled-in dates.

It’s all about finding that sweet spot that’ll get you a discount on Airbnb.

Let’s paint a picture.

Say you’ve got your heart set on a budget-friendly European adventure, with Barcelona stealing the spotlight. The architectural marvels of Gaudi and the towering La Sagrada Família have been on your bucket list. So, you swing by Airbnb to scout for some comfy stays.

You slot in your dates — March 27th to April 3rd (who doesn’t love a Spain spring?)

Now, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and save money. You tap on the ±7 days option because you’re cool with shuffling your dates.

The more options, the merrier, right?

Your screen now dishes out a buffet of options spanning from March 20th to April 10th. It’s all in the neighborhood of the trip length you wanted.

The beauty of Airbnb’s search engine is it doesn’t make you sweat for discounts.

With a little click here and a little scroll there, you’re on your way to nabbing a deal that’ll make your stay in Barcelona a tad sweeter and lighter on the wallet.

👉 Want the best Airbnb hacks?: 17 Airbnb Hacks to Make Your Stay Cheap and Fun!

6. Book a last-minute Airbnb

Have a plan B for where to crash?

If yes, let’s dive into a little game of patience that could trim down your Airbnb bill.

The closer the date, the more hosts lean towards slicing their listing prices to reel in guests. It’s good old supply and demand doing its dance. And this is your cue to swoop in on a discount for those pricier stays.

You might spot these discounts lurking around a month before your trip, but the real magic happens when you’re scouting dates just a week or two out.

I’ve road-tested this strategy in cozy corners like Hoi An in Vietnam and the serene Koh Yao Yai in Thailand.

As you search, keep your eyes out for prices like this:

We’re talking nightly prices here.

So, that $10 or $20 you’re shaving off? That’s not a one-time save; it’s a nightly deal. Before you know it, you’ve stacked up a neat pile of savings.

And just imagine, all those bucks you save could fund a spontaneous day trip or a hearty local meal.

7. Ask the Airbnb host for a discount

Ah, the age-old question: “Can you haggle a bit on Airbnb?”

Well, here’s the lowdown: Absolutely.

It’s not unheard of for travelers to message hosts and politely ask for a discounted rate. I mean, if you don’t ask, the answer’s always a no, right?

First, it helps if you have some positive reviews yourself from previous Airbnb rentals. Hosts give discounts to travelers they can trust, not just random people.

Next, kick things off by hitting up the host for an Airbnb special offer. Remember, keep the convo courteous. A discount isn’t a given; it’s a nice gesture from the host if they decide to slide a special discount your way.

Now, if the host decides to stick to their guns on the price, no biggie. They don’t have to give you a discount.

Here’s a little detour for you: eye up Airbnb properties that are looking for their first Airbnb guest, the ones yet to collect reviews. 

New hosts might be keen on locking down their first few bookings and could be more open to shaving a bit off the price to get the ball rolling.

And who knows, they might even slice a bit off your next booking, too!

If you want to learn more about reaching out to Airbnb hosts, be sure to check out my guide on asking for a discount on Airbnb.

8. Find a discounted Airbnb gift card

Here’s a trick that needs a bit of a keen eye but can save you some cash — buying discounted Airbnb gift cards. Now and then, stores like Sam’s Club put Airbnb gift cards on sale.

For example, a $50 gift card might go for $48.48, and a $500 one for $484.80. It’s not a jackpot, but hey, savings are savings!

Especially around holiday times, keep an eye on big retail chains for these deals. It’s a simple way to get discounts on Airbnb without much hassle.

9. Use a credit card with bonus points for Airbnb

Love collecting credit card points?

Here’s a fun fact: you can use them to save on your Airbnb stay. Cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve offer a $300 annual travel credit. Why not use it for a cozy Airbnb getaway?

There are other cards, too, like Capital One Venture, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and American Express Green Card.

Or, grab the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, earn gift cards, and you’ve got yourself an Airbnb discount.

You can even use the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card to earn gift cards and earn an Airbnb discount!

The Points Guy is an excellent resource that dives deeper into credit card rewards.

10. Travel with more people

Here’s a quirky tip: sometimes, the number of guests can help you save a lot of money. 

Take a look at this Tokyo stay. The price remains the same for one or two guests. So, $376 for a week instead of $752 sounds like a sweet deal, right?

It’s the same story in many places. Though some prices may increase with more guests, the increase is often minimal.

So, tweak the guest number, and you might just nab a stay discount!

👉 Want an easy way to find cheap flights?: Hopper App Review: Is It Legit for Cheap Flights

Ready to get an excellent new Airbnb with these offer tips?

Snagging all types of discounts on an Airbnb can be challenging, but it’s always worth it.

The moment I start planning a trip, I always check Airbnb first. (Then, before I know it, I’m on the checkout page 😅)

Hopefully, these tips and tricks will help you score a HUGE discount on your next Airbnb. Be sure to share this with family and friends, too!

And if you have any ways to get an Airbnb discount to share, let me know in the comments!