How to become a Superhost on Airbnb: 2023 Guide

Having your own vacation rental on Airbnb is a great way to boost your income and offer travelers unique local experiences. Although setting up an Airbnb account is straightforward, it requires more effort to secure bookings and receive favorable reviews.

Getting started on Airbnb and earning numerous positive reviews can be challenging, especially if you aim to become a Superhost. Nevertheless, there's no need to fret, as you possess all the necessary qualities and resources to achieve Superhost status on Airbnb.

What does it mean to be a Superhost on Airbnb? 

A Superhost on Airbnb refers to an individual, manager, or owner of a vacation rental who goes above and beyond to provide an exceptional experience for Airbnb guests. Essentially, a Superhost is fully dedicated to ensuring the satisfaction of their guests by offering outstanding accommodations, excellent hospitality services, and a warm welcome.

To achieve Superhost status, hosts must fulfill a set of criteria established by Airbnb. We will delve into these requirements in greater detail in the article. Once these criteria are met, Superhost status is automatically granted, eliminating the need for hosts to make a specific request to attain it.

What are the advantages of becoming an Airbnb Superhost?

Reaching a Superhost status on Airbnb brings several benefits for you as a host. Here are the key advantages:

1. Enhanced visibility:

   Airbnb prioritises the visibility of Superhost listings over others (or at least, that’s what Airbnb claims they do). As Superhosts are trusted more readily by Airbnb users, this increased visibility can attract a higher number of guests to your listing.

2. A trust credit from potential guests:

   Displaying the Superhost badge serves as a mark of excellence. By doing so, you assure guests of a pleasant and memorable experience. Some travelers even use search filters to exclusively view listings from Superhosts, increasing your chances of attracting more users and bookings.

3. Revenue boost:

   Superhost status often leads to a significant increase in rental income. Travelers tend to prefer booking accommodations with Superhosts due to the assurance of exceptional service and the trust associated with the badge. This can result in a tangible rise in your income.

4. Higher occupancy rates:

   According to Airbnb, Superhosts enjoy an 81% higher occupancy rate compared to regular hosts. This means more bookings and potentially up to 60% more daily revenue compared to non-Superhosts.

5. Priority support:

   Airbnb provides special support to Superhosts, granting them priority access to the support team. This preferential treatment can facilitate the resolution of any issues or concerns you may encounter during hosting.

What criteria must you meet to become an Airbnb Superhost?

To qualify for Airbnb Superhost status and earn the official badge on your profile and listings, you need to meet specific criteria.

Every quarter, Airbnb evaluates your hosting performance for the last 12 months. Each quarterly assessment is a 5-day period beginning on:

• 1 January

• 1 April

• 1 July

• 1 October

If you meet the programme requirements by the assessment date, you’ll automatically become a Superhost – no need to apply. We’ll notify you of your status at the end of each assessment period. It may take up to 1 week for your Superhost badge to show up on your listing.

Here are the requirements to become a Superhost:

1. Overall rating of 4.8 or higher:

   Superhosts must maintain an average rating of 4.8 or above, which is based on customer reviews from the past year. This rating reflects the exceptional service and quality hospitality provided by Superhosts and demonstrates their dedication to guest satisfaction.

   A review counts towards Superhost status when either both the guest and the Host have submitted a review, or the 14-day window for reviews is over, whichever comes first

2. Minimum of 10 stays (or 100 nights over 3 stays):

   Airbnb hosts should have hosted at least 10 stays within the previous year or have accommodated guests for a total of 100 nights spread across at least 3 separate stays (for long-term rentals). This requirement shows that Superhosts have ample experience and can be trusted by guests.

3. Cancellation rate below 1%:

   Superhosts are expected to minimize cancellations. They must maintain a cancellation rate of less than 1%. Superhosts can only cancel reservations in exceptional circumstances like natural disasters, government restrictions, military activities, or officially declared emergencies. The only exceptions are made for hosts who fall under Airbnb’s Extenuating Circumstances policy
   
   

4. 90% response rate:

   Effective communication plays a vital role in the success of a short-term rental business. Superhosts must respond to at least 90% of new messages within 24 hours, whether they are inquiries, concerns, or reservation requests. Being responsive and attentive to guests' needs is crucial for Superhosts.

Note: These criteria are regularly reviewed by Airbnb to ensure that high standards of quality and guest satisfaction are consistently upheld.

Here are 5 tips to help you become an Airbnb Superhost:

1. Avoid cancellations:

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, never cancel a reservation. Keep your booking calendar up to date and use a Channel Manager to synchronize dates if your listing is on multiple platforms. Consistency and reliability are key.

2. Deliver an unforgettable welcome / check-in

The way you welcome your guests plays a significant role. Create a welcome booklet containing essential information and go the extra mile by offering a warm reception with a thoughtful welcome gift. This will help distinguish you from the competition.

To deliver that “oomp” factor, offer your guest an extended check-in time, using a remote check-in solution. Secure self-check-in service like KeyNest enable you to locate a nearby key deposit/collection point where you can safely deposit your keys. This way, your guests can collect the keys at their convenience, ensuring a warm welcome even in your absence.

3. Ensure pristine cleanliness:

It is crucial to maintain a high standard of cleanliness for your property. Take care to avoid common mistakes such as stained sheets, poorly cleaned dishes, or dusty surfaces. To achieve this, you can consider hiring a professional cleaner or utilizing an Airbnb concierge service.

4. Maintain responsive communication:

Providing excellent communication is key to becoming an Airbnb Superhost. Show your dedication to your guests by promptly responding to their inquiries and being available to address any questions or concerns they may have. This approach should be maintained throughout the entire guest journey, from the booking process to their departure.

5. Optimise your listing:

Create an appealing and comprehensive ad by considering various elements. Provide a detailed description that allows guests to visualize themselves staying at your place. Highlight the unique and attractive features of your home.

Maintain honesty in your listing. Refrain from exaggerating the size of rooms through deceptive angles or manipulative photography. It is essential to avoid disappointing travelers who may feel deceived by misleading advertisements (this could eventually have a bad effect in a form of lower-star reviews).

About Us

KeyNest offers you a convenient service for storing and exchanging your property keys. You can drop off a key at any of the 5,000+ locations in our network, so there’s one such Point located next to your property already.

Guests, cleaners or contractors can then collect the key securely from a KeyNest Point, which is usually open 24/7. You'll be notified each time the key is picked up or returned, and you can even customize check-in and check-out times.

KeyNest has an ever-expanding global network of locations located just minutes from your property. To find out more, visit our website: https://keynest.com/