Planning a trip this fall? It’s a beautiful time for sightseeing and enjoying the cooler weather, but travel is expensive — especially when it comes to accommodations. Because of that, many turn to Airbnb. However, in some cases, the platform now costs more than hotels due to rising fees and taxes, which add an average of 40.33% to the total cost on whole-unit Airbnbs, according to Upgraded Points.
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While Airbnb is convenient, great for groups and can offer unique experiences, it’s become too pricey for many travelers. But there are ways to get around paying top dollar with simple travel tips. Here are four expert hacks for booking a cheap Airbnb this fall.
Also see five ways to maximize your savings at a vacation rental.
Take Advantage of Dynamic Pricing
Dynamic pricing is a strategy often used in the vacation rental industry. The nightly rate of an Airbnb can adjust automatically based on real-time events, such as music festivals, events, the time of the season and more. While dynamic pricing can increase the price based on demand, there’s a trick to making it work in your favor, according to David Ciccarelli, CEO of Lake.com.
“If you’re booking an Airbnb for an event, such as a music concert or festival that was just announced, book your accommodations before the dynamic pricing tools kick in to avoid seeing a surge in the daily rate,” he explained. “You can save as much as 50%.”
Additionally, Ciccarelli advised adjusting the check-in and check-out dates if you can be flexible “to find the sweet spot, typically in the middle of the week.”
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Book on a Different Platform
Not everyone runs their own Airbnb. Property management companies are frequently hired to handle the bookings, and the listing can sometimes be found on other sites for cheaper.
“You’ll often find lower rates there, as for the hosts, it means not paying commission to Airbnb,” said Lauren Gumport, vice president of communications and brand at Faye Travel Insurance.
Saving money by not paying fees can add up, but it’s not always obvious where to find the listing on other platforms. But there’s a tip for that as well.
“To find a host’s direct booking site, look for clues in the listing, such as a brand name or watermark in the photos,” said Andrew Schorr, director of product at property management software Hospitable. “You can also use Google Travel, which compares listings from a range of sources, including direct booking sites. Because Google doesn’t take a commission, the price you see is often the most competitive.”
Trigger a Promotion
How many nights you book can matter when it comes to pricing, so to get the best deal, Ciccarelli said there is usually a discount if you stay a certain number of days.
“Book six or seven days, never five or eight, as many hosts use a type of promotion called ‘Length of Stay’ promotion that is set for one week, defined by either six nights or seven days,” he said. “By doing so, you could save yourself an easy 10% or more, depending on how aggressive the host is with their promotion.”
Negotiate Politely With Hosts
Hosts advertise on Airbnb because of the wide reach, but they have to pay a fee to the platform and sometimes are willing to negotiate with you to get around the charge.
“If you’re booking a longer stay or traveling off-season, reaching out to the host to ask whether they’ll adjust the rate can lead to meaningful savings,” said Kyle Kroeger, founder and editor-in-chief of ViaTravelers. “Many hosts are willing to lower prices when they don’t have to pay high platform fees.”
Fewer crowds and crisp weather make fall one of the best times to travel, and with these Airbnb booking tips, you don’t have to overspend to enjoy your getaway.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Hacks To Book a Cheap Airbnb This Fall
