There are many factors and options to consider when renting a place through Airbnb. At the end of one’s stay, especially an exceptional one, many renters question if they should leave a tip for the host.
Deciding to tip an Airbnb experience host is at the discretion of the renter. An Airbnb host has determined the rate that will be competitive in the market and will account for the additional expenses as a result of renting out their place. Most Airbnb hosts do not expect a tip because of the way the rate is structured.
Many Airbnb hosts realize there are many choices when travelers make a reservation. A host is competing with several forms of lodging and other hosts within Airbnb itself. Great hosts strive to create an incredible experience so that you will rave about it and tell others.
How Much Should I Tip an Airbnb Host if I Leave One?
Hosts are expected to handle it all, and sometimes that requires them to be inconvenienced at the most inopportune times. Even though answering a call at 3:00 in the morning from disgruntled guests is part of the job, a great host will never make it feel as if your needs are an inconvenience. They know the importance of keeping customers happy.
When renting in the United States, a range of 10%-25% of the entire stay is a good rule of thumb. (Check out these best Airbnb experiences in the USA!) If you are staying outside of the United States, ask around and do your due diligence. Check with the locals to determine if leaving a tip is acceptable because some cultures consider leaving a tip to be impolite and/or offensive. (See some of the coolest Airbnbs in Europe!)
An Airbnb experience host that does receive a tip, in any form, will welcome and appreciate it but do not expect to receive one. Those that are fortunate to receive one look at it as a form of validation. The tip is a way of saying that they did a great job and that you, the guest, was pleased with the accommodations and overall experience.
As you evaluate the decision to leave a tip, now you are faced with what would be considered appropriate. The easy answer is to tip whatever you are comfortable leaving but if you are still not sure, here are a couple of recommendations that will help you decide.
Evaluate your budget. The cost of going out to eat could be less expensive than what you thought, or you realize that you did not have to use the rental car as much because the unit was conveniently located. The ability to take your savings, or a percentage, is a great way to leave something extra for your host without busting your budget and spending more. (Check out these tips on how to save money for a vacation.)
Airbnb’s site is not set up to accept tips, and if you decide to tip your host, it is recommended to issue it through another cash exchange option. Leaving in the unit is commonly understood that it is for the cleaning staff.
If it is not convenient to leave a tip through another cash exchange site, replace the items you consumed. Many hosts will include delighters such as an elaborate tea/ coffee selection or a bottle of wine upon arrival. Taking those extra steps to replace those items will not go unnoticed if the items you want to replace are perishable, buy a gift card instead.
Depending on the circumstances, some hosts will develop a relationship with their renters. By having more of a personal connection, you would not have a second thought about inviting your host to join you for a cup of coffee or lunch before you depart. Feel out your host out to determine if this is an acceptable solution.
Is the Tip Amount Different on a Vacation Rental?
Many guests that stay in a vacation rental will tip differently. There are many more details and tasks that an Airbnb experience host must manage in a vacation rental. The next time you rent a vacation rental, think about some of these factors to help you decide to leave what kind of tip you want to leave:
Length of Stay
Typically vacation rental guests will be staying for a longer period, and more than likely will be using the home for more than just a place to crash.
Between renters, an excellent host will notice the wear and tear and address it immediately. A future renter might look at the stain on the carpet and question if they chose the right place.
On the flip side, having the unit occupied for a longer period of time benefits the host just as much. Instead of renting or cleaning the unit every couple of days, that period between renters is much longer.
Not having to coordinate arrivals and departures or to arrange when the apartment will be cleaned which makes it a little easier.
Overall Size
Vacation rentals tend to be larger rental units and will be able to house more guests as a result. To accommodate the additional guests, the host will need to make sure there are plenty on hand. The host does not have enough bed sheets or bath linens on hand will surely have disappointed guests, and more than likely, will receive an unpleasant phone call.
When having more guests, it can be easier to determine what tip to leave. Instead of just one person, or family, left to decide how much is appropriate, you can split the cost among several more.
Additional guests may be more inclined to leave a specific dollar amount per person, and that dollar figure can be defined before the reservation begins.
Additional Amenities
Vacation rentals will include additional amenities that you would not expect to see at another unit. It is the host’s responsibility to manage all the small details. Pools need to be cleaned, chlorine levels measured, logs at the fire pit need to be restocked, and board games are inspected.
The possibilities are endless, but it is the host that runs through the checklist before you arrive and when you depart.
Cleaning the Rental Space
The size of the rental will affect the host’s expenses. In a smaller unit, it is not uncommon for the host to maintain and clean the apartment, rather than outsourcing the cleaning to a company or other individual.
For the larger spaces, a host will need to hire a cleaner(s) the host will need to hire additional cleaners to do it well.
Today, especially with the pandemic, hosts have incurred additional expenses to keep the apartments clean in between renters. They have taken the necessary steps to make sure they have the correct cleaning agents on hand or have added additional measures to prevent the spread.
Do You Leave a Gift for an Airbnb Host?
All Airbnb experience hosts strive to create that memorable experience for those they welcome into their homes. Just as with a tip, a gift is not expected or required. However, leaving a well-thought gift or gesture can make a lasting impression.
Writing out a Thank You note is a convenient way of recognizing your host. Taking the time to acknowledge the accommodations and highlight everything you enjoyed confirms that their rental unit is special.
Many experience hosts want you to embrace their hometown just as much as they do. When engaging with your host, pay attention to the details and the tidbits of information they leave. There is a good chance that he/she has mentioned some of their favorite places to visit. Getting them cookies from their favorite bakery or a gift card to their favorite restaurant is money well spent.
While exploring the area, keep your host in mind. There is a good chance you will stumble upon that perfect souvenir that speaks to what they like or something that is along the lines of the décor of the unit.
For the experienced renters, sometimes the planning and thought process of leaving a gift started before arrival. Showcasing your hometown or sharing something of cultural significance with your host shows another side of you. In a small way, you are letting them see your world.
The possibilities are endless when deciding on a gift for your experience host. Use your best judgment because there are is no proper etiquette when selecting a gift. Get creative and have fun with it.
Do You Tip the Airbnb Cleaners?
A unit that is clean and smells fresh sometimes will go unnoticed. But the time, effort, and energy to get that rental to that level consistently is no easy task. When staying at a hotel, it is common to leave a tip for the housekeeper, but in a rental unit, the cleaners’ interaction is limited or non-existent.
Unlike hotels, there is a non-refundable cleaning fee in addition to the daily rate. That fee, which is usually non-negotiable, will fluctuate depending on the size of the unit, the total number of guests staying, or the length of stay.
An experienced host will make sure that the fee covers all expenses that go into getting that unit ready for the next arrival.
With that being said, some renters will still leave a tip for the cleaners because of the hard work that is required every time a guest checks out.
A good rule of thumb is to look at the length of stay or evaluate the work required to get the apartment back in order. A range of $3-$5 a day is a good benchmark to use when deciding.
Another way to help the cleaners is to take note of the rules when it is time to check out and go above and beyond. Be considerate and save the cleaners a couple of steps, and take the garbage out, put the dishes in the dishwasher or clean them by hand.
Take the unused sheets and linens or bath towels and keep them separate so the cleaners can tell the difference and are not washing the clean ones unnecessarily.
There are many other questions when it comes to tipping during travel. To learn more about how much to tip when traveling, check out that article!
Final Thoughts
Leaving a tip for an Airbnb experience host is done entirely at your discretion, so do not feel guilty if you choose not to.
Regardless of the decision you make, tell as many people as you can that you had a great experience!
If your host has thousands of reviews or only a handful, take a few minutes when you leave to write out an informative, genuine post about your stay. Your review will benefit your host as well as future renters looking for a similar experience.
(For more tips for doing an Airbnb experience, check out that article!)