Airbnb is a San Francisco-based accommodations site that allows travelers to book unique temporary visits all across the world. Founded in 2008, the Airbnb community made it possible for travelers to book apartments, homes, villas, and even castles in over 191 countries at a reasonable rate. To date, Airbnb has over 2 million listings and more than 60 million people have booked their travel accommodations using the company's site.
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The Good
- Unique listings
- Online booking
- Mobile app
Unique Listings
Airbnb offers a unique experience to those looking to stray from the typical hotel perspective of traveling. The company allows customers to book apartments, town homes, condos, houses, villas, and castles through a network of "hosts," who must qualify to list their properties on Airbnb. These hosts can be found in the U.S. and internationally. The ability for customers to book properties not found with any other travel agency and stay in the middle of a big city or off in a small, rural town is something that makes Airbnb stand out from traditional booking bureaus.
Online Booking
Airbnb offers online booking, which makes the process simple and convenient for most consumers.
Mobile App
Airbnb offers a mobile app that can be downloaded to Apple and Android devices. Customers can use the mobile app to message hosts, book and view itineraries, and rate their stays.
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The Bad
- Lack of travel services
- No rewards program
- No travel insurance
Lack of Travel Services
Although Airbnb gives customers the ability to book a number of unique lodging accommodations, the company does not allow customers to book flights, car rentals, cruises, or vacation packages.
No Rewards Program
Unfortunately, Airbnb does not offer a rewards program for customers to participate in.
No Travel Insurance
Airbnb does not offer travel protection to cover its customers while they are on a trip.
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The Bottom Line
Airbnb offers thousands of unique listings, online booking options, and a mobile app. However, Airbnb's travel services are limited and the company does not offer a rewards program or travel insurance.