Beware instant bookings and low rated guests

ally140 · 03-08-2026, 12:40 AM

Beware of when you enable instant booking on. I received a guest with 3.3 rating and bad reviews booked our listing successfully... I think Airbnb silently turned off the good guest rating option for instant booking.
More context: I asked why the guest can book with 3.3 rating, the support gave below answer

Airbnb Support 3:42 PM

Thank you for the confirmation, Regarding the booking you received was it was due to guest having a review rating for 3.5 which qualified for your listing based on the settings. If you do not feel comfortable we can go ahead and cancel if you give us the permission for a full refund.

pointy · 03-08-2026, 12:42 AM

It’s been that way for a a while with instantbook. This is why so many threads here suggest against having instantbook. I wish they would make it so guests who meet a certain rating or criteria instant book (all 5 stars, over xxx number of stays.

Heathen · 03-08-2026, 12:44 AM

I absolutely would not trust instant book. Within a month I've had two local people frantically reaching out about how I need to approve their next day booking. One was requesting to be let in immediately to drop off their things. Peace of mind is worth losing the bookings.