How to Block Dates on Airbnb – Practical Guide

If you’re a host looking to take a well-deserved break, undergoing renovations, or simply want to restrict your listing’s availability for any reason, mastering the art of blocking dates on Airbnb is a crucial skill.

As one of the world’s most popular vacation rental platforms, Airbnb allows hosts to customize their listing’s calendars according to their needs.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of blocking dates on Airbnb, ensuring you have complete control over your property’s availability.

How to Block Dates on Airbnb

Step 1: Accessing the Calendar and Selecting a Listing

To start:

Log in to your Airbnb host account through the website or the Airbnb mobile app.

Once you’re logged in, go to the main dashboard and find the “Calendar” option.

Click on it to access your listing’s calendar.

Ensure that your calendars are linked for multiple listings.

Step 2: Selecting a Night or Multiple Nights

On the calendar view, you’ll see a layout of the entire month with dates that are currently available for booking. To block specific dates, navigate to the desired month, and find the dates you want to block.

Click or tap on the starting date of the period you wish to block, and if you want to block consecutive nights, simply drag your cursor or finger over the range of dates until you’ve selected all the nights you wish to block.

Step 3: Toggling Between Open and Block Nights

With the desired nights selected, you’ll see a small pop-up box displaying the basic details of the blocked nights. You’ll find two options within this box: “Open” and “Block.”

By default, the nights will be marked as “Open”, which means they are available for guests to book. To block these nights, click on the “Block” option.

Step 4: Editing Availability

Blocking nights can be a great way to ensure that your property remains unavailable during specific periods. However, it’s essential to have the flexibility to open up dates if needed.

To do this, you can use the “Edit availability” feature. After selecting the nights you want to block, click on the “Edit availability” button, and a new window will appear.

Step 5: Choose to Open or Block Your Nights

Additionally, if you want to block more nights or make further changes to your availability, you can repeat steps 2 and 3 within this “Edit availability” window.

Once you’ve made the necessary adjustments, click “Save” to apply the changes.

Helpful Tips for Effective Date Blocking

Plan Ahead and Anticipate Your Scheduling Needs

One of the key aspects of effective date blocking is planning your calendar ahead.

Take some time to review your personal and professional commitments, upcoming events, and any maintenance work required for your property.

This will help you identify periods when you must block dates to accommodate these activities.

Start by marking significant events such as vacations, family gatherings, or important work-related commitments on your personal calendar.

Once you have a clear schedule, you can block those dates on your Airbnb listing well in advance. You can also sync your Airbnb calendar with other personal calendars.

By doing so, you avoid any potential conflicts with bookings and offer your guests a reliable and consistent experience.

Communicate Blocked Dates with Potential Guests

Transparency is key when managing your calendar. You must first ensure you understand your calendar and booking settings.

If you have specific dates blocked for personal reasons or maintenance, make sure to communicate this clearly with potential guests.

Mention the blocked dates in your listing description or create an automated message that goes out to guests who inquire about booking during those periods.

By being upfront about your unavailable dates, you set clear expectations for guests and avoid potential misunderstandings.

It also shows that you are a responsible and considerate host, which can lead to positive reviews and increased guest satisfaction.

Utilize the “Minimum Advance Notice” Feature to Avoid Last-Minute Bookings

The Airbnb platform offers a useful feature called “Minimum Advance Notice”, which allows you to set a notice period before a guest can book your property.

By utilizing this feature, you can avoid last-minute bookings and have ample time to prepare your space for guests.

For instance, if you want to ensure that you have at least 48 hours notice before a guest can book, you can set the “Minimum Advance Notice” to 2 days.

This way, even if a guest attempts to book during a blocked date, they won’t be able to do so without providing the required notice, giving you time to prepare and adjust your schedule accordingly.

Adjust Pricing and Availability Around Blocked Dates to Maximize Earnings

While blocking dates is essential for managing your schedule, optimizing your pricing and availability for the periods when your listing is open is also essential.

Consider adjusting your pricing strategy around blocked dates to maximize your earnings.

For example, when demand is higher, you can slightly increase prices during peak seasons or special events.

On the other hand, during off-peak periods or when you have limited availability due to blocking, you can offer competitive rates or discounts to attract more bookings.

Additionally, consider utilizing Airbnb’s “Smart Pricing” feature, which automatically adjusts your rates based on demand and local market trends.

This can help you stay competitive and make the most of the dates when your property is available for booking.

Block Dates for Property Maintenance and Upgrades

As a responsible host, maintaining your property in top-notch condition is vital for guest satisfaction and positive reviews.

Plan for regular maintenance tasks and any potential upgrades you might want to undertake for your listing. This could include deep cleaning, painting, repairs, or adding new amenities.

Block off dates on your calendar specifically for these maintenance activities to ensure that your property remains in excellent condition for future guests. You can also set automatic preparation times between reservations.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to communicate these blocked dates with your cleaning and maintenance team to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Consider Local Events and Holidays

Pay attention to local events, festivals, and holidays that might impact the demand for accommodation in your area.

During such events, you can adjust your pricing strategy or block dates to accommodate personal plans.

If major events in your area attract a significant number of tourists, consider capitalizing on the increased demand by adjusting your pricing.

On the other hand, during certain holidays or personal occasions, you might want to block dates to spend time with your loved ones.

Use the “Repeat” Feature for Regularly Blocked Dates

If you have recurring commitments or events that require you to block the same dates regularly, utilize Airbnb’s “Repeat” feature.

This feature allows you to block the same dates on your calendar for a specified number of weeks, months, or even years. You can also schedule repeated instances of your Experience automatically from your calendar.

For instance, if you have a weekly class or a monthly family gathering that requires you to block your property, you can set the “Repeat” feature accordingly.

This will save you time and effort in manually blocking those dates every time they come up.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, blocking dates on Airbnb is not just a simple administrative task; it’s a fundamental aspect of a successful hosting journey.

Hosts who embrace the tips and tricks outlined in this practical guide will be better equipped to tailor their hosting experience, attract the right guests, and maximize their earning potential.

With a carefully curated calendar, hosts can create a harmonious balance between personal life and hosting responsibilities, making their Airbnb venture both fulfilling and profitable.