Manage Bookings Under Request on Airbnb with Avantio Channel PRO
Decide which bookings to accept and when. With the Request to Book option, you can receive booking requests instead of automatic confirmations. This gives you more control over which guests enter your accommodations, ideal if you work with exclusive properties or have stricter selection criteria.
What is Request to Book?
It is a feature that turns Airbnb bookings into requests that you must approve or reject within 24 hours.
While you decide, the calendar is temporarily blocked.
If you accept, Airbnb charges the guest and the booking enters your system as a pre-booking.
If you reject, the calendar is immediately freed up and the guest is notified.
👉 Key benefit: combines flexibility with security. You can maintain instant bookings for guests who meet your criteria and requests for special cases.
Step by Step: Set Up Request to Book
Enter Channel PRO and click on "Configure" in the Airbnb portal.
Go to General Configuration.
Define which types of guests you allow to book instantly (e.g., with a verified profile, with previous experiences). In this case, you will need to select Not Allowed.
For specific settings, select a specific accommodation and customize its configuration.
⚠️ Pay attention to the details: this feature only works if you have a full synchronization with Airbnb.
With partial synchronization, all bookings will be instant.
Flow of a Request to Book Reservation
Request Received
The system records the request as "Request to Book."
The calendar is blocked for a maximum of 24 hours.
Agency Acceptance
Airbnb charges the guest.
The booking changes to Pre-booking status and enters the normal booking flow.
Agency Rejection
The guest receives a rejection notification.
The calendar is immediately freed up.
No Response in 24 h
The request is automatically canceled.
The calendar becomes available again.
👉 Note: until the payment is confirmed and the booking is listed as a pre-booking, you cannot modify it in the VRMS.
Best Practices
Clearly define your acceptance criteria: this way, you can automate which guests book instantly and which must send a request.
Always respond within 24 hours: avoid automatic cancellations that affect your visibility on Airbnb.
Maintain transparency with the guest: explain in the listing if you work with booking requests.
Common Mistakes
Using partial synchronization thinking that Request to Book will still work.
Not responding in time and losing bookings.
Forgetting to set guest criteria, leading to too many requests.
Quick Checklist
I have full synchronization with Airbnb activated.
I have set the criteria for guests who can book instantly.
I know how to accept or reject requests in less than 24 h.
I have informed my guests that some bookings require approval.
Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Request to Book with partial synchronization?
No. It is only available with full synchronization.
What happens if I don't respond to a request in time?
It is automatically canceled and the calendar becomes available again.
Does Airbnb charge the guest as soon as they send the request?
No. The charge is only made once you accept the booking.
Can I combine instant bookings with requests?
Yes. You can allow instant bookings only for guests who meet certain requirements and keep the rest as requests.
Can I modify a booking in "Request to Book" status?
No. Only when it is confirmed as a pre-booking can you manage it in the VRMS.
✅ In summary: with Request to Book in Avantio, you have more control over who books your accommodations on Airbnb. Activate full synchronization, set your criteria well, and respond quickly to make the most of this option.