You’ve probably heard the word “Airbnb superhosts” thrown around lately. The status describes hosts who go above and beyond to make their guests feel welcome and ensure they have a great stay. In other words, superhost is a designation that distinguishes high-performing hosts from average ones. This badge often results in a higher ROI for property owners.
But with so many hosts working hard to get to this level, how do you know if you should become an Airbnb superhost? What are the tips to become a superhost? And how much do Airbnb superhosts make?
We’ll explore the requirements for attaining the unique status of a superhost and how much you can expect to make as one. We’ll also outline practical tips on how to increase your Airbnb rental revenue.
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How Much Do Airbnb Superhosts Make
Before answering the question, “how much do Airbnb superhosts make?” You must understand that the earning potential of a superhost largely depends on the country or city they offer their service.
While hosts in the US earn an average of $13,800, UK hosts earn an average of £19,000. Some UK superhosts earn above £50,000 yearly. Digging deeper within the UK, of course, some cities are more profitable for superhosts than others. For example, Edinburgh hosts have a potential of earning £2,100 monthly, while their Bath-based counterparts have a potential of earning £2,500.
Besides location, other factors also play a significant role in determining how much a superhost can make. These factors include:
- The quality of the vacation rental.
- How many guests it can host.
- The average occupancy rate of the rental (i.e. the demand).
- Your average listing price.
Although listings help increase your Airbnb visibility, for multi-property owners, having many listings in a great location isn’t a one-way ticket to becoming a high-earning Airbnb superhost. You need to develop the core skills to maximise profitability whilst having the physical resources to grow your earnings.
For example, building an amicable rapport with guests to keep them happy throughout their stay. To become a superhost, you must know how to maintain a high level of customer service.
The Benefits of Becoming an Airbnb Superhost
1. Attract More Guests
As an Airbnb Superhost, you’ll be able to attract more guests to your house. Just ask around your friends and family - you’ll be surprised how many people will only book stays managed by Superhosts.
The best superhosts go out of their way to ensure their guests have a fantastic experience. This commitment could include anything from providing recommendations for things to do in the city to stocking the fridge with some breakfast items.
All these efforts result in guests who are more likely to return. By providing great service and ensuring guests’ satisfaction, Airbnb superhosts can build a solid reputation and grow a successful Airbnb business in the long run.
2. Earn More Money
Superhosts make more money because they provide unforgettable experiences for guests, encouraging them to revisit. Having repeat visitors is more profitable for business since you don’t have to spend extra on marketing.
Additionally, superhosts often receive referrals from satisfied guests, which results in more bookings without marketing expenditure. Positive reviews from these guests are another means of organic marketing that drives more traffic to their listing and entices potential guests to book.
3. Gain Access to Exclusive Rewards
Superhosts enjoy exclusive discounts and bonus points, such as a 22 per cent increased average earnings, over 60 per cent more revenue per available day, and a 20 per cent bonus on host referrals and an annual travel coupon. They may also get rewards for free photography sessions, making their listing look more attractive to guests.
Another popular award available to superhosts is the superhost badge. It’s a symbol of recognition for their exceptional work in the industry. As a superhost, you are more likely to be chosen as a host for special events, such as Airbnb Experiences.
4. Get Priority Support
Superhosts often access a private support line and marketing assistance from Airbnb. If you ever have a question or need help with anything, you can expect a response from Airbnb within 24 hours.
Additionally, superhosts have access to various tools which help them manage their listing and guests’ experiences. They get better placement in search results and may have their superhost badge attached to their listing, instantly creating a sense of trust in potential guests.
How Can Airbnb Superhosts Increase Their Earnings?
1. Adopt a Thought-out Pricing Strategy
Charging the right price for your listing is one of the most important things to help you become more profitable. You don’t want to price yourself out of the market. At the same time, you want to ensure you’re earning as much as possible.
Some superhosts have found that pricing their listing just below the average for their area results in more bookings. So they charge 11 per cent less per night than standard hosts.
At the same time, they may choose to raise their rates during peak seasons or special events in their area. The idea is to make pricing attractive to prospects and offer them excellent customer service that will turn them into repeat clients. You can use the free Airbnb estimate tool on Houst to determine the right price for your listings.
2. Be Flexible
Embracing flexible letting can help increase a superhost’s earnings in a few ways. For one, it allows guests to book at the last minute or extend their stay without penalty. Secondly, being more flexible with check-in and check-out times can help save guests money on their trips. For example, if they arrive early or want to stay a few hours after check-out, they won’t have to pay an extra fee.
Another way to be more flexible is by being open to accommodate different types of guests. For example, some superhosts might accept long-term or pet-friendly guests. This allows for a wider range of guests and can lead to more bookings.
3. Use Stunning Photos to Promote Your Listing
A key factor in an Airbnb marketing strategy is using stunning photos to promote your listing. This approach will help you attract more guests.
High-quality photos can help attract more guests by enticing them to click on your listing and check it out. People are much more likely to book a listing if the photos make it look amazing and if they can see that the space is well-maintained.
You may be able to take good-looking snapshots of your listings by yourself, but a professional real estate photographer will likely do the job better. Allow them to use special home staging techniques to improve the appearance of your listing photos.
4. Offer Information on Local Highlights
Offering information about local highlights and attractions on your listing can help guests get a better sense of the area and encourage them to book.
Superhosts often have in-depth local knowledge and are in a prime position to promote the best that their area has to offer. By providing information on local highlights, superhosts can help guests learn about what’s available in their destination and make the most of their stay.
Guests who find local attractions interesting are more likely to book longer stays. And longer stays mean more Airbnb income. Perhaps they visit during a ceremony that lasts several days; they may be eager to stay and see how the festivities end.
An Airbnb study also found that guests who learned about a listing’s local highlights were likelier to leave a 5-star review.
5. Create Individualised Experience for Guests
The most successful superhosts work hard to create a one-of-a-kind experience for their guests. They may offer unique amenities, like a home cinema or an in-home yoga studio.
Going above and beyond for guests will encourage them to leave positive reviews, which will help you attract more guests and make more money. The goal is to make your space feel like the home your visitors wished they owned.
Some superhosts may offer additional supplies to guests, such as breakfast, shampoo and soap. Paying such great attention to detail will make guests feel more comfortable and encourage them to stay longer or return some other time.
Alternatively, consider offering airport pickups and tours around the city. This service can help guests learn more about the area and create exciting memories that will last long after their stay. At the same time, it can help you make more money by increasing the amount that guests are willing to pay for extra services and convenience.
6. Network With Other Superhosts
One of the benefits of networking with other superhosts is that you can learn from their experiences. And since superhosts are known for providing great customer service, they can be a great resource for tips on handling difficult situations.
Also, by networking with other superhosts, you can build relationships that can result in future collaborations. For example, you might team up with another superhost to offer a package deal to your guests.
One great way to network with other superhosts is to attend an Airbnb host meetup. Host meetups are excellent opportunities to learn from and connect with other Airbnb superhosts who have accomplished significant career success.
At these events, you can share ideas, learn about new ways to improve your hosting, and exchange contacts with people who can help you grow your business. So endeavour to attend an Airbnb host meetup near you. If there isn’t a host meetup happening in your area, consider starting one.
How to Become a Superhost on Airbnb
Every three months, Airbnb checks if hosts have met the necessary criteria for the superhost status. If you do, you’ll earn or retain your Superhost status if you’re already one. Otherwise, your superhost badge will be revoked. Here are the four criteria for achieving superhost status.
- Host a minimum of 10 guests in a year: hosting ten guests or more in a year shows that you are an experienced and reliable host and are serious about hosting on Airbnb. Superhosts are held to high standards by Airbnb and are rewarded with increased bookings and better ratings from guests. You must be ready to put in the hard work first before experiencing the snowball effect.
- Maintain a 90% or higher response rate: If you receive a message from a guest, you must respond within 24 hours. If you cannot do so, you must let them know that you will respond soon. This is important because it ensures that guests always have someone to contact if they need anything or have any questions. This is one of the biggest reasons why people may explore hiring an Airbnb management firm, like Houst.
- Maintain a 1% or lower cancellation rate: Superhosts are held to a higher standard and are seen as more reliable and professional than other Airbnb hosts. To maintain a 1% or lower cancellation rate, you must be responsive to your guests, have a well-maintained property, and be available to help your guests when needed. So only cancel in extenuating circumstances.
- Maintain a 4.8 overall rating or 80% 5-star reviews: You need to have an impeccable rating of 4.8 or higher to become an Airbnb superhost. This requirement is in place to ensure that all superhosts provide a high-quality experience for guests. Applying the strategies outlined in this article will help you achieve and maintain this rating.
Maximising the perks of Superhost With Houst
So far, we’ve answered the question, how much do Airbnb superhosts make? and provided other necessary clarifications. However, one of the biggest challenges superhosts have and need help with is optimising their profit potential.
It’s true that you can earn by managing your Airbnb yourself. Nevertheless, collaborating with a professional Airbnb management company like Houst can boost your earnings and help you manage the day-to-day operations of running a successful Airbnb.
At Houst, we take care of all the legwork that goes into managing our superhosts’ houses. This way, you have more free time to attend to the most important things in your life.
Our free smart pricing algorithm can help you ensure your listings are consistently profitable, and we can also help you manage your calendar. Contact us today to learn more about our services.