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What to say

How to reply when an Airbnb guest asks for a discount

A guest has messaged before booking to ask if you can do a better price.

You want the booking without training guests to haggle or inviting a difficult stay.

What is usually going on

Discount requests come in two kinds. A polite ask with a reason (a longer stay, the quiet season, a family on a budget) is normal and often worth a small trade. A pushy ask with pressure, a cash offer or a demand before they have read the listing is a signal about the stay itself. Your reply should present your price as fair and either give something that costs you little or trade the discount for something you want: more nights, a midweek stay or a booking today.

Replies by what you want to happen

Hold the price warmly

Thanks for your message, glad you like the place! The rate is already as low as I can go for those dates but I'd love to host you.

Thanks for asking. I keep prices the same for everyone so I can't discount but I can offer early check-in if the place is free that day.

I can't lower the nightly rate but I'll leave a welcome pack with breakfast basics for your first morning.

A small extra feels generous and costs a fraction of a discount.

Trade a discount for something

I can do [x]% off if you make it 7 nights instead of 5.

If you can do Sunday to Thursday instead I can bring it down to £[amount] a night.

I'll send you a special offer at £[amount] a night if you're able to book today.

Send the new price as a special offer in the Airbnb thread so it stays on the platform.

Decline a pushy request politely

Thanks for asking. The price is fixed for these dates. If it doesn't work for you, no problem at all.

I only take bookings and payment through Airbnb so I can't offer a cash price. The listed rate stands.

I don't think we're the right fit for this stay but I hope you find somewhere great.

Declining a request that worries you is better than a bad stay followed by a bad review.

What not to send

  • A discount on the first ask with nothing in return. It teaches guests that your price is an opening offer.
  • Agreement to cash or bank transfer outside Airbnb. If anything goes wrong, neither of you is covered.
  • Sarcasm about their budget. They can still book. They can still leave a review.
  • A long explanation of your cleaning costs and mortgage. It turns a price into a debate about your finances.
  • A refund or discount offered in exchange for a five-star review. Platforms treat that as buying reviews.

More worked examples

AirbnbDiscount request

They said: Hi! We stayed in May and loved it

They said: coming back for 2 nights in October. any chance of a returning guest rate?

Read the room

A returning guest asking nicely is the easiest discount to justify. A small, named thank you rewards them without making your rate an opening offer.

Avoid: A big cut because they were lovely last time. It becomes the price they expect every time.

A small thank you

Lovely to hear from you again! I can do 10% off as a returning guest. I’ll send a special offer through Airbnb.

Hold the rate, add something

So glad you’re coming back! The October rate is fixed but I’ll leave you a bottle of wine and an early check-in if the room is ready.

Questions

Should I give a discount to Airbnb guests who ask?

Only when it gets you something: a longer stay, a gap night filled or a booking in a quiet week. If your calendar is filling at the listed rate, a friendly no with a small extra is the better answer. Check your calendar before you reply: a discount to fill a two-night gap between bookings can be worth more than holding out for a full-price stay that never comes.

How do I offer a discount on Airbnb?

Use a special offer from the message thread, which sets a custom total for those dates. It keeps payment, cancellation terms and host protection on the platform. Never agree a discount that is settled outside Airbnb.

Is a guest asking for a discount a red flag?

Not on its own. A polite ask is normal. Watch for pressure, offers of cash, attempts to move the conversation off Airbnb or a long list of demands before booking. Those are worth declining. A guest who haggles hard before booking is more likely to raise problems during the stay, so trust what the first messages tell you.

What do I say to a guest offering to pay cash?

Keep it simple: you only accept bookings and payment through Airbnb. You do not need to explain further. Payments taken off the platform are not covered if anything goes wrong.

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