Tips on how to become a Superhost on Airbnb

For some Airbnb users, the Superhost badge is a distinctive symbol that improves your reputation. As a host, it's a status to strive for. The Superhost symbol is clearly marked and may help increase guest bookings.

Put simply, getting your Superhost badge may be attractive to hosts, but what exactly is a Superhost and how can you become one? In this guide, we've put together some clear guidance on how to achieve this valuable recognition.

What is an Airbnb Superhost?

An Airbnb Superhost is a host that meets Airbnb's own 'Superhost' criteria. Every 3 months, the platform evaluates hosts based on their performance over the previous 12 months, so you're never too far away from achieving the status if you want to. However, you need to continue meeting the requirements to maintain Superhost status.

When you're awarded Superhost status, you'll get a badge to display on your listing and profile.

What are the benefits of being a Superhost?

Superhosts are entitled to a number of benefits, which may include greater visibility, earning potential and access to exclusive rewards. But what does Airbnb actually do to help you?

Greater booking volume

The Superhost badge placed on your listing and profile can help your property stand out to guests. Airbnb also gives Superhosts a boost in search results, helping more guests discover their listings.

Priority support

Airbnb gives Superhosts access to dedicated Community Support.

Rewards

Airbnb gives Superhosts access to exclusive rewards, including travel coupons and invitations to special events. Maintaining these benefits means continuing to meet the Superhost requirements through each three-month review period.

Marketing support

Airbnb gives Superhosts a boost in search results, while the Superhost badge can also help your listing stand out to potential guests.

How do I become a Superhost?

Airbnb's requirements for becoming a Superhost are well defined. Below are the key areas that hosts need to meet.

Good guest ratings

You need an overall rating of 4.8 or higher based on guest feedback.

High booking volume

Superhosts need to have hosted at least 10 reservations, or 3 reservations totalling at least 100 nights.

Low cancellations

Superhosts need to maintain a cancellation rate of less than 1%.

Great response times

You can only become a Superhost by being responsive to guests. You need to respond to 90% of new messages, and accept or decline new reservation requests, within 24 hours.

Exceptions apply for cancellations due to Major Disruptive Events or other valid reasons.

Airbnb assesses Superhost eligibility four times a year, during seven-day assessment periods beginning on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October. You don't need to have been hosting for the full 12 months to qualify.

There is no application process. If you meet the requirements at the time of an assessment, Superhost status is awarded automatically, although the badge can take up to a week to appear.

To qualify for Superhost status, you must also be the listing owner of a home listing and have an account in good standing. Listings where you're a co-host don't count towards Superhost eligibility. Experience hosts and service hosts are also not evaluated for Superhost status unless they separately own an eligible home listing.

Airbnb may also suspend or withhold Superhost status in some cases, including where a host has a high rate of removed reviews or host-initiated cancellations.

Top tips for becoming a Superhost

We know what Airbnb's own criteria are, but how can you act as a host to help ensure you meet them? Becoming a Superhost is only half the battle; maintaining your status takes commitment.

Make check-in easy

You don't need to greet guests in person to be a Superhost. Many guests value the flexibility of self check-in, using options such as a smart lock, keypad or lockbox. Whichever check-in method you use, provide clear instructions so guests can access the property easily and know what to expect when they arrive. Make sure the guest can contact you (or a representative) in the event of an emergency or if they have difficulty checking in.

Small welcome touches can still help create a good first impression. Providing basics such as milk, tea, coffee and biscuits gives guests some supplies after travelling, although these aren't required by Airbnb.

Provide local information

Provide guests with useful local information, including places of interest, attractions, restaurants, shops and transport information. You can create an Airbnb guidebook containing your recommendations and share it with guests before or during their stay. You could also leave a printed house manual or local information at the property where it will be easy to find.

Responsive communication

As soon as you have received a booking request or message, respond through the Airbnb platform. Provide guests with the information they need before their stay, including check-in details, directions and any important information about the property. Airbnb's quick replies and scheduled messages can help you send useful information automatically at key points before check-in and checkout.

You should also remain available during the stay and respond promptly if a guest has a question or problem. Good communication isn't about sending lots of messages; it's about giving guests clear information when they need it.

Prompt reviews

After your guest leaves, you can leave a review of your guest through Airbnb. Both hosts and guests have 14 days after checkout to submit their reviews. Reviews are published once both parties have submitted them, or when the 14-day review period ends, whichever comes first.

Leaving your own review promptly can help complete the review process, but concentrate primarily on providing a stay that guests will want to review positively.

Comfortable touches

While you don't need to go and invest in the finest Egyptian cotton, you should try and add some flexibility for guest comfort. Try adding in an extra tog duvet and additional pillows so guests can sleep in the way that suits them. Make sure essentials are well stocked and that the property is clean, comfortable and accurately reflects the listing. It might be the difference between getting that last good review to push you over the 4.8 Superhost criteria.

Conclusion: is Superhost status worth it?

Becoming a Superhost should be a natural goal for every host. It's ultimately just the end result of good hosting practices: keeping cancellations to a minimum, ensuring guests have a good stay and demonstrating that you're a responsive, caring host.

However, even with the most considerate guests and the best hosting record, accidents can happen. Whilst AirCover does provide some cover if something goes wrong, you may also want to check that this provides enough protection for what you require. Some home insurance policies may also not cover hosting as standard either. We go through this topic in great detail over on our Airbnb insurance page.

Airbnb hosting can be a fun and enjoyable experience, with many great potential memories to be had. If you follow the above tips and focus on creating a great experience for your guests, you should hopefully be on your way to becoming a Superhost. Good luck on your journey.