Instant Booking vs Request to Book
Instant Booking:
Booking is confirmed automatically when a guest tries to book This is the default setting for most channels
On Airbnb, instant-bookable listings may rank higher in search. Before you switch a listing to Request to Book, read how Instant Book, minimum stay, and the calendar affect Airbnb visibility.
Request to Book:
Host has to accept the Booking request of a guest
Request to Book is available in the following cases:
Airbnb
You switch each Airbnb listing to Request to Book yourself in Rental Ninja. You don't need to contact support.
Before you switch, check that the listing meets these conditions:
The listing uses Full Sync (Sync Everything). To change it, see What data is synchronised with Airbnb. You can return to Limited Sync after the switch.
Automatic listing content update is off (Channel Settings tab). This setting applies to your whole Airbnb account, so turn it on again after the switch.
The listing has no pending booking request. Accept or decline every open request first.
To switch a listing to Request to Book:
Go to Connections > Channels, open your Airbnb account and go to Property Settings.
Next to the listing, click ⋮ and select Change booking mode.
Check the current booking mode, then click Switch.
Wait for the confirmation message. Airbnb can take some time to show the new mode.
The change applies only to the listing you select.
If the listing is instant-bookable on another channel, Airbnb may disable Request to Book.
If the switch fails or the listing is not eligible, contact Rental Ninja support with the Airbnb listing ID.
Don't change the booking mode directly in your Airbnb account. Rental Ninja overwrites that setting at the next sync.
If you remap the listing with Quick Connect or reconnect it, the listing returns to Instant Book. Switch it to Request to Book again. To avoid instant bookings in the meantime, see Preventing bookings before enabling Request to Book.
Booking.com
For new connections: it can be configured in the Distribution Center when creating the connection. Consult this article to learn how to set this up in Rental Ninja. The rental type must be: Apartment, holiday home or villa.
For existing connections + mapped properties, Request to Book is NOT available.)
Housing Anywhere
Housing Anywhere only works with a Request to book model (instant booking is not possible.
VRBO
can be set up on account level when connecting to VRBO.
Houfy
You can confirm booking requests on the Houfy.com side and Houfy.com will insert to Rental Ninja already confirmed booking requests.
Channels that do NOT allow Request to Book:
Google Travel
Despegar
Direct Booking Website
Agoda
Whimstay
Holidu