Saving Time with the Airbnb Quick Replies Feature

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Response time and response rate play a massive role in determining the reliability and efficiency of an Airbnb host. To keep up good scores, you need to respond in a timely manner to every visitor’s request, inquiry, or question. Answering the same questions over and over may become tedious and inefficient.

The thing is, Airbnb hosts receive similar questions all the time; what is the Wi-Fi password? Where can I park? How do I get to your place? Fortunately, Airbnb’s quick replies feature solves this problem. 

What is Airbnb’s Quick Reply Feature?

The quick replies feature from Airbnb allows hosts to use templates to reply to frequently asked questions. Having a well-thought-out Airbnb messaging strategy effectively ensures your guests enjoy their stay on your property, especially if they are first-time visitors. 

However, hosts have struggled to establish effective communication with their guests for the longest time. This quick reply feature is a great solution.

Benefits of Airbnb’s Quick Reply Feature

Since the introduction of Airbnb’s quick reply feature, hosts have benefited in the following ways:

1. It Facilitates Proper and Effective Communication 

Host Sally of Snoqualmie, Washington, says creating quick reply templates has helped facilitate effective and convenient communication. According to the host, the templates have at one time helped to reply to four guest inquiries in less than 10 minutes.

With this quick reply feature, you get the chance to curate a clear, appropriate, and proofread response in advance. This eliminates the chances of sending inappropriate or unclear replies to your guests, especially when in a hurry and under pressure to respond to several requests or inquiries.

2. It is Perfect for Improving Your Response Rate and Response Time 

Response time and response rate measure how fast a host responds to inquiries, reservation requests, and any other questions that the guests may have. Airbnb usually records the hosts’ response rates and time on their dashboard under statistics. For hosts using professional hosting tools, you can find your records under the “requests” section.

Having excellent response rates impacts your chances of becoming a Superhost or maintaining the much-coveted status. One way of keeping your response time and rates high is by utilizing the Airbnb quick reply feature. The more your guests are satisfied with how you handle their concerns, the higher your chances of maintaining Superhost status.

With the quick reply feature, you can create templates that will allow you to:

  • Accept or decline reservation requests from guests
  • Quickly respond to new inquiries

3. Can Be Used By Other Team Members 

If you have a team that you host with, the members with guest management permissions can also use the quick reply templates you have created to reply to guests. They can access saved messages through the team’s shared inbox.

How to Create Airbnb Quick Replies

To get started with Airbnb’s quick replies feature, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to your hosting inbox
  2. Go to the folder menu, click on “quick replies,” and select “+New Reply”
  3. Key in a name for template identification. Do not worry; this won’t be visible to the guests
  4. Create your message, then insert shortcodes for easy message customization like names and other guest details
  5. Select a relevant language to the one used to create your message. This is critical because it affects how Airbnb will translate the shortcodes
  6. Save your template

How to Access Airbnb Quick Replies Templates 

After creating different templates and saving them in your inbox, you can use them by going to your hosting inbox, clicking on a thread with your guest, picking an appropriate reply, and selecting “use this reply” to insert the contents into the compose box. You can also make any necessary edits to your quick replies at this point.

Can I Edit My Airbnb Quick Replies?

Yes, you can.

  1. Go to your hosting inbox
  2. Open the folder menu
  3. Select quick replies
  4. Edit your preferred message
  5. Save your edited message

You may find a need to edit or update quick reply messages the more you utilize the feature.

What are Airbnb’s Quick Reply Shortcodes?

When using Airbnb’s Quick Reply feature, shortcodes are essential for filling in guests’ listing details and reservations. Failure to add information corresponding to your listing details will display the shortcode as unavailable. Common quick reply shortcodes include:

  • The name of the guest
  • Check-in and check-out dates
  • Cleaning fee
  • Wi-Fi password
  • Confirmation code
  • Listing city
  • Average nightly price
  • Directions
  • Home details
  • Primary host details
  • Amenities at the facility

Example of an Airbnb Quick Reply Message

When booking a guest, you will have to send a confirmation message. It is your first chance to create a good impression, so it’s important to make it count. Here is a quick reply message for such a scenario:

Hi (guest’s name),

Thank you for your booking! I can’t wait to host you at (the name of your facility) on (input date).

I will send your check-in information on the eve of your official check-in date, including the directions, lockbox key code, and Wi-Fi passcode.

If you still have any inquiries, please let me know. I am always available to provide additional information you may need concerning your stay.

Kind regards,

(Your name)

Can I Create and Use the Quick Reply Feature on My Phone?

Yes, quick replies are supported on mobile devices by opening the Airbnb app, clicking on your inbox. Navigate to the inbox menu at the top and choose Quick replies. The app will guide you through the process.

The Key Takeaway 

Being an Airbnb host comes with many responsibilities; you need all the help you can get. To help you create well-edited, proofread, and effective replies, Airbnb has introduced the quick reply feature. As a host, you can confidently retain your Superhost status by ensuring excellent response time and rates.

Guests feel valued when they receive timely replies to their inquiries — this quick reply feature allows hosts to do just that. With it, it’s easy to create quick reply templates, edit, use, or delete them as deemed appropriate.

About the Author Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones is an award-winning writer and editor from Oklahoma City, OK. Her work has been published on influential sites, including Entrepreneur and International Business Times. She spent several years in property management and leasing, handling short-term rentals, student housing, and community rentals. Rachel is also experienced in staging and real estate photography. With a B.A. in English in her back pocket, Rachel combines her passion for property management with her storytelling ability to offer Airbnb hosts helpful advice as they monetize their homes.