How to become an Airbnb Superhost: the steps to reach this sought-after status

Becoming a Superhost on Airbnb is a goal for many hosts on the platform. Superhost status is reserved for hosts who have delivered an outstanding experience for their guests. That might mean replying quickly and reliably to booking requests, keeping the property spotlessly clean and communicating brilliantly with guests. The benefits of becoming a Superhost include better visibility on Airbnb, more bookings and recognition among fellow hosts.

To become an Airbnb Superhost, there are several criteria to meet. Hosts must have completed at least 10 stays or 3 bookings totalling at least 100 nights. They also need a response rate of 90% or more and a cancellation rate below 1%. Hosts who meet these criteria are assessed automatically and can go on to become Superhosts.

That said, becoming a Superhost is about more than ticking the basic boxes. Hosts also need to give their guests an exceptional experience. That means being available to answer questions and concerns, offering outstanding cleanliness and comfort, and providing extra amenities and services to make the stay more enjoyable.

What is a Superhost?

A Superhost is an Airbnb host who has reached an exceptional standard of quality when it comes to welcoming guests. Becoming a Superhost means meeting several criteria.

The criteria for earning Superhost status are as follows:

• Have an account in good standing.
• Have hosted guests at least 10 times over the course of a year.
• Have a response rate of at least 90%.
• No cancellations of confirmed bookings.
• At least half of the guests who have stayed with you have left a review.

Superhosts enjoy exclusive benefits on Airbnb, such as:

• A Superhost badge on their profile, which reassures potential guests.
• Priority support from Airbnb whenever the host gets in touch for help.
• Tips and advice from Airbnb on improving the quality of their hosting.

Superhost status is assessed every three months. To keep it, you therefore need to keep meeting the required criteria.

The criteria for becoming a Superhost

To become an Airbnb Superhost, you need to meet certain criteria, which are assessed every three months. If you meet the Superhost programme criteria on the assessment date, you will automatically become a Superhost.

Response rate

To be eligible for the Superhost programme, you need a response rate of 90% or more. That means replying quickly to booking requests and guest messages. If you do not reply within the time allowed, it can affect your response rate and your eligibility for the Superhost programme.

Acceptance rate

You also need an acceptance rate of at least 88% to be eligible for the Superhost programme. That means accepting most of the booking requests you receive. If you decline too many requests, it can affect your acceptance rate and your eligibility for the Superhost programme.

Cancellation rate

You need to keep your cancellation rate below 1% to be eligible for the Superhost programme. That means avoiding cancelling bookings, except in cases of force majeure. If you cancel too many bookings, it can affect your cancellation rate and your eligibility for the Superhost programme.

Reviews and ratings

Guest reviews and ratings are also taken into account when determining your eligibility for the Superhost programme. You need to maintain an overall rating of at least 4.8 stars out of 5 and avoid negative reviews. If you receive too many negative reviews, it can affect your eligibility for the Superhost programme.

How to improve your chances of becoming a Superhost

Look after your guests

The first criterion for becoming an Airbnb Superhost is looking after your guests. That means offering a clean, well-maintained property, replying quickly to their requests and being available to answer their questions. Hosts should also be friendly, welcoming and ready to help their guests whenever needed.

With that in mind, we strongly recommend creating your digital welcome book with StyQR. You can also make your guests' arrival extra special with a small welcome gift!

Reply quickly to requests

The second important criterion for becoming a Superhost is replying quickly to guest requests. Hosts should answer every enquiry as soon as possible, ideally within an hour of receiving it. It shows guests that their host is available and ready to help whenever needed.

Offer quality amenities and services

The third important criterion for becoming a Superhost is offering quality amenities and services. Hosts should provide modern, well-maintained equipment, such as household appliances, premium bed linen and towels, and good-quality toiletries. Hosts should also offer extras such as breakfast, daily cleaning and tips on local attractions.

Be flexible and accommodating

The fourth important criterion for becoming a Superhost is being flexible and accommodating. Hosts should be willing to adapt to guests' requests, such as check-in and check-out times, and be ready to help guests resolve any problems that may crop up during their stay. Hosts should also be prepared to offer refunds or discounts if there are issues with the property.

The benefits of being a Superhost

Becoming an Airbnb Superhost is a goal for many hosts. It means you are one of the highest-rated and most experienced hosts on the platform. Being a Superhost brings plenty of benefits:

• Better visibility: as a Superhost, your listing is promoted on the platform. That means you are more visible to guests, which can translate into more bookings.
• Greater earning potential: Superhosts tend to earn more than hosts without the status. That is partly down to better visibility, but also to the greater trust guests place in Superhosts.
• Exclusive rewards: Airbnb offers Superhosts exclusive rewards, such as travel coupons and invitations to special events.

To become a Superhost, it is important to maintain an overall rating of 4.8 or higher, to have at least 10 stays or 100 nights, a cancellation rate below 1% and a response rate of 90%. By hitting these targets, you can enjoy all the benefits of being an Airbnb Superhost.

In conclusion

Becoming an Airbnb Superhost is a considerable asset for hosts who want to improve the visibility and credibility of their listing. It can also help increase bookings and build guest loyalty.

To become a Superhost, hosts must meet the eligibility criteria set by Airbnb. They need to have completed at least 10 stays or 3 bookings totalling at least 100 nights, maintain a response rate of 90% or more, and keep their cancellation rate below 1%, with exceptions for extenuating circumstances.

Hosts can improve their eligibility by replying quickly to guest messages, offering quality experiences and providing detailed information about their listing. They can also boost their visibility by using good-quality photos, optimising their listing for search engines and earning positive reviews from guests.

Ultimately, becoming an Airbnb Superhost takes time, effort and perseverance. That said, it can be a worthwhile investment for hosts looking to grow their holiday rental business on Airbnb.