In the competitive world of vacation rentals, becoming an Airbnb Superhost is like earning a badge of excellence that sets you apart from the crowd. This coveted status isn't just a fancy title – it's a testament to your dedication to hospitality and guest satisfaction.
Whether you're just starting your hosting journey or looking to level up your existing Airbnb business, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Superhost status, from using tools like Touch Stay, to providing actionable tips to help you reach this milestone:
- What is Airbnb Superhost status and why does it matter?
- Airbnb host vs. Superhost: what's the difference?
- How much do Airbnb Superhosts make?
- Airbnb Superhost benefits
- Guest Favourite vs. Superhost programs
- How to become a Superhost on Airbnb
- 10 proven tips to become an Airbnb Superhost
- Is Airbnb Superhost worth it?
- What Superhosts say
- Airbnb Superhost FAQs
What is Airbnb Superhost status and why does it matter?
Airbnb Superhost status is a recognition program that celebrates the platform's most experienced, reliable, and highly-rated hosts. These hosts consistently go above and beyond to provide exceptional experiences for their guests, maintaining high standards in hospitality, cleanliness, and communication. Established in 2016, the program has become increasingly important in distinguishing top-performing hosts in a growing marketplace.
Superhost status isn't just a one-time achievement – hosts must continuously meet strict criteria to maintain this distinction, which is evaluated every three months. This ongoing assessment ensures that Superhosts consistently deliver exceptional experiences and maintain high standards throughout their hosting journey.
Airbnb host vs. Superhost: what's the difference?
While all Airbnb hosts can list their properties and welcome guests, Superhosts represent the cream of the crop. Understanding these differences is crucial for hosts aspiring to elevate their hosting game.
Regular hosts:
- Can list properties on Airbnb
- Must meet basic hosting requirements
- Have access to standard hosting tools and features
- No minimum rating requirements
- Standard search result placement
- Basic support access
Superhosts:
- Meet strict performance criteria
- Maintain exceptional guest ratings
- Have proven track record of reliability
- Receive special benefits and recognition
- Must consistently meet quality standards
- Priority placement in search results
- Access to premium support services
- Higher earning potential
- Increased guest trust and booking rates
How much do Airbnb Superhosts make?
Understanding potential earnings is crucial for anyone considering becoming an Airbnb host or striving to become a Superhost. Let's examine the most recent data from industry-leading sources:
Earnings vary significantly by:
- Property location and market demand
- Seasonal fluctuations
- Property size and amenities
- Local competition
- Marketing effectiveness
- Pricing strategy
- Length of time as a Superhost
Superhost potential:
While specific Superhost earnings data is limited, hosts with consistent high ratings and professional management can potentially:
- Achieve higher-than-average occupancy rates
- Command slightly premium pricing
- Receive more consistent bookings
- Reduce vacancy periods through strategic pricing and management
Top tip: use digital guidebook solutions like Touch Stay to enhance guest experience, potentially improving your ratings and booking potential.
Airbnb Superhost benefits
Earning Superhost status comes with several valuable perks that can significantly impact your hosting business. Let's explore these benefits in detail:
Increased visibility:
- Priority placement in search results, appearing higher in guest searches
- Special Superhost badge on listings that builds instant trust
- Featured in Superhost collections and promotional materials
- Enhanced visibility in filtered searches when guests specifically look for Superhost properties
- Inclusion in Airbnb's marketing campaigns and success stories
Higher earning potential:
- Ability to charge premium rates for superior service
- Increased booking frequency due to better visibility
- Better occupancy rates throughout the year
- More last-minute bookings due to increased trust
- Higher likelihood of extended-stay bookings
- Potential for repeat guests and referrals
Extended support:
- Priority support from Airbnb's customer service team
- Dedicated Superhost support line for urgent issues
- Faster response times for problem resolution
- Access to exclusive hosting resources and tutorials
- Priority access to new features and beta testing opportunities
Marketing advantages:
- Additional promotional opportunities through Airbnb
- Access to exclusive Superhost events and conferences
- Network with other successful hosts
- Early access to new marketing tools and features
- Opportunity to be featured in Airbnb's success stories
Guest trust:
- Enhanced credibility with potential guests
- Higher booking conversion rates
- More repeat bookings from satisfied guests
- Better quality of guest inquiries
- Increased likelihood of positive reviews
- Greater guest understanding of professional standards
Guest Favourite vs. Superhost programs
While both Guest Favourite and Superhost programs recognise quality hosting, they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics:
Guest favourite program:
- Based solely on guest ratings and reviews
- Focuses on individual listing performance
- No minimum booking requirements
- Updated monthly based on recent performance
- Less stringent criteria for qualification
- Easier to achieve for new hosts
- More focused on guest satisfaction metrics
- No special support benefits
Superhost program:
- Comprehensive evaluation of host performance
- Includes multiple criteria beyond ratings
- Requires consistent booking activity
- Quarterly assessment of all criteria
- More prestigious recognition
- Harder to achieve and maintain
- Includes extensive benefits package
- Professional development opportunities
How to become a Superhost on Airbnb
To achieve Superhost status, you must meet specific criteria during each quarterly assessment. Let's examine each requirement in detail:
a) Reach the minimum reservation requirements
- Complete at least 10 stays in the past year
- Or complete at least 100 nights across at least 3 completed stays
- Maintain consistent booking activity throughout the year
- New listings must build up booking history before qualifying
- Multiple properties can contribute to total stays
- Longer stays count as single reservations
- Cancelled reservations don't count toward the total
b) Maintain a high response rate
- Maintain a 90% response rate or higher
- Respond to new enquiries within 24 hours
- Use automated messaging tools when necessary
- Keep communication channels open and accessible
- Set up notification alerts for new messages
- Have backup communication plans
- Train any co-hosts or team members on response protocols
c) Keep the cancellation rate low
- Maintain a cancellation rate of 1% or lower
- Only cancel reservations in exceptional circumstances
- Have clear policies to prevent necessary cancellations
- Implement proper calendar management
- Build relationships with local backup hosts
- Have emergency plans in place
- Document all cancellation reasons
d) Get the highest rating possible
- Maintain an overall rating of 4.8 or higher
- Consistently receive positive reviews
- Address any issues promptly
- Continuously improve based on feedback
- Monitor all rating categories
- Respond professionally to all reviews
- Implement guest suggestions when appropriate
10 proven tips to become an Airbnb Superhost
1. Fill in every detail in your listings
- Provide comprehensive property descriptions
- List all amenities accurately
- Include house rules and policies
- Update information regularly
- Add special features and unique selling points
- Include accessibility information
- Specify check-in/out procedures
- Document parking and transportation details
2. Optimise your titles and descriptions
- Use compelling, accurate titles
- Incorporate relevant keywords naturally
- Highlight unique features and amenities
- Keep descriptions concise but informative
- Update seasonally as needed
- Include local attractions and distances
- Specify guest capacity clearly
- Mention special occasions the space is suitable for
3. Adjust your listings to seasonality
- Modify pricing based on peak/off-peak seasons
- Update photos to reflect seasonal changes
- Adjust minimum stay requirements
- Highlight seasonal attractions
- Update house rules for different seasons
- Add seasonal amenities (e.g., beach equipment, ski storage)
- Modify cancellation policies if necessary
- Prepare for weather-related considerations
4. Create high-quality photos
- Invest in professional photography
- Showcase all rooms and amenities
- Include details shots of special features
- Update photos regularly
- Maintain consistent photo quality
- Capture different lighting conditions
- Show multiple angles of each space
- Include lifestyle and context shots
5. Have fair pricing
- Research competitive rates in your area
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies
- Offer appropriate discounts for longer stays
- Consider seasonal adjustments
- Monitor market trends
- Account for special events and holidays
- Balance occupancy with profitability
- Include appropriate cleaning fees
6. Enhance guest experience
The key to maintaining Superhost status lies in providing an exceptional guest experience. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by using a Touch Stay digital guidebook. Here's how it can revolutionise your hosting:
- Create comprehensive welcome guides that answer common questions before they're asked
- Provide detailed check-in instructions and property information
- Include local recommendations and insider tips
- Offer emergency contact information and house rules in an easily accessible format
- Save time by reducing repetitive guest communications
- Maintain consistent communication standards across all bookings
- Customise information for different seasons and events
- Update information in real-time as needed
Touch Stay digital guidebooks help automate many aspects of guest communication while maintaining a personal touch, allowing you to focus on other aspects of hosting excellence. This innovative solution has helped countless hosts achieve and maintain Superhost status by streamlining their guest communication and improving the overall guest experience.
7. Keep your place clean
- Maintain professional cleaning standards
- Document cleaning procedures
- Use quality cleaning products
- Schedule regular deep cleans
- Address maintenance issues promptly
- Implement COVID-safe protocols
- Stock cleaning supplies for guests
- Arrange backup cleaning services
8. Prioritise communication
- Respond to messages promptly
- Use automated responses when appropriate
- Maintain a friendly, professional tone
- Provide clear, concise information
- Follow up after check-in and during stays
- Offer multilingual communication when possible
- Have backup contact methods
- Set clear communication boundaries
9. Minimise cancellations
- Only accept bookings you can honour
- Maintain an accurate calendar
- Have backup plans for emergencies
- Communicate any issues early
- Build relationships with other local hosts
- Keep maintenance schedules current
- Have reliable service providers
- Document all booking changes
10. Encourage guest reviews and ratings
- Send timely review requests
- Thank guests for feedback
- Address concerns mentioned in reviews
- Use feedback to improve
- Maintain professional responses to all reviews
- Follow up on implemented changes
- Share positive reviews on social media
- Create a feedback loop for continuous improvement
Is Airbnb Superhost worth it?
The short answer is yes – becoming a Superhost is definitely worth the effort. The benefits far outweigh the work required to achieve and maintain the status:
- Higher earnings potential through premium pricing
- Increased visibility in search results
- Greater guest trust and booking conversion rates
- Access to exclusive benefits and support
- Professional growth and networking opportunities
- Enhanced credibility in the vacation rental market
- Better quality guests and fewer problems
- Long-term business sustainability
What Superhosts say
“I’m an Airbnb Superhost (200+ five-star reviews). It is hard work; you deal with the public - I love people, but really am not fond of the public! I equipped our unit with solutions for every problem I ever had in a hotel room, and it is a sweet deal.
Our unit is a guest cabin for friends and family, so Airbnb is actually a side hustle. We don't want fixed rent, because we want the place for our own use part of the year. So, we are not taking a rental unit off the market.
We avoid bargain hunters, partiers, anyone with sketchy reviews. We are priced at the higher end and have many repeat guests. Our experience has been fabulous, and our guests 99% wonderful. The Airbnb platform, reservation system, payment system, all have been solid and easy and effective.”
- David Scott Carlick, Airbnb Superhost
Top tip: for more info on being an Airbnb Superhost, check out Neil Harvey’s excellent Airbnb Superhost Podcast which offers short, 15-minute insights into mastering the art of hosting on Airbnb.
While maintaining Superhost status requires consistent effort and attention to detail, the right tools and systems (like a Touch Stay digital guidebook) can help automate and streamline many aspects of hosting, making it easier to maintain the high standards required for Superhost status.
Turbo-charge your journey to Airbnb Superhost status with a Touch Stay digital guidebook.
Airbnb Superhost FAQs
