Airbnb announced on May 3 that it's rolling out a substantial update to the application. Dubbed the “Airbnb 2023 summer release,” the refresh is introducing 50-plus upgrades, the most prominent two being fee-inclusive pricing and an “Airbnb Rooms” feature that aims to make it easier and safer to rent a single room when you're on vacation. Read on for more details about the app's summertime makeover.
Increased transparency
Airbnb's base of users has long been requesting more transparent pricing. In recent years, Airbnb has been criticized for having high hidden fees pop up and surprise users upon check-out, with multitudes of travelers taking to social media to gripe about their disappointments and frustrations.
In the forthcoming update, Airbnb is addressing the issue by rolling out a “display total price” button. When you toggle it, all prices listed across the app—whether in cost-filtered search results, on maps, or on one-off property pages—are calculated to include fees (but exclude taxes).
Hopefully, this alteration will help smooth out travelers' accommodations search—and minimize the fear of getting emotionally attached to a dreamy beach house rental that unexpectedly surpasses your budget.
Transparency is a major theme throughout this update. In an effort to resolve another issue users have had with Airbnb as of late—being sprung with lengthy lists of chores upon check-out, even when fronting an already-high cleaning bill—check-out instructions and requirements will now be more visible.
While browsing rentals, travelers will have access to check-out instructions on each property's listing page, and can read the terms and conditions before they punch in their credit cards digits. They'll also be pinged with a reminder about the check-out instructions at the end of the trip. Lastly, after it's all over during the review process, guests will be able to report any unreasonable check-out requests—and listings with high volumes of complaints about check-out will be removed from Airbnb.
Improved single-room rentals
With many travelers looking to do so more affordably these days, the company is going back to its roots with the launch of “Airbnb Rooms.” Users can now browse a curated collection of a million private bedrooms for rent around the world. The launch also includes the release of “Host Passports,” profiles that share greater details on the identities and personalities of hosts, and greater transparency about privacy features (like locks) on listing pages. We're eyeing a few of the rooms below:
- A villa with spectacular lake views in Lombardy, Italy — $274 per night
- An artist's apartment in Paris, France — $143 per night
- Your own mini library in Saint Paul, Minnesota — $150 per night
- A colorful sanctuary in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — $21
- Cozy, cozy, cozy in Copenhagen, Denmark —$105
And other new touches
Here are a few more changes you can expect to find on Airbnb this summer: