Ready to find a place to stay and a local to share it with? Here's everything you need to know about finding hosts and getting your stay request out the door.
How Do I Search for Hosts?
You can search for hosts from the Explore page.
On mobile:
- Tap Explore
in the bottom navigation bar
- Tap the search bar and select Hosts from the search categories
- Search your destination
On the web:
- Click Explore
- Click the search bar and select Hosts from the search categories
- Search your destination
Results are personalized to your profile, so you're more likely to see hosts you actually have something in common with. Each result shows the host's photo, name, reference and friend count, and shared interests. Tap or click any result to open their full profile.
How Do I Send a Stay Request?
Found someone you'd love to stay with? You can send them a stay request right from their profile.
On mobile:
- Tap Request Stay on the host's profile
- Select an existing trip or tap New Trip to create one
- Fill out the stay request form with your note to the host, dates, and number of travelers
- Tap Send Request
On the web:
- Click Request Stay on the host's profile
- Select an existing trip or click New Trip to create one
- Fill out the stay request form with your note to the host, dates, and number of travelers
- Click Send Request
Once your request goes out, you'll see a "Request Sent" confirmation. Tap or click View to jump straight into your chat with the host, where your stay will show as Pending Stay while you wait for their response.
Tips for Writing a Great Stay Request?
Your note to the host is your first impression, so make it count! Members who personalize their requests have a much better shot at finding a place to stay. Check out What Makes a Great Stay Request? for ideas on how to craft a message that gets a response.
What Happens After I Send a Request?
Once your request is out, you'll get notifications keeping you in the loop. All the back-and-forth happens in your chat with the host:
- The host reviews your request and accepts it
- You'll be asked to confirm the stay
- Once you confirm, your stay is officially upcoming!
A stay details banner lives at the top of your chat so the key info is always easy to find.
When Will I See the Host's Address?
For confirmed stays, the host's exact address and a link to directions will appear in the stay details within 24 hours of your stay. Before that, you'll see a general map showing their approximate area.
Can I Send Multiple Stay Requests?
Yes! You can have stay requests going with multiple different hosts at the same time. That said, you can only have one active stay request or upcoming stay with the same host at a time.
One Thing to Know: The platform doesn't check for date overlap, so it's possible to confirm stays with different hosts for the same dates. Keep track of your plans and cancel any stays you won't be using.
Can I Cancel a Stay Request?
Yes. You can cancel at any time, even after a stay has been accepted and confirmed. Open your chat with the host, tap or click the three-dot menu, and select the option to cancel.
Where Can I See My Stay Requests?
Head to Library and look under Your Stays to find all your stay requests and upcoming stays. If you're hosting someone, you'll find it under Your Guests.
A Couple Things to Know:
- Sending a stay request requires you to have completed at least 2 profile steps. If you haven't yet, you'll be prompted to finish up your profile first.
- Only you and the host can see your stay request. It's not visible to other members.
Need more help? Get in touch. You can also reach us anytime through Settings → Contact Support.