I'd like to see this available at all times.

I've perhaps been a bit unlucky with the site so far, but my attempts to find a place have been unsuccessful on a couple of occasions. I feel it might be easier to just let the hosts come to me, given that, unlike a hotel, availability is never guaranteed so you never really know if a room is actually available when you're searching.

If I can say - Copenhagen, 2nd - 5th April, fairly central - and then the available hosts come to *me* - I think this is a great way to work.

Can we get this feature without the 5 day constraint?

If for some reason this yellow bar with the link 'Do you need a place pronto?' does not appear in the search listings, you can also access the Standby List from this address:

http://www.airbnb.com/messaging/standby

Hi, I agree with Tom Cavill. This is my first experience with airbnb and so far I have not been successful i finding a place at NYC for 29Sept - 6 Oct 2010 despite contacting several hosts. They would usually reply with "sorry, room not available". It doesn't help that many do not update their calendars to indicate the dates they are able to have guests. Am getting desperate.

Would be great to have the feature to enable hosts to contact us instead, without waiting for the 5-day constraint which would be too late.

i dont' see this option on the search page. does it still exist?

I agree also, it would be easier to post the days and the place you need accommodations and have the owners/renters contact you.

One problem with the standby list is that hosts can make you an offer for a certain price, and then add ridiculously high costs for "cleaning", which are mentioned in their house rules, but not in the offer. We had this experience with a NYC host who made us an offer when another deal fell through and we were desperate.

It would be nice if hosts were required to mention any extra costs in the offer.

My booked AirBnB accommodation canceled days before my arrival. Alternate locations never responded. But I had over 20 hosts respond with great savings for a last-minute booking. And AirBnB has been great in smoothing the difficulties. Now if the Italian train system would just behave... :-)

Agreed with Tom, the site is geared towards letting the person renting the house out which clearly they will want to screen who they're letting stay with them, but after several non responses or them setting available dates and those dates not actually being available it makes sense for them to look for someone AS WELL AS people searching for a place enquiring. This would encourage more people like me to put detailed profiles on so you could sell how great you'd be to stay with! I guess the point I'm making is it wasn't out of a lack of effort that I'm looking for somewhere last minute!

For some reason Australia is not on the list of available countries for standby :-(

how do i remove my standby request?

I'd also - and dearly - like to know how to remove my standby request, I am getting swamped with replies (okay, it has been only 4, but still that's quite enough now....)

OMG!!!! what is up wth the NASTY hosts??? I put myself on "standby" because my son and I were going to try to catch a baseball game in NYC. My spouse is an airline pilot and we fy via standby so we do not know whether my son and I would go, or all 5 of us (I put this in the request). I needed a place that slept up to 5 people, even if only 2 of us were there. Totally makes sense to a normal human being. I didn't contact ELIANA A. directly about a specific property, but she contacted me. Our emails, unedited, are below. Her response to my "Standby" request is what I inititally received from Airbnb, and begins at the bottom of this comment. WTH??

As to my english
i made myself clear
&
i meant to be rude
it was not bad grammar
manner yes
Besides
who has to be subservient is you not me.

i have the goods and i choose who i want in my place
you did not pass our screening phase.

you will need luck to find a place in NYC

maybe

New Jersey will be more befitting with your attitude.

Report this message privately
.

.

Eliana A. about 3 hours ago .

You about 11 hours ago

Work on your English because your translation is very rude. I was willing to pay for Five ppl even if no one else showed up. You have obviously never worked with anyone in the airline industry who flies via standby only. YOU contacted me about a,place. I never emailed you.
.

.

Grace

it makes a difference for us

Good luck

This comnversation is over.

Report this message privately
.

.

Eliana A. about 11 hours ago .

You about 13 hours ago

Which apartment is this? I still do not know. So, assume there will be five people. What difference does it make if I tell you five people, but there are only two of us? And, I'd like to know what apartment you are referring to because I do not see that I emailed a request to you. Thank you, Grace
.

.

Sorry but i will not pursue this reservation on the account that you do not know how many people are staying in the apartement

I will not certainly accept 5 people.

Good luck

Report this message privately
.

.

Eliana A. about 18 hours ago .

You about 23 hours ago

There are 2, at the most 5 people (my husband and I and our three sons ages 9,7, and 4...not sure if the 4 y/o would come or stay home with grandma or even if my husband and 7 y/o can make it). So, I'd need a queen bed and a sofa sleeper. I've been to New York many times and am familiar with high and low seasons, etc. I'm not sure which property you are referring to that would be $500 for two nights. Please advise. Thank you, Grace
.

OMG

.

I am sorry but the not to know for sure how many people are going to be in the apt is something we do not appreciate

apt is for 2
sept is high season
price for 2 days
$500 all inclusive

there are 2 separate sleeping space

Thank you for the interest you took in our properties.

Due to the attention to all the details and recent reviews our flats are being rented months in advance.

it just happen we have ur 2 day open slot

I wish you keep us in mind for your future visit.
good luck in finding a good place
and a great NYC visit.

Eliana

PS - you might consider
(website hidden)

there are good pickings
but
beware of scams..

PLEASE DO NOT GET SCAMMED...

or

renting from someone that might cancel on you for a better offer the eve of your arrival.

IT HAPPENS TOO OFTEN

i strongly recommend :
www.airbnb.com
register yourself as STANDBY requests.

VERY IMPORTANT:

OFFER Top Price !!!!!!!!!!

THERE IS UR ONLY LEVERAGE AT THIS POINT OF THE GAME
IF YOU OFFER LITTLE YOU WILL GET NO ANSWERS.

FYI

YOU NEW KIDS COMING TO NYC SHOULD BRAVE OUT THE NEW FRONTIER LAND

HARLEM IS IN FACT A WONDERFUL PLACE TO BE

SPECIALLY THAT PRICES ARE 1/2 OF THE VILLAGE AND WITH the 'A" TRAIN IT WILL BRING YOU MIDTOWN IN 6 MINUTES.

Jersey City or Hoboken is 20 on the Path Train

last case solution:

go to BOOKING.COM

try the:
Wellington
or
Remington
hotels which are fairly priced

Obviously if you feel like a splurge:

Must Short List of the trendiest hotels hence hang out places:
(website hidden) (website hidden) (website hidden) (website hidden)

OMG!!!! what is up wth the NASTY hosts??? I put myself on "standby" because my son and I were going to try to catch a baseball game in NYC. My spouse is an airline pilot and we fy via standby so we do not know whether my son and I would go, or all 5 of us (I put this in the request). I needed a place that slept up to 5 people, even if only 2 of us were there. Totally makes sense to a normal human being. I didn't contact ELIANA A. directly about a specific property, but she contacted me. Our emails, unedited, are below. Her response to my "Standby" request is what I inititally received from Airbnb, and begins at the bottom of this comment. WTH??

As to my english
i made myself clear
&
i meant to be rude
it was not bad grammar
manner yes
Besides
who has to be subservient is you not me.

i have the goods and i choose who i want in my place
you did not pass our screening phase.

you will need luck to find a place in NYC

maybe

New Jersey will be more befitting with your attitude.

Report this message privately
.

.

Eliana A. about 3 hours ago .

You about 11 hours ago

Work on your English because your translation is very rude. I was willing to pay for Five ppl even if no one else showed up. You have obviously never worked with anyone in the airline industry who flies via standby only. YOU contacted me about a,place. I never emailed you.
.

.

Grace

it makes a difference for us

Good luck

This comnversation is over.

Report this message privately
.

.

Eliana A. about 11 hours ago .

You about 13 hours ago

Which apartment is this? I still do not know. So, assume there will be five people. What difference does it make if I tell you five people, but there are only two of us? And, I'd like to know what apartment you are referring to because I do not see that I emailed a request to you. Thank you, Grace
.

.

Sorry but i will not pursue this reservation on the account that you do not know how many people are staying in the apartement

I will not certainly accept 5 people.

Good luck

Report this message privately
.

.

Eliana A. about 18 hours ago .

You about 23 hours ago

There are 2, at the most 5 people (my husband and I and our three sons ages 9,7, and 4...not sure if the 4 y/o would come or stay home with grandma or even if my husband and 7 y/o can make it). So, I'd need a queen bed and a sofa sleeper. I've been to New York many times and am familiar with high and low seasons, etc. I'm not sure which property you are referring to that would be $500 for two nights. Please advise. Thank you, Grace
.

OMG

.

I am sorry but the not to know for sure how many people are going to be in the apt is something we do not appreciate

apt is for 2
sept is high season
price for 2 days
$500 all inclusive

there are 2 separate sleeping space

Thank you for the interest you took in our properties.

Due to the attention to all the details and recent reviews our flats are being rented months in advance.

it just happen we have ur 2 day open slot

I wish you keep us in mind for your future visit.
good luck in finding a good place
and a great NYC visit.

Eliana

PS - you might consider
(website hidden)

there are good pickings
but
beware of scams..

PLEASE DO NOT GET SCAMMED...

or

renting from someone that might cancel on you for a better offer the eve of your arrival.

IT HAPPENS TOO OFTEN

i strongly recommend :
www.airbnb.com
register yourself as STANDBY requests.

VERY IMPORTANT:

OFFER Top Price !!!!!!!!!!

THERE IS UR ONLY LEVERAGE AT THIS POINT OF THE GAME
IF YOU OFFER LITTLE YOU WILL GET NO ANSWERS.

FYI

YOU NEW KIDS COMING TO NYC SHOULD BRAVE OUT THE NEW FRONTIER LAND

HARLEM IS IN FACT A WONDERFUL PLACE TO BE

SPECIALLY THAT PRICES ARE 1/2 OF THE VILLAGE AND WITH the 'A" TRAIN IT WILL BRING YOU MIDTOWN IN 6 MINUTES.

Jersey City or Hoboken is 20 on the Path Train

last case solution:

go to BOOKING.COM

try the:
Wellington
or
Remington
hotels which are fairly priced

Obviously if you feel like a splurge:

Must Short List of the trendiest hotels hence hang out places:
(website hidden) (website hidden) (website hidden) (website hidden)

I am looking for a private room in Amsterdam from 18th October until 20th. please let me know asap so that I could book it.

Mehul

I am looking for a private room in Amsterdam from 18th October until 20th. please let me know asap so that I could book it.

Mehul

Hello...need a bedroom in DownTown Copenhagen from october 21th to october 25th for 02 persons, me and my brother...
Is there anyone help me....

Looking for a private bedroom in Conpenhagen Downtown for 02 persons, me and my brother...from october 21th to october 25th....someone help me...
e-mail me silviaeleikodobrasil@gmail.com

Looking for a bedroom in Perth Australia from November 13th to November 20th for 1 person.
Is there anyone to help me....
e-mail me , catherine.seilhan@yahoo.com