Airbnb Message Templates: 24 Copy-Paste Messages for Every Stage of a Stay

Most of what an Airbnb host types is the same handful of messages: thanks for booking, here's how to get in, is everything OK, checkout is tomorrow, thanks for staying. Write each one well once, and you never type it again.

Here are 24 Airbnb message templates for every stage of a stay, from the first inquiry to the review request, including the awkward ones: lockouts, noise, damage and early check-in requests. Each is short enough to read on a phone, fills in names, dates and codes with Airbnb's own placeholders, and is checked against Airbnb's rules, several of which change for reservations booked on or after November 20, 2026. I run AI Hustle Guy and have worked with Airbnb and Vrbo hosts; this library is part of my AI for Airbnb hosts guide.

Policies checked on Airbnb's Help Center and Resource Center, October 22 and 23, 2026.

The short answer (October 2026): Good Airbnb message templates are short (under about 100 words), cover one topic each, and use Airbnb's "details" so the guest's name, dates, address and Wi-Fi fill in automatically. Schedule six of them on Airbnb's Booking confirmed, Check-in and Checkout triggers, and keep the rest as quick replies. For reservations booked from November 20, 2026, no message may add a rule, a chore or a fine.

Five facts to know (October 2026):

• Airbnb messages, quick replies included, can be up to 4,000 characters (Airbnb Help).
• Scheduled quick replies for homes run on three triggers: Booking confirmed, Check-in and Checkout (Airbnb Help).
• Guests see your detailed check-in instructions 48 hours before check-in (Airbnb Help).
• For reservations booked on or after November 20, 2026, hosts can't add rules or requests by message or fine guests, and generally can't ask for chores a cleaner would do (Airbnb Help).
• Hosts and guests have 14 days after checkout to write a review (Airbnb Help).

Jump to: inquiry · welcome · check-in · during the stay · checkout · review request · problems · timing requests · lines to delete

How to use these templates

The templates use two kinds of placeholder:

• {Curly braces} are Airbnb details. When you save the template (Messages, then Settings, then Manage quick replies), replace each one with the matching detail from Airbnb's list, and Airbnb fills it in for every guest.
• [Square brackets] are yours to fill in, once when you save the template or each time you send it.

Airbnb offers 38 details for homes (Airbnb Help). A detail shows as "unavailable" if the listing field behind it is empty, so fill in your listing first, starting with the check-in method and instructions in your Arrival guide (Airbnb Help).

Illustration. The guest details are made up.

Keep the wording plain: Airbnb auto-translates messages into the guest's language (Airbnb Help).

When each template sends

Each template is marked Scheduled (Airbnb sends it on a trigger) or Quick reply (you send it from the thread). Schedule these six:

The timings follow Airbnb's suggestions, from a welcome at booking to a thank-you a day or two after checkout (Airbnb Resource Center). Pick the closest option the scheduler offers; messages go out in the listing's time zone.

For templates 7, 8 and 12, turn on Send for last minute bookings and short stays before you save, so a late booking or a short stay doesn't skip them (Airbnb Help). My guide to automating Airbnb messages covers the setup and what to do when a message doesn't send.

Airbnb inquiry response templates

Airbnb asks hosts to answer inquiries within 24 hours (Airbnb Help), and without Instant Book, how quickly you respond also feeds your search ranking (Airbnb Help).

Before a booking, keep everything on Airbnb: its payments policy requires all pre-booking communication to happen there and bars links that take people off the platform (Airbnb Help), and Airbnb blocks messages that look like contact details (Airbnb Help). Use only {guest_name} here, since reservation details don't exist yet.

1. Dates are open: invite them to book

Quick reply. Then send a pre-approval, which guests see as an invitation to book and Airbnb calls the fastest way to turn an inquiry into a booking. It lasts 24 hours.

Hi {guest_name}, thanks for reaching out! [Dates] are open, and I'd love to host you. [One-line answer to their question.] I've sent you an invitation to book, so you can confirm in a couple of taps. Any other questions, just ask here.

2. Dates are taken: offer an alternative

Quick reply.

Hi {guest_name}, thank you for asking about [dates]. I'm sorry, those nights are already booked. [Nearest open dates] are free if your plans are flexible, and I'd be glad to send you a special offer for them here on Airbnb. Either way, I hope you have a wonderful trip.

3. "Is it a good fit for us?"

Quick reply. For questions about kids, remote work, accessibility or groups.

Hi {guest_name}, great question. The honest answer: [direct answer, e.g., "it works well for young kids. There's a crib and a gated deck, but the stairs to the bedrooms are steep"]. [One detail they'd want to know.] The listing has the full amenities list, and I'm happy to answer anything it doesn't cover.

Answer only from your listing. Airbnb announced AI auto-replies in May 2026 that answer common questions from your amenities, description and house manual (Airbnb Resource Center), so add anything guests ask that your listing doesn't cover. Honest answers also protect your accuracy rating.

4. "Can you do a better price?"

Quick reply. Two endings.

If you can:

Hi {guest_name}, thanks for asking. For [dates], I can do [price or discount], and I've sent it as a special offer here on Airbnb, so you'll see the full total before you book.

If you can't:

Hi {guest_name}, thanks for asking. My price for those dates already includes [reason, e.g., "the weekly discount"], so I can't go lower this time. I'd still love to host you, and if your dates change, I'm happy to take another look.

5. "Can I pay you directly or text you?"

Quick reply.

Hi {guest_name}, thanks for asking! I keep all bookings, payments and messages on Airbnb, so you're protected by AirCover and we both have a record of everything. Ask me anything here, and once you've booked, I'll send everything you need for arrival.

Guests who pay outside Airbnb lose AirCover (Airbnb Help). If an inquiry pushes for a wire transfer or another outside payment, report it to Airbnb.

What no template can fix

These templates help guests who have already messaged or booked. With a quiet inbox, the bigger leak is usually the guests who scroll past.

As of October 2026, in the US, Airbnb's search cards show the property type and town (such as "Cabin in Gatlinburg") and a one-line description Airbnb writes from details hosts provide, not your title. Your cover photo, price and rating carry the card, and then your first five photos, title and description opening have to deliver.

If you get views but no bookings, start with the listing (the full diagnosis). The free mini-audit shows your cover in Airbnb's real crops next to the listings around yours, scores your current first five photos and names your first fix. The full audit ($39) adds three new titles, a rewritten description opening and the spots where your photos, captions and amenities disagree.

Airbnb welcome messages after booking

Schedule the welcome on the Booking confirmed trigger, and leave out what Airbnb doesn't allow: for reservations booked from November 20, 2026, that includes asking for a government ID or a separate signed contract, outside limited cases such as legal requirements or HOA rules (Airbnb Help, Airbnb Resource Center). Most hosts can't charge a security deposit at all (Airbnb Help).

6. Welcome after booking

Scheduled: Booking confirmed, 5 minutes after.

Hi {guest_name}, thank you for booking! I'm looking forward to hosting you on {check_in_date}. Check-in is from {check_in_time}, and two days before you arrive I'll send the address, directions and how to get in. Your house rules are in your Trips tab whenever you need them.

Two quick questions: roughly what time do you expect to arrive, and is there anything that would make the trip easier, like [a crib or extra towels]?

Past guest booking again? Follow the welcome with a short note by hand: "Welcome back! Not much has changed, except [one update]."

Pre-arrival and check-in messages

Guests see detailed check-in instructions in their trip 48 hours before check-in (Airbnb Help), so send arrival details two days out and the code on arrival day. Airbnb expects reliable access, with correct directions and a working code, and a reply within an hour to messages near check-in during local daytime hours (Airbnb Help).

7. Arrival details

Scheduled: Check-in, 2 days before, 10:00 AM. Last-minute toggle on.

Hi {guest_name}, your trip is almost here! Here's what you need for {check_in_date}.

Address: {address}

Getting here: {directions}

Parking: [where to park, as described on your listing].

Check-in is from {check_in_time}. Getting in: {check_in_method}. I'll send step-by-step instructions and your code on arrival day.

Things to do nearby: {guidebook}

Any questions before then? Just reply here.

8. Self check-in

Scheduled: Check-in, morning of arrival day. Last-minute toggle on.

Good morning, {guest_name}! Everything's ready for you from {check_in_time} today.

Getting in: [where the lockbox or keypad is, e.g., "the keypad is to the right of the front door"]. Your code is {entry_code}.

Wi-Fi: {wifi_name}, password {wifi_password}.

One thing guests often miss: [e.g., "the porch light switch is just inside the door, on the left"].

How everything works: {house_manual}

If anything isn't right, message me here or call me: {host_phone}

If codes change for each guest, check the filled-in message first: in the guest's thread, click Add +, then View scheduled quick replies (Airbnb Help). Meeting guests in person? Swap the "Getting in" line for where and when you'll meet. Save the Wi-Fi line as its own quick reply, too. Co-hosts, note that the phone detail is the primary host's.

Messages during the stay

9. First-morning check

Scheduled: Check-in, 1 day after, 10:00 AM.

Good morning, {guest_name}! I hope you slept well. Is everything as you expected? If anything is missing or not working, tell me now and I'll fix it today. Enjoy your day!

Answer the replies yourself: this message catches problems while you can still fix them.

10. Local tips

Quick reply.

Happy to help, {guest_name}! A few of my favorites nearby:

Coffee: [place, and why you like it]

Dinner: [place, and why]

[Something to do: place, and why]

More ideas are in my guide: {guidebook}

List only places you know. If AI drafts it, check every name, since chat assistants can invent plausible places.

11. Friendly house rules reminder

Quick reply. Airbnb now offers your house rules as a quick reply for exactly this (Airbnb Resource Center).

Hi {guest_name}, I hope the stay is going well! Just a friendly reminder about quiet hours: [quiet hours, worded exactly as in your house rules]. Sound carries to the neighbors from [the deck], so thank you for helping us stay on good terms with them.

Quote the rule word for word, or insert {house_rules}. Never add a new one by message or by a sign in the home.

Airbnb checkout messages

For reservations booked on or after November 20, 2026, a checkout message can repeat the requests in your House rules and requests section, where checkout instructions now live, and nothing more (Airbnb Help).

Airbnb's examples of requests that are generally fine: put used dishes in the sink, gather used towels, sort trash and recycling into indoor bins, and turn off the air conditioning when you leave. Generally not allowed: washing and putting away dishes, removing sheets, starting laundry or taking garbage off-site (Airbnb Resource Center).

What a checkout message can still ask for. Based on Airbnb's Help Center and Resource Center, October 2026.

12. Checkout reminder

Scheduled: Checkout, 1 day before, 6:00 PM. Last-minute toggle on.

Hi {guest_name}, I hope you've had a wonderful stay! A quick reminder that checkout is tomorrow, {checkout_date}, by {checkout_time}.

Before you go: [your checkout requests, word for word from your House rules and requests, e.g., "please put used dishes in the sink, leave used towels in the tub, and lock the front door"].

That's all. Thank you for staying with us, and safe travels!

If a guest asks where things go on checkout morning, answer with the same list and nothing more.

Thank-you and review request messages

Hosts and guests have 14 days after checkout to review, and Airbnb prompts both on checkout day (Airbnb Help), so one friendly note is plenty. If you remind anyone later, do it once, by hand, and only if they haven't reviewed.

Airbnb's review policy bars pressuring or incentivizing anyone over a review, or trading one for anything of value, such as a discount, a refund or a reciprocal positive review (Airbnb Help). Its Host Privacy Standards also bar encouraging guests to review you on another website (Airbnb Help).

13. Thank you and review invite

Scheduled: Checkout, 1 day after, 10:00 AM.

Hi {guest_name}, thank you for staying with us! I hope you got home safely. If you have a minute, an honest review helps future guests know what to expect, and it helps me too. And if anything could have been better, I'd really like to hear it, here or in your review.

"Here or in your review" is deliberate: asking guests to tell you privately instead of reviewing can come across as steering the review.

14. Welcome back (only if they asked)

Quick reply. Send it only to guests who asked to hear about future dates.

Hi {guest_name}, you asked me to let you know when [season] dates opened, and the calendar for [months] is now open on Airbnb. If you'd like to come back, you can book right from the listing, and if you have dates in mind, message me here and I'll check them for you.

Ask first: Airbnb's Terms bar using its messaging tools for commercial messages without express consent (Airbnb Terms, section 11.1). One line at the end of template 13 does it: "Would you like a heads-up when [season] dates open?" Keep the rebooking on Airbnb, with no direct-booking discount or link to your own site.

When something goes wrong

Reply first, fix second: for a time-sensitive problem during a stay, Airbnb expects a reply within an hour during local daytime hours (Airbnb Help). Keep everything in the Airbnb thread so there's a record, and don't promise money on the spot: decide first, then send any refund through the Resolution Center (Airbnb Help).

15. Something isn't working

Quick reply.

Hi {guest_name}, I'm so sorry about the [problem], and thank you for telling me right away. [What happens next, e.g., "A repair person can come today between 2 and 4 PM. Does that work for you?"] [Workaround, if any, e.g., "In the meantime, there's a space heater in the hall closet."] I'll update you as soon as I know more.

16. Noise or quiet hours

Quick reply.

Hi {guest_name}, I hope you're all having a good time. A neighbor has let me know the noise is carrying tonight. Our quiet hours start at [time, as in your house rules], so could you please keep the volume low from now on? Thanks so much for understanding.

Stick to the rule as written and never threaten a fine, since fines aren't allowed (Airbnb Help). If it continues, contact Airbnb; hosts can cancel without fees when a guest breaks a house rule during the stay (Airbnb Resource Center).

17. Locked out or can't get in

Quick reply. Save it where you can find it fast.

I'm so sorry, {guest_name}, let's get you inside. First, please check [the most common fix, e.g., "that you're at the side door with the keypad, not the front door"]. If that doesn't work, call me right now: {host_phone}. [Your backup plan, e.g., "My co-host lives 5 minutes away and can bring a key."] I'm on it.

18. Changing dates, guests or pets

Quick reply.

Hi {guest_name}, happy to look at that! Changes to dates, guests or pets go through Airbnb, so the price and your booking stay correct. I'll send you a change request now, and once you accept it, your reservation updates. [If you can't: "I'm sorry, I can't fit that change in this time, because [reason]."]

Airbnb requires its Change reservation tool for changes to nights, guests or pets (Airbnb Help). Send it from the reservation (Manage reservation, then Change reservation), and the guest accepts it (Airbnb Help).

19. Cancellation or refund request

Quick reply.

Hi {guest_name}, thanks for letting me know, and I'm sorry your plans have changed. You can cancel from your trip on Airbnb, and the refund follows the cancellation policy on your reservation. [If you're offering more: "Once the cancellation goes through, I'll also refund [amount] through Airbnb."] If there's anything else I can do, just ask.

You can send a guest money through the Resolution Center once a reservation has started or been canceled (Airbnb Help).

20. Damage found after checkout

Quick reply. Calm and factual.

Hi {guest_name}, thanks again for staying with us. While cleaning, we found [what you found, plainly, e.g., "a crack in the glass shower door"]. Accidents happen, and I wanted to tell you first. I've attached photos. To cover [the repair or replacement], I'll send a request through Airbnb's Resolution Center, where you'll see the details. If you have questions, ask me here.

Reimbursement requests must go through the Resolution Center (Airbnb Help), and damage requests within 14 days of checkout (Airbnb Help).

Early check-in, late checkout and other timing requests

Airbnb's defaults are 3:00 PM check-in and 11:00 AM checkout unless you set your own (Airbnb Help), and it tells guests a yes may come with an extra charge, for example for extra cleaning (Airbnb Help).

If you charge, describe the fee in your House rules and requests before guests book, where Airbnb allows information on optional add-on fees (Airbnb Help). Then request it through the Resolution Center, where Airbnb's guest help says payments for optional amenities should go (Airbnb Help).

21. Early check-in

Quick reply. Two endings.

If yes:

Good news, {guest_name}: the place will be ready early, so you're welcome to check in from [time] on {check_in_date}. [Only if your House rules and requests list a fee: "As noted in the house rules, early check-in is [fee], and I'll send the request through Airbnb."] See you soon!

If not:

Thanks for asking, {guest_name}. I can't offer an earlier check-in this time, because [reason, e.g., "the cleaners need the morning after the guests before you"]. Check-in is from {check_in_time}. [If you can: "You're welcome to leave your bags at [place] from [time]."]

22. Late checkout

Quick reply. Two endings.

If yes:

Happy to help, {guest_name}: you're welcome to stay until [time] on {checkout_date}. [Fee line, only if it's in your House rules and requests.] Everything else stays the same. Enjoy the extra time!

If not:

I'd love to say yes, {guest_name}, but [reason, e.g., "new guests arrive that afternoon and the cleaners need the time"]. Checkout stays at {checkout_time}. [If you can: "You're welcome to leave bags at [place] until [time]."] Thank you for understanding!

23. Late arrival

Quick reply.

No problem at all, {guest_name}. [For self check-in: "Self check-in works at any hour, so arrive whenever suits you."] [For in-person check-in: "I can meet you until [time]. After that, I'll leave the key in the lockbox and send you the code here."] Two things for a late arrival: [e.g., "the outside light is on a timer until midnight"], and our quiet hours start at [time]. Safe travels!

24. Leaving early

Quick reply.

Thanks for letting me know, {guest_name}, and I hope everything is OK. When you leave, just follow the usual checkout steps: [your checkout requests, word for word] and lock up. If you'd like to change your reservation dates, you can send a change request on Airbnb, and I'll look at it today. Safe travels!

Guests can propose a trip change, which you accept or decline (Airbnb Help). If they're leaving because something went wrong, start with template 15.

Lines to delete from older templates

What older templates get wrong (checked October 23, 2026)

Airbnb published its new house rules policy on October 20, 2026, so older templates, including the top-ranking guides we checked, don't reflect it, and AI drafts can repeat their lines. Delete these:

• "Please strip the beds and start a load of laundry." Generally not allowed for reservations booked from November 20, 2026 (Airbnb Help).
• "Please run the dishwasher before you leave." That's washing dishes. Airbnb's example of a fine request is putting used dishes in the sink.
• "Please take the trash to the dumpster down the street." Taking garbage off-site is out; sorting it into indoor bins is fine.
• "A $50 fee applies if..." Fines and penalties aren't allowed.
• "Please send a photo of your ID." Only where the law requires it, or in a few other limited cases.
• "Text me at..." or "Book direct next time for 10% off." Pre-booking contact must stay on Airbnb, and discounts for booking elsewhere are banned (Airbnb Help).
• "Please leave us 5 stars" or "I left you 5 stars, I hope you'll do the same." Airbnb bars pressure, incentives and trading reviews for "something of value", which includes a reciprocal positive review (Airbnb Help). Ask for an honest review instead.
• "Please also review us on Google." Airbnb bars encouraging guests to review you on another site (Airbnb Help).

Before you save any template, run what I call the Nothing New check. Does it add a rule, a chore, a fee, a contact detail or a link that isn't already on your listing? Does it offer anything in return for a review? If the answer to either is yes, cut that line.

Personalize any template with one AI prompt

These templates are plain on purpose. To make them sound like you, paste this into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini (how they compare). Thanks to the placeholders, you share templates, not guests' names or door codes.

Rewrite these Airbnb message templates in my voice: [paste templates]. Match this message I sent a guest, names removed: [paste]. Use these listing facts: [paste, without door codes, passwords or guest names]. Keep every placeholder in curly braces exactly as written, fill square brackets only from my facts, and keep each under 80 words. Don't add rules, chores, fees, links, phone numbers or review requests. Then list anything that conflicts with my house rules.

Read every result before you save it, since AI drafts can add details that sound right but aren't. My AI prompts for Airbnb hosts cover review replies, house manuals and listing copy.

Make them send themselves

Load the six scheduled templates into Airbnb's free scheduler; save the other 18 as quick replies. Two things to know:

• Edits reach existing bookings. Scheduled quick replies apply to current and upcoming reservations (Airbnb Help), so a checkout message you rewrite for November 20 also reaches guests already booked.
• Co-hosts need their own copy. Hosts and co-hosts don't share quick replies, though team members with guest management permissions do (same page).

Also on Vrbo or Booking.com? Hospitable's free Essentials plan includes a unified inbox and automated messaging for Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com and Agoda (scheduled messages are marked limited on the free plan, as of October 2026). Swap my placeholders for its shortcodes when you paste. That's an affiliate link: if you sign up, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. For larger portfolios, see Hospitable vs Hostaway and the Airbnb tools I recommend.

FAQ

Does Airbnb have message templates?

Yes. Airbnb calls them quick replies. It gives you ready-made templates for common guest questions, and you can write your own with details that fill in the guest's name, dates, address and Wi-Fi. You can also schedule any quick reply around a confirmed booking, check-in or checkout.

What should I say in an Airbnb welcome message?

Thank the guest by name, confirm the check-in date and time, and say when you'll send arrival details. Ask one useful question, like their arrival time. Keep it under 100 words and schedule it on Airbnb's Booking confirmed trigger, a few minutes after booking, so it goes out even when you're busy.

When should I send check-in instructions on Airbnb?

About two days before arrival. Guests can see your detailed check-in instructions 48 hours before check-in, and Airbnb suggests following up 24 to 48 hours ahead. Send the address, directions and parking then, and the entry code and Wi-Fi on arrival day. Turn on the last-minute toggle so late bookings still get both.

What should an Airbnb checkout message include?

The checkout date and time, how to lock up or return keys, and only the requests already in your House rules and requests section. For reservations booked on or after November 20, 2026, Airbnb generally bars chores such as stripping beds, starting laundry, washing dishes or taking trash off-site, and bars any new request added by message.

Can I ask Airbnb guests for a 5-star review?

Ask for an honest review instead. Airbnb's review policy bars pressuring or incentivizing anyone to influence a review, and reviews can't be traded for anything of value, such as a discount, a refund or a reciprocal positive review. Airbnb's Host Privacy Standards also bar encouraging guests to review you on another site, such as Google.

Can I give Airbnb guests my phone number before they book?

No. Airbnb's payments policy says all communication before booking must happen on Airbnb, and it bars links that take people off the platform and discounts for booking elsewhere. Airbnb doesn't share phone numbers or emails before a reservation is confirmed, and it blocks messages that look like contact details. Answer every question in the Airbnb thread.

How do I add the guest's name to an Airbnb message template?

Insert a detail. When you create or edit a quick reply under Messages, Settings, Manage quick replies, add the Guest's first name detail where the name goes. Airbnb lists 38 details for homes, including check-in time, address, Wi-Fi name and password, and entry code. A detail shows as unavailable if the listing field behind it is empty.