Traveling to Europe? Airbnb alternatives to consider
Airbnb, the largest player in the short-term home rental market, has earned its fair share of criticism recently.
Local towns have pushed back against the rental giant exacerbating a housing crunch and destroying their sense of community. Visitors have complained about the safety and cleanliness of properties while neighbors have fought against ongoing Airbnb party pads.
Airbnb has responded in varying degrees to the complaints, but some travelers are still looking for a different option for home and apartment rentals when traveling.
Many people want something more specialized for families or a particular style of lodging. Others may want a rental property to be more connected with local communities, or a rental network that is just smaller and more visitor-focused.
Fortunately, travelers do have a variety of alternative choices outside of Airbnb for renting properties both domestically and internationally.
TPG took a look at a few of the Airbnb alternatives out there to help you determine if some of them might be right for you.
Related: A dirty discovery: What I learned about Airbnb’s trip protection after an epic vacation rental fail
Fairbnb
Fairbnb takes specific aim at some of the issues dogging Airbnb. As their name implies, the Fairbnb Co-op promises to be fairer to visitors, hosts and the community around them. Their booking fees are split evenly between the company and local community projects.
Fairbnb also restricts hosts from owning more than one rental property in an effort to maintain a closer relationship with the communities. The goal is to exclude the mega-owner property speculators, the types of rental property owners blamed for hollowing out communities and causing housing shortages, particularly for affordable living.
Fairbnb rents properties in nine European countries, including Belgium, Croatia, France Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland and Italy, which has the widest selection of rental properties.
Rentals are on the budget side, beginning at just about 30 euros (just under $30) a night for a basic apartment to more than 300 euros ($299) a night for a two-bedroom home plus cleaning fees and a 10% booking fee, half of which goes to local projects.
Paris Perfect
Paris Perfect is the original France segment of the Vacation Perfect booking agency. It coordinates higher-end vacation property rentals in destinations including Bali, Italy, London and Paris.
Paris Perfect rental properties, and others in its network, are focused on luxurious and stylish apartments and home rentals close to popular tourist locations in upscale districts of the destination.
One-bedroom apartment bookings in Paris begin at $350 per night, so this is definitely not a budget travel option. But the apartment interiors and views are quite nice, and the user reviews are glowing.
"For Europe, one of my personal favorites is Paris Perfect and their subsidiaries," said TPG editor Melissa Klurman. "I stayed in one of their apartments for my birthday and it was a-ma-zing."
Kid & Coe
For families searching for child-appropriate lodging, it may be hard to sort through and judge the near-infinite options of a site like Airbnb. You're never quite sure until digging deep into user reviews, and sometimes not even until you arrive, whether the property is right for kids. Website photos can be deceptive in determining if a house really has living space suitable for a family holiday.
Enter Kid & Coe, a rental company network specializing in kid- and family-friendly properties. Its staff and partners visit and curate a collection of homes with specific qualities that families may be looking for, like pools, playrooms and separated sleeping areas for parents.
Kid & Coe even stocks the homes with books and toys so you'll have a bit less to pack for a family vacation. Properties mention nearby playgrounds and other attractions for kids, as well.
Kid & Coe sorts its properties across destinations worldwide, including prime European tourist cities of Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, London and Paris. The company also features countryside retreats and island beach houses — some suitable for larger multi-generational family gatherings.
Onefinestay
Onefinestay is the first-class, concierge-level collection of rental properties. Think lavish beachside resort-home living in Saint-Tropez, townhomes in London's most fashionable districts or a villa on the shores of Lake Como, Italy.
The company can tailor your stay with concierge services including private chefs and chauffeurs, childcare, grocery delivery and booking services for area dining and events.
Rentals for Onefinestay begin in the $500 per night range and go well beyond $2,000 per night, with additional charges for the special services. The company has travel advisors who can help match you to the home of your dreams (particularly if budget is no object). They also have luxury options that can be affordable when shared between a couple of families.
Bottom line
Travelers who are interested in booking a short-term rental property, both in the U.S. and abroad, have many other options than the big names of Airbnb and Vrbo, particularly in Europe.
If you're looking for kid-focused properties, luxury options in bucket-list destinations, or just a place that contributes to the community, it's worthwhile checking out one of the choices above.
Do your own research on the rental websites, read the user reviews and reach out to both the company and the property owner if you have questions regarding a potential rental. Read the fine print on deposits, cleaning fees and rules of the home — luxury properties may have very particular rules and fees associated with them.
TPG will continue to monitor the short-term home and apartment rental company offerings and will report on further developments in this industry.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.