Working from anywhere just got easier with Airbnb’s new features
This week, Airbnb announced its 2021 winter release, introducing dozens of new features to the vacation rental platform, including some designed to make booking and traveling easier for guests.
Earlier this year, Airbnb dropped a series of new features such as flexible stays and flexible destinations that helped people find places to travel during the pandemic when the "where" and "when" were less important than simply taking advantage of remote work and schooling.
The new features, ranging from updated translation technology to a review process for a home's accessibility features, are helping the platform become more inclusive.
Other new advances, like a tool to help verify a home's Wi-Fi speed and a wider search tool for people who are "even more flexible" with their travel plans, also highlight how Airbnb is adapting to how travel has changed during the pandemic.
According to a new survey from Airbnb, out of 7,500 consumers, 38% "of self-identified hybrid/remote employees say they would rather quit their jobs than go back to work in-person full-time." In the same survey, 63% of those polled said they expect more flexibility from their companies.
Translation: Wi-Fi speeds are very important to this new set of remote workers who are willing to work, well, basically anywhere.
Whether you're looking for a place to work by the beach or just a house to rent for the holidays, here are some of the new Airbnb features you can use to start planning a trip today.
Better translation
Just as the U.S. borders reopen to foreign travelers this week, one of Airbnb's most exciting features for people hoping to travel abroad without the hurdle of a language barrier is its new "translation engine."
Operating in over 60 languages, the updated translation software "improves the quality of more than 99% of Airbnb listings," the company claims. Now, users will no longer need to click to translate property descriptions and reviews as they'll be automatically translated instead.
Confirmed Wi-Fi speeds
With "Verified Wi-Fi," a great new feature for people who need to stay connected while traveling, hosts can test the internet speed in their listing in the Airbnb app and have it confirmed in the listing. This feature will help Airbnb users dodge spotty Wi-Fi and have a more productive work-from-anywhere experience.
More flexibility
When Airbnb originally launched flexible search options earlier this year, people were ready to go wherever Airbnb told them they could, from mountain retreats to seaside escapes, all because they were able to be flexible by a few days, a few months or even a few hundred miles.
Now, Airbnb is releasing the "I'm (even more) Flexible" tool, expanding flexible booking options up to a 12-month window. They're also adding new flexible search categories including off the grid; ski-in, ski-out; luxe; and offbeat homes.
So, you can start planning next fall's leaf-peeping adventure to basically anywhere with trees, whether you want to stay in a Beyoncé-worthy mansion or a remote cottage where Wi-Fi is the last thing on your mind.
Confirmed accessibility
One major improvement to Airbnb is a new program designed to confirm the accessibility features described in a listing. Now, hosts are required to submit photos of listed accessibility features to be manually reviewed by a specialized team of Airbnb agents. According to the company, it has already confirmed the accuracy of 100,000 features in 25,000 homes.
This is in addition to other accessibility features Airbnb has implemented recently, including enhanced search filters, 1 on 1 messaging with hosts to discuss certain parts of a home or the experience, dedicated teams working to improve accessibility for travelers and more.
Trip organization
Another tool travelers will find handy is the redesign of Airbnb's "Trips" tab, where all of your already booked trip information lives. Updates here include a countdown clock to your arrival, check-in details, all current and upcoming reservations and personalized suggestions for Airbnb Experiences to go along with the journey.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.