Why Do Airbnb Calendar Synchronization Issues Occur?
Hostaway integrates with Airbnb to manage reservations and calendar availability. However, issues such as blocked dates, incorrect settings, or synchronization errors can occasionally arise due to the way information is managed across both platforms. Below, we explain the common causes of these issues and provide step-by-step resolutions for each.
Common Causes and Resolutions
1. Blocked Dates Due to Reservations
Blocked dates often occur when a reservation is still considered "active" by Airbnb, even if a guest has departed early. Hostaway cannot override this status as it relies on Airbnb to determine calendar availability.
Resolution:
- Modify the reservation on Airbnb to reflect the early departure. You can either request the guest to shorten their reservation or reach out to Airbnb support to make this change.
- Once the reservation is updated on Airbnb, Hostaway will automatically sync the calendar and make the dates available.
Note: Hostaway cannot manually open blocked dates.
2. Issues with Transferred Reservations
When a reservation is manually transferred between listings in Hostaway, the synchronization link with Airbnb for that specific booking is lost. As a result, Hostaway cannot update or unblock calendar dates for the new listing.
Resolution:
Unfortunately, dates that remain blocked due to a manually transferred reservation cannot be updated in Hostaway. To avoid such restrictions, always ensure reservations are managed within the same listing.
3. Minimum Stay Settings Misconfiguration
Sometimes, Airbnb may default your settings (e.g., minimum stay requirements) to unintended values if they are not correctly configured on the appropriate level. For example, setting minimum stay rules at the listing level instead of the calendar level can override your intended configuration.
Resolution:
- Navigate to the calendar in your Airbnb account.
- Set your minimum stay requirements directly on the calendar to ensure they are applied to specific dates or weekends.
This approach ensures the correct settings are applied consistently.
General Troubleshooting Guide
If you encounter synchronization or calendar-related issues:
- Verify the reservation details on Airbnb and make any required updates there.
- Ensure that your settings, such as minimum stay requirements, are configured at the correct level (calendar or listing).
- Perform a manual sync between Hostaway and Airbnb to refresh the connection.
- Avoid manually transferring reservations between listings to prevent loss of synchronization.
FAQs About Airbnb Calendar Issues
Why can't I manually unblock dates on Airbnb through Hostaway?
Hostaway relies on Airbnb's calendar data. Any blocked dates result from Airbnb’s reservation rules and cannot be overridden by Hostaway.
Can I modify a reservation directly through Hostaway to unblock dates?
No, modifications to reservations impacting dates must occur on Airbnb. Hostaway will sync changes automatically after Airbnb updates the reservation.
What should I do if my calendar settings are not being applied?
First, ensure your settings are configured at the calendar level in Airbnb for specific dates. Avoid relying solely on listing-level configurations to prevent unintended overrides.