anyone using Happy Guest? need feedback

Unfavorable reviews is a dealbreaker.

​@scotts, ​@peacefulwatersretreat, ​@AirBrindy, ​@Jeana D; are you maybe using Happy Guest? Donna is looking for feedback. 💜

​@donna; have you looked into the option of using Hospitable’s Security Deposits (more details)? 

If you want to talk here with someone from Happy Guest, you can tag them too (they are here in the Partner’s list):

​@Petra Podobnik  I have already met with Happy Guest twice. I’m trying to figure out if there’s a better option.

I need the following to be required for VRBO optional for Airbnb:

rental agreement

accidental damage insurance coverage

Required for both:

collect guest data

upsell early check in and late check out 

Why are those required for AirBnb, do they give a reason?

We are going live soon with Happy Guests. 3 out of our 4 listings already have a $500 security deposit requirement and we also purchase Waivo for every stay as extra protection. (We avoid having to deal with AirCover as much as possible.) We’re very happy with the quest quality since we implemented the deposit hold requirement (just a hold, not an actual charge). It’s a good deterrent to minimize bad guests. Happy Guests gives bookers an option of either purchasing an damage protection or opting for a security deposit. If you follow Happy Guests’ instructions to set things up, there are 3 areas in the Airbnb listing where you inform bookers of the requirements. We always remind the guests of booking requirements upon booking. If they cannot meet those requirements, they can cancel right away. Yes, many guests don’t read the listing details. For those who didn’t pay attention, once we explained the requirements disclosed in the listing, we never had a problem. We know of hosts who’re happy with Happy Guests. With any services, there are pros and cons. Book a call with them so you can evaluate the details. 

My understanding, from having a meeting with Happy Guest, is that if you use Happy Guest’s it is mandatory that guests sign an agreement through their platform. That doesn't work for me, so I am keen to see how the Hospitable Guest Portal comes along.

I’ve already had two calls. I was hoping to get feedback from those using the product.

Hi ​@Jeana D just checking in on how it’s going with Happy Guest? I’ve got a client where we have basically concluded that we want to mandate the purchase of a damage waiver. Possibly even charging it as a fee as part of the booking and purchasing the policy for them, to reduce the friction of getting it done. 

Still going well. Have been using them since Q4 last year. Haven’t had any issue. Their standard language they recommend is to have the guests opt in to pay directly for the waiver or a security deposit hold in the Happy Guest portal. And you can mark it up a bit as well. Schedule a demo call and they’ll walk you through the onboarding process. 

As a host with several smaller properties, this was the deal breaker for me regarding Happy Guest.  I already have rental agreements in place and occasionally will get pushback.  But once I explain to the guest that it is noted on the listing and what not, they have no issue signing.  Same as it relates to security deposits.  The ID check is another story/hoop that I’m not going to bother tackling.

Which part did you find a deal breaker regarding Happy Guest? I was doing all these myself but switched to Happy Guest to streamline the process so our guests can complete all 3 items in one place before getting door access. Happy Guests allow guests to only authorize a security deposit hold and avoid an actual charge. The choice of a sec. deposit hold vs. a waiver is what our guests appreciate, and we have guests who opted for both (def more for waivers). ID check is a must in our process. We’ve unfortunately had two incidents requiring us to vacate the guests due to major house rule violation. Each time, OTA directed us to contact law enforcement directly. In both cases, the sheriff’s first question was if we have a copy of the booker’s photo ID.

Happy Guest has two flows:

1. Requiring all 3 check-in steps (rental agreement, photo ID and security deposit hold OR a damage waiver) before door access is released and

2. Skipping all three but the host will purchase a damage waiver on the back-end for each booking. (So the guests are not asked to pay separately.)

We opted for flow 1. Because all these requirements are disclosed upfront in the listing, Airbnb pre-booking message and reinforced in the booking confirmation message, we rarely had any push-backs from the booker.