Who doesn’t love snagging an amazing Airbnb, especially when it’s a unique find? When I’m booking my trips to Bali, I’ve got a little trick up my sleeve to find the best possible deal.
My secret? I bet on property owners (or their management teams) listing their spots across multiple platforms. This could include other Airbnb alternatives, Booking.com, or even the villa’s own website. My goal is to sniff out a better price than what’s on Airbnb, or at least confirm that Airbnb genuinely has the lowest rate.
Here’s how you can try this too:
- Check for a Property Name: If the listing has a specific name (like ‘Villa Serenity’ or ‘The Bali Hideaway’), simply google it!
- Reverse Image Search: No name? No worries! Use Google Lens (in Chrome browser) or a reverse image search website (like TinEye or even Google Images’ reverse search function) on the listing photos. This often reveals the same property listed elsewhere.
Ready to explore the world without breaking the bank? Come along on my travel savings journey! Subscribe to my newsletter and let’s discover amazing deals together.
How to find a cheaper ‘AirBNB’
Once you find matching listings, pop in your travel dates and compare the prices. You might just uncover a sweet deal! Let me walk you through a step-by-step example…
Step 1
First, head over to Airbnb in your Chrome browser and find an accommodation you like. Enter your preferred dates, and make sure to note down the total price shown.
Step 2
Next up, pick any image from the Airbnb listing, right-click on it, and choose “Search image with Google Lens.” This is your detective tool to find that same image (and hopefully the property!) on other booking sites. If your initial search doesn’t show any matches, don’t give up – try using Google Lens on a couple of other distinct photos from the listing.
Step 3
The search results should now populate with images that match your accommodation listing, or very similar ones. It’s crucial to confirm you’ve found the identical property – check for it on various booking platforms like Booking.com, other rental sites, or even a direct villa website. Open these alternative listings, input the same dates, and then cross-reference their prices against the original Airbnb price you noted.
Step 4
- First alternative found: Marriott Homes & Villas can be a fantastic choice, especially if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member. For this particular stay, without logging into my account, the price displayed was US$804 (approximately A$1,254.17). While this appears more expensive, it’s worth noting I wasn’t signed in, which might have affected the pricing.
- My next stop was Booking.com, and this is where the magic happened! Signed into my Genius account, I found the exact same villa for just A$1,015. This was a fantastic alternative to my original Airbnb price, translating into a brilliant A$139 in savings – all in just about five minutes of searching!
In just about five minutes of searching, I was able to pocket an extra AU$140. Imagine what you could save with a little more digging! This simple trick alone can uncover significant discounts. Keep exploring and see what works best for you. Don’t forget that Booking.com often sweetens the deal with cashbacks or free cancellation options, which can add even more value than an Airbnb booking.
Another alternative is to try and find the direct website of the property or the owner’s contact information. Reaching out to them directly might open the door for a further discount. However, it’s crucial to be aware that booking directly outside of major platforms may mean you forgo certain protections or insurance. This is entirely at your discretion – if the savings are substantial, it might just be a risk worth considering!
Was this trick useful? I sure hope you found some amazing savings! Drop a comment below to share your success – I love hearing about your wins. Happy travels, everyone! And be sure to hit that subscribe button so you’re always first in line for my latest tutorials and unbeatable deals. Thanks for stopping by, see you soon!
Did this post make your travel planning easier? Show your appreciation by buying Trip Deals Dan a coffee! Your support keeps the travel inspiration flowing. Thank you!
