If you’ve never booked an Airbnb before, you probably have quite a few questions about the whole process of paying to sleep in strangers’ apartments. Not to worry, it’s really not that complicated. We’ve composed a detailed guide on booking an Airbnb the right way your first time.

Research the Area

One of the most important steps in booking an Airbnb is researching the area it’s located in. You want to make sure that it’s safe and close to your destinations. Some listings will claim to be “near downtown” but are actually quite a distance from it, proving to be inconvenient especially if you are planning on walking or taking transit. Airbnb will not post the exact address of the property until after you’ve confirmed your booking, but will give quite a specific area so that you know what you’re working with.

Reserve with Superhosts

Airbnb superhosts are hosts who have gone above and beyond expectations and are certified by Airbnb themselves. To become a superhost, they must meet these requirements:

• Have at least a 90% response rate
• Host at least 10 trips
• Receive a 5-star rating at least 80% of the time
• Complete each confirmed reservation without canceling

These hosts are truly reliable and have gleaming reviews from other guests. You can’t go wrong booking an Airbnb with them.

Save Money with “Special Offers”

Something that many don’t know when booking an Airbnb listing is that you can sometimes get special discounts off of the advertised price. You can try this out by clicking “Contact Host” instead of “Book” and messaging them to see if they’re open to offering you a discount. Make sure to introduce yourself and have a friendly conversation first before asking them to knock off a few percent off their price. If the host agrees, they will be able to send you a special offer that’s not seen on the website. You should use this method to its full advantage if you are planning an extended stay, or are booking last minute, as hosts try to fill any vacant dates.

Make Note of the Cancellation Policies

Airbnb has three different categories of cancellation policies:

• Flexible
• Moderate
• Strict

Each host has the option of choosing any one, and it will be displayed on the listing. Pay attention to this so that you aren’t surprised by any cancelation fees should you change your mind. This is extremely important, especially if you are booking your stay well in advance.

These tips will make your first experience with Airbnb a pleasant and impressionable one. Just remember to do your research and keep an open mind. Happy travels!