Instant Book and booking requests
Some listings confirm the moment you pay; others ask the host first. What each means and how long a request takes.
Instant Book
Listings marked Instant Book are confirmed the moment your payment goes through. You get your confirmation straight away and the host is told you are coming. Hosts choose to switch this on.
Booking requests
Everywhere else, you send a request with your dates, guests and a short message. Your card is not charged until the host accepts. Hosts are asked to answer within 24 hours; if a request is not answered in time it expires and nothing is charged.
While you wait
Your request holds the dates for you. You can send requests to more than one place, but only pay for one: once a request is accepted and paid, cancel any others you no longer need within the 24-hour grace period.
After confirmation
The exact address and the check-in details (lockbox codes, parking, Wi-Fi) are sent to you with your confirmation, and again the day before you arrive. Before confirmation, the listing shows the suburb and an approximate location only.