Airbnb is dispatching inspectors to rate some of the properties listed on its home-rental service in an effort to reassure travelers they’re booking nice places to stay.
The Plus program, unveiled Thursday, is aimed at winning over travelers who aren’t sure they can trust the computer-driven system that Airbnb uses to assess the quality of rentals. Airbnb believes travelers will be willing to pay more for inspector-certified properties, allowing homeowners and apartment dwellers to recoup a $149 fee to participate in Plus.
The program will initially cover only about 2,000 properties in 13 cities — a small fraction of the roughly 4.5 million properties listed on Airbnb in 81,000 cities worldwide. By the end of the year, Airbnb foresees verifying the quality of 75,000 homes in 50 cities.
Latest Winter Olympics Headlines:
> Zagitova Wins Figure Skating Gold, Edges Medvedeva
> Karen Chen Frustrated, Disappointed With Olympic Results
> Mirai Nagasu Overcome With Tears, Joy Despite Solo Struggles
> Karen Chen Falters in Free Skate
> Tara Lipinski, Johnny Weir to Host Olympics Closing Ceremony
Viral Moments:
> Garlic Girls: South Korean Curler Strikes Gold, Becomes Meme
> Try Not to Laugh at Maame Biney's Bad Jokes
> Curling Gets the K-Pop Treatment
> Who Runs Team USA? Women
> Incredible Call Perfectly Captures Diggins' Historic Moment
Must-See Photos/Video:
> David Wise Celebrates With Kids, Wife: 'You Won!'
> Kevin Rolland Takes Terrifying Spill in Men's Halfpipe
> This Is What Karen Chen Does Before Every Performance
> #ColdPeopleOfPyeongChang: Fans Battle Frigid Temperatures
> Squaw Valley: Home of Olympians and Medalists
NorCal Athletes:
> Get to Know Your Northern California Athletes
> Bowman on Sochi Gold and Role as Mentor to Tahoe Youth
> Meet Fremont's Karen Chen, Ladies' Figure Skater
> Meet Bay Area Bobsledder Nick Cunningham
> Where's Garvin? Tracking Our Intrepid Reporter's Adventures
