With Ukraine under attack from Russia and over a million people already having fled from their homes there, why would anyone book a place to stay in Ukraine right now? Well, some people figured out it is a great way to help people in Ukraine right now.
Why People Are Booking Airbnb Stays in Ukraine Right Now
As the fighting continues in Ukraine, Airbnb has announced that they are now blocking reservations in Russia. On the flip side, they are waiving their fees for reservations in Ukraine.
It is that part that makes for an interesting way to help people that are still in Ukraine and may desperately need some funds right now. I first spotted this on Twitter, courtesy of my friend Dustin.
Genius. Who else is in for doing this too? pic.twitter.com/8oyG7Zg69q
— Chez Chesak (@ChrisChesak) March 3, 2022
That’s right, people are booking stays in Ukraine on Airbnb – with no intention whatsoever to stay there. This is helping those families who are still in Ukraine with incoming funds without having to actually host anyone (and really, no one is likely wanting to go stay in Ukraine right now anyway).
To help even more, Airbnb is waiving their fees for rentals in Ukraine so the money is going to go right to the hosts in Ukraine. But, how do you find legit places? Already there are reports of possible scammers popping up to take advantage of people’s desire to help.
According to various pieces of good advice from travelers doing this, here are some things to look for:
- Find Airbnb rentals with multiple reviews
- Contact the host and see if they are actually in Ukraine right now
- Filter for places that are shared spaces, not a whole house (this way, you have a better chance of actually supporting an individual instead of a corporate holding)
- Possibly avoid places that are with high rates
If you have the Capital One Venture X, that card comes with Airbnb credit so you could do this for free! If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can go ahead and use points to cover this Airbnb reservation after it posts at a rate of 1.5 cents per point (the same with the Chase Sapphire Preferred but for 1.25 cents per point).
A lot of people right now are trying to find ways to help those in need in Ukraine as well as those fleeing the country. This is a quick and easy way to do just that and you may even make a friend out of this, one that you possibly could even visit for real when this whole war is over.
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Terrible idea.
You know Ukraine is one of the most corrupt countries in the world? (In that regard, it’s quite similar to Russia.)
There’s research indicating most Airbnb hosts own 4+ listings. At the level of property management, concentration is even bigger. Even if the owner has just one or a few properties, he/she may elect to go with a property manager overseeing hundreds of listings.
Bottom line: Airbnb revenues tend to go to affluent people.
Besides: You are aware there are shortages in Ukraine of food, beverages, hygiene products, medicine and so on?
It may be meant-well, but donating through Airbnb is a terrible idea. You should give money to charitable organizations which have the logistical expertise required. Getting medicine through customs, distributing it in an environment with blown-up bridges, security check-points etc.
For some reasons, today’s young have mistrust of organizations and prefer grassroots structures. That may be well-intented, but it’s not thought through at all.