How to Resolve Unexpected Blocked Dates on Your Airbnb Calendar

As an Airbnb host, it's important to keep your calendar up-to-date and accurate, ensuring that guests can book your property for the desired dates. However, sometimes you may find unexpected blocked dates on your calendar that you don't recall blocking yourself. This issue has been reported by other hosts as well. In this tutorial, we'll guide you through the steps to identify and fix this problem, so you can keep your calendar in check and maximize your bookings.

Step 1: Check for Airbnb system updates

Airbnb frequently updates its platform to improve user experience and security. Sometimes, these updates may cause temporary glitches, including the unexpected blocking of dates. Before taking any action, verify if there's an ongoing system update or maintenance by checking Airbnb's official channels, such as the Help Center, Community Center, or social media pages.

Step 2: Review your calendar settings

Airbnb offers several settings that can automatically block dates on your calendar. To review and modify these settings, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Airbnb account.
2. Go to the Host section and select 'Listings'.
3. Choose the listing with the blocked dates.
4. Click on 'Availability' in the menu.
5. Check the following settings that may have caused the blocked dates:

Minimum and maximum nights: If you have set a minimum or maximum night requirement for bookings, the platform may automatically block dates that don't meet these criteria. Adjust the values to your preference.

Preparation time: If you have set a specific preparation time between bookings, Airbnb will block dates accordingly to give you enough time to prepare the space for the next guest. Review and adjust this setting as needed.

Advance notice: The advance notice setting determines how far in advance guests can book your property. If you have set a long advance notice period, this may cause some dates to be blocked. Adjust this setting to your preference.

Step 3: Sync external calendars (if applicable)

If you use external calendars to manage your bookings, it's essential to keep them in sync with your Airbnb calendar. Blocked dates may appear due to discrepancies between the calendars. To sync your external calendars, follow these steps:

1. Go to the 'Availability' section of your listing, as mentioned in Step 2.

2. Scroll down to the 'Sync Calendars' section.

3. Click on 'Import calendar' or 'Export calendar', depending on your needs.

4. Follow the prompts to sync your external calendar(s) with your Airbnb calendar.

Step 4: Contact Airbnb support

If the unexpected blocked dates persist after following the steps above, it's time to contact Airbnb support for assistance. Their team can help identify the cause and guide you in resolving the issue. You can reach them through the 'Help' section of the Airbnb website or app.

Unexpected blocked dates on your Airbnb calendar can be frustrating and may impact your bookings. By following this tutorial, you can identify and resolve the issue, ensuring that your calendar is accurate and up-to-date. This, in turn, will help you maximize your bookings and provide a seamless experience for your guests.