How to Handle Airbnb Early Check-In & Late Check-Out Requests

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Airbnb Early check-in and late check-out requests are among the most common challenges Airbnb hosts face. On one hand, you want to keep guests happy (and earn 5-star reviews). On the other hand, your cleaners need enough time for turnover, and you don’t want to rush them. What I have learned in my six years as an Airbnb superhost is that it is best to make no promises, but offer an “I’ll do my best.”

In this guide for Airbnb hosts, I’ll explain why your Airbnb guests ask, how these requests typically affect your cleaners, how to set boundaries, and when it makes sense to say yes! Managing expectations and providing great communication is key here.

Airbnb Early Check-In and Late Check-Out Requests 2026

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Airbnb Early Check-In & Late Check-out Requests

If you’ve been hosting on Airbnb for more than a week or two, chances are you’ve already gotten that message: “Hi, our flight gets in at 9 am — can we check in early?” or “We don’t fly out until 9 pm. Can we check out later in the afternoon?”

Of course, you want to be a great Airbnb host and accommodate, but if you are like me and trying to maximize your Airbnb profits, most of your turns are same-day, and there are several moving parts to consider before saying yes or no to these Airbnb early check-in and late check-out requests.

It’s important to know why guests ask, understand your workflow, and be knowledgeable about helpful solutions, including parking and luggage storage options.

Why Guests Ask for Early Check-In or Late Check-out At Your Airbnb

I know that these requests can be exhausting. However, guests usually aren’t trying to be difficult. Most requests come down to travel logistics.

These requests are often due to flight times, such as morning arrivals or late-night departures. Other times, it’s families with young kids hoping to get settled earlier or leave later due to nap schedules. Some are squeezing in a short trip and want to maximize vacation time. Other Airbnb guests are simply unaware of the logistics that take place and don’t realize how much turnover time you need between guests.

When you understand the why, it’s easier to respond in a kind and professional way. It also allows you to triage these requests because you can’t always accommodate them. Many times, I have had different groups of guests ask for a late check-out and an early check-in on the same day.

Handling these Airbnb early check-in and late check-out requests on a case-by-case basis allows you to offer a solution that best suits their needs.

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Setting Clear Check-In & Check-out Policies Upfront

It’s important to have a set Airbnb check-in and check-out policy that is clearly communicated from the start. You don’t want it to come across as negotiable. Of course, you will do your best to accommodate requests, but these are the terms and times they agree to when booking.

The easiest way to manage expectations is to be proactive in your listing and communication. Make sure to clearly state your check-in and check-out times in your Airbnb listing. Make sure to reiterate these times in your Airbnb House Manual.

A few days before arrival, I send my guests a message wishing them safe travels and saying the following.

For check-in, I will message you here DAY afternoon with your unique door code as soon as I get the notice from our cleaning company that the condo is ready for you. It will be no later than the 4 pm check-in time, but sometimes a little earlier, and you can head in as soon as you receive the code.

This way, most guests already know what to expect before they send a request. I always send the code as soon as it’s ready, which is why I do not like using automated messages, linking my smart locks to my Airbnb account, or setting exact times that lock codes are valid.

My basic workflow is that as soon as my cleaners tell me it’s ready, I make the code in my lock app and send it to my guest in a pre-saved message template. The whole thing takes under a minute, and I find it easier than having to go back and change times or adjust scheduled messages.

Guests appreciate having the code and being able to check in as soon as it’s ready. I would estimate that 50% of my guests are in the area, waiting to check in on the day of arrival. We often our when we are traveling as a family!

How to Respond to Airbnb Early Check-In Requests & Late Check-out Requests

Even with clear policies and proactive communication, these Airbnb early check-in and late check-out requests will still happen.

My personal policy is that I never guarantee anything. I always acknowledge their requests and attempt to do my best. My main concern is respecting my relationship with my cleaning company. They are often very busy, with teams in various locations throughout the day, strategizing routes for optimal effectiveness. Special requests can wreak havoc on their day-to-day operations.

Also, promising a very early check-in or an extra late check-out well in advance often means that the nights before and after a stay are essentially unbookable. Even if you have an empty night prior to arrival, your previous guest could decide and ask to book an extra night. Or, you could get a last-minute booking or need to use that day for maintenance.

There are even times when my cleaners find something missing or broken. I need that extra time to secure replacement items. To help avoid this, here are 16 Airbnb Basics That I Buy Multiple Of just to be safe!

Here are some scenarios and message examples that I use in my Airbnb messaging.

Airbnb Early Check-In Requests

Here is exactly what my saved message says for early check-in requests at my Airbnb rental properties.

So, regarding an early check-in, sometimes our cleaners are done earlier in the afternoon, and I always send the code and let you know it’s ready as soon as they text me. I just can’t promise an early check-in, as it depends on how busy they are that particular day and when they are in our area. But I will absolutely pass on the request and do my best to get you in there as soon as I can.

Then, in case I can’t provide early access, I offer personalized solutions tailored to their request. If they have a car, I suggest another nearby community that they should stop in for lunch. If they have luggage, I recommend a couple of options for luggage storage nearby.

In many places, Bounce Luggage Storage is a great option. You can even use your referral code to send to your guests. They will save $5, and you can earn $5 credit. Here is my Bounce refer-a-friend code!

Or, I recommend a lunch place that I know has room for luggage.

At this point, if they are asking for a very early check-in, I often recommend that they book the night before. Depending on the time of year, I usually discount that night on my Airbnb calendar, and it’s often quite affordable for guests to add it on. This guarantees them a full first day, which is typically their goal.

What About When The Night Before Is Empty The Day Before Arrival?

There is one situation where I do like to go above and beyond. At our short-term rentals, we do not allow single-night stays, so if it’s mid-day or the evening prior to a check-in, and our Airbnb is clean and ready to go, then I often send my guests a quick message. This message says something along the lines of:

Hello! I just wanted to let you know that our condo is empty tonight, and it’s already clean and ready for you. I plan to send your code tomorrow morning. So, I just wanted to give you a heads-up in case it helps with planning! Safe travels!

Often, guests are very appreciative, and it helps take some of the edge off a busy travel day. If they are driving in, they may get an earlier start to enjoy more of their trip.

Airbnb Late Check-Out Requests

Likewise, I do not promise these, either. My policy is to ask my cleaners the afternoon before check-out. This way, they know their routes and schedules for the following day and can give me an accurate response. Plus, I am not expecting them to manage numerous future requests or promise things in advance.

Here is exactly what I send my guests:

Hello! So, for the late check-out request, my cleaners allow me to send those the evening before check-out when they have their routes and schedules for the following day. Sometimes, they can give me an extra hour, and on occasion, two hours. I can make a note to reach out to them if you would like me to!

A message like this helps set expectations that I may be able to give a little extra time, but not all day. And, I can’t make any promises in advance. If they want an evening check-out, I again recommend that they book the additional night.

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Should You Charge a Fee For Airbnb Early Check-Ins & Late Check-outs?

Every host is different, but I don’t. If you are cleaning your own rentals, it’s often easier to offer something like an extra $10 per hour on an early check-in to compensate yourself for the added logistics.

However, in most cases, it’s better, and you earn more gratitude from your Airbnb guests, when you allow them in early when possible. This is not somewhere that I personally feel comfortable or worthwhile trying to upsell.

Why My Strategy Works

My goal as an Airbnb host is always to work smarter, not harder. If you have read my post Protecting Your Three 3Ps: Property, Profits, & Peace, you know how important it is to set boundaries and streamline your workflow.

The biggest danger of always saying yes to special requests is compromising your cleaning time. Rushed turnovers can lead to mistakes, which can hurt your reviews more than saying no politely. I don’t ever want my cleaners rushing to get out of one of our rentals before they are done cleaning.

While it’s not always possible, I am usually able to give my guests some sort of early check-in or late check-out. Knowing that I am trying to accommodate their requests in real time goes a long way toward helping them see that I care. This, in turn, enables you to earn those 5-star reviews.

It’s better for guests to see and feel that you are doing your best rather than being rigid with non-flexible policies. This is key to your Airbnb guest experience.

Do You Feel Better Prepared To Handle Airbnb Early Check-In & Late Check-out Requests?

These Airbnb early check-in and late check-out requests are a normal part of Airbnb hosting. They are unavoidable, and you could drive yourself (and your cleaners) crazy trying to juggle future requests.

With the right policies, message templates, and a clear system for handling these situations, you can keep guests happy and protect your Airbnb hosting workflow.

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