Superhost Perks Explained: What You Really Get (and What’s Overhyped)
Becoming an Airbnb Superhost is like earning your stripes in the hosting world. The badge feels good. But what are the actual, behind-the-scenes benefits, and which perks are mostly marketing fluff? As someone who’s held Superhost status for most of my nine-year Airbnb journey, I’ve seen both sides: real wins and inflated expectations. Let’s pull back the curtain.
The very first perk of hosting on Airbnb that I am so excited to share with you – and you don’t even have to be a Superhost – is being able to participate in a very cool program called Hostshare. I signed up a couple of weeks ago after I took my family on a trial 8772 night trip to a 4 bedroom waterfront home in Moses Lake, WA. Read more about our great experience in my other article, “Hostshare: The Secret Hack STR Hosts (and Their Dogs) Will Thank You For.” (spoiler: I only had to pay a $200 cleaning fee. If I had booked normally through Airbnb, I would have paid $1700).
It’s been a dream of mine to be able to take friends and family on vacations, and now that I only have to pay a cleaning fee, it’s totally a reality. In fact, I am currently planning another trip for the end of October, and I can’t tell you how cool it was to tell my extended family “it’s my treat.” As a member now, I can give you a 50% discount on your yearly membership! It costs less than you think. Visit the Hostshare site here and check out the various Airbnbs you will be able to book. Seriously, I am so excited I found this program.
Ok, on to the perks that come directly from Airbnb when you are a Superhost!
What Airbnb Officially Says You Get
According to Airbnb and host reporting, Superhosts receive a bundle of perks and advantages if they meet the criteria. These are the key things Airbnb claims Superhosts get:
- More visibility / priority in search results and filters.
- A Superhost badge on the listing and profile, which builds guest trust.
- Potential for higher booking rates and income, thanks to the above plus better reviews and guest confidence.
- Exclusive rewards: travel coupons or credits, bonus referral income, sometimes early access to new features.
- Priority / faster customer support in Airbnb’s interface when issues arise.
What Hosts Say: The Real Impact (Good & Meh)
Here are real comments and feedback from hosts about the ways Superhost status has made a difference, and where it’s fallen short.
| Perk | Host Experiences That Love It | Host Critiques / Things That Are Overhyped |
|---|---|---|
| Increased visibility / search ranking | One host in Reddit said: “We got higher-priced bookings take place. Once I got the Superhost title, I saw a lot more people booking those same days for those expensive prices.” (Reddit) Another said views increased after regaining the badge. | But it’s not guaranteed. A rural host reported “fewer views now that I have become a Superhost” and believes other factors (season, location) still dominate. (Reddit) Some say the search boost is subtle and inconsistent. |
| Higher earnings / ability to charge premium | Many hosts confirm they can raise nightly rates a bit once guests see the Superhost badge, because it gives confidence. Some reported increased occupancy after status. (Reddit) | Others say the difference is small. For hosts with naturally good reviews and excellent amenities, Superhost is less the tip that brings bookings than being in a hot location, with fully booked seasons already. Also, in some markets, guests don’t use the Superhost filter much. (Reddit) |
| Priority support / faster problem resolution | A host who suffered a gas-leak report said that when they held Superhost status, customer service was “a breeze,” more helpful and sympathetic. (Reddit) It’s that feeling that you are taken more seriously when issues arise. | Some hosts say they still feel support response time is mediocre; the “priority” doesn’t always feel dramatic. Also, Airbnb is large and stretched; sometimes “priority” means “a little less waiting.” |
| Travel coupon / referral bonuses / rewards | $100/year travel coupon is a small extra perk many hosts appreciate. Referral bonuses are nice if you refer new hosts. | Some hosts feel the travel credit is nominal vs. the price you pay in effort to maintain high rating, fast responses, no cancellations, etc. Also, coupons sometimes expire or disappear (according to host complaints). (Airbnb Community) |
| Psychological and reputation benefits | Many hosts say the Superhost badge gives credibility, helps in bookings when guests compare listings. It also motivates them to maintain high standards. “I listen to feedback along the way and improved my listing incrementally.” (Reddit) | But some say it’s stressful: the fear of losing status can cause burnout (e.g. doing lots of small extras). Also, in some places, guests don’t even notice or care. |
Regional Differences: US vs EU vs Asia
Perks (both real and perceived) can vary depending on where you host. Things like guest behavior, how many people use filters, how competitive your market is, and Airbnb’s own regional policies all matter.
| Region | What’s Stronger / More Noticeable | What’s Less Strong / Overhyped |
|---|---|---|
| United States | The Superhost badge tends to help more in saturated markets; many guests expect high ratings, quick responses. Support lines seem faster. The travel coupon and referral bonuses work reliably. | In less touristy or rural US areas, Superhost status sometimes doesn’t move the needle much. The boost in booking may be small. Also, support may still lag depending on time of day / region. |
| Europe | Reputation / trust cues are strong. Guests in many EU countries are more likely to use status icons or badges when booking. Being Superhost can help in markets where regulation or license requirements mean not every host is high quality. | The $100-coupon value tends to be less useful where Airbnb’s pricing is different or currency/rate changes make it minimal. Also, local taxes, regulations, and platform competition (with Booking.com, Expedia, etc.) may reduce the incremental advantage. |
| Asia / Pacific | In some markets (Japan, Australia, Southeast Asia), status and badges are culturally important — guests may value professionalism and trust cues strongly, so Superhost can tip someone who’s choosing between similar listings. | But sometimes, issues like infrastructural constraints (internet speed, service, etc.) or local guest expectations trump the badge. Also, seeing or using the Superhost filter may be less common in certain app versions or countries. It depends heavily on platform penetration and local guest behavior. |
What Really Makes a Difference (vs What’s Just Nice to Have)
From my own experience (nine years hosting, being Superhost almost always), here’s what I’ve found really moves the needle (and what tends to be more fluff).
What Makes a Real (Tangible) Difference
- Maintaining high review scores — consistently cleaning well, being responsive, accurate listing photos. These underlie almost every forward benefit.
- Fast response times — I treat Airbnb messages like priority texts. Guests see it and feel confident. Missed early messages lose bookings more than days of rating.
- Zero/near-zero cancellations — once or twice allowed for emergencies, but frequent cancellations kill your trust and your status.
- Accurate photos and descriptions — avoiding mismatches helps avoid bad reviews.
- Investing in hospitality — small touches plus realistic expectations. For me, providing good linens, great wi-fi, prompt issue management. These lead guests to leave better reviews, which reinforce all the perks.
What’s Overhyped / Marginal
- The $100 travel credit: it’s nice, but feels small compared to effort required.
- Belief that simply having the badge dramatically raises rates overnight. Usually more modest rate bumps, depending on location.
- Expectation that “priority support” will solve all emergencies faster. Sometimes yes, sometimes not.
- Assuming Superhost status guarantees full calendar. Demand, location, season, amenities, and photos still matter a lot. You can’t rely on the badge alone.
My Personal Take: Why I’ve Held Superhost (Mostly) and What’s Motivated Me
Toot my own horn: I’ve been Superhost in all but the first quarter of my Airbnb career (nine years now). Since then, I’ve focused on consistency, and for me, the Superhost status is icing on the cake. Hospitality comes naturally to me, and I enjoy it.
What I did (that I think helped most):
- Made communication fast (even simple responses to inquiries)
- Exceeded guest expectations in small, memorable ways (welcome snacks, good coffee)
- Avoided cancellations completely
- Asked early for reviews with a polite message (“I hope you enjoyed your stay — your feedback helps me keep improving!”)
- Prioritized cleanliness
I don’t count on Superhost alone. My (professional) photos, guest service, consistent upgrades, and un-wavering cleanliness have mattered more over time.
Should You Chase Superhost? When It’s a Good Use of Energy
Based on everything I’ve seen, here’s when going all-in for Superhost makes sense (and when you might want to focus elsewhere).
Go for it if you:
- Host regularly (enough stays that meeting criteria is realistic every quarter).
- Operate in a competitive or high-expectation market (tourist area, major cities, high guest volume).
- Already get many reviews and have good ratings (means less incremental work to hit the thresholds).
- Care about growth, repeat guests, and long-term credibility.
Maybe don’t stress as much if you:
- Host sporadically or only a few nights here and there. The effort might outweigh the visible benefits.
- Are in a market where guests don’t care much about badges, or competition is low.
- If your listing has unique features or location advantages that guests often prioritize more than ratings or badges.
Final Thoughts
Superhost status absolutely comes with real perks: better visibility, guest trust, a nicer support experience, and small financial bonuses. But it’s not a magic bullet. Just because you’re a Superhost doesn’t mean your nights will always be booked. There are many moving parts (amenities, photos, pricing, seasonality, guest preferences) that impact your overall listing.
If I could give one piece of advice from my 9 years: treat Superhost like a marathon, not a sprint. Show up consistently, respond quickly, avoid cancellations, and aim for being squeaky clean constantly. The badge will follow, and with it, many of the perks – though a few will always feel a little over-promised. But all in all? Definitely worth striving for.
