Lauren Gumport was en route to a vacation on the island of Chios, Greece, in July, where she was set to stay in an Airbnb for five nights with her best friend.
But upon her arrival in Athens to connect to her flight to Chios, she received a WhatsApp message from someone stating that their dad owned the Airbnb property, but that they managed it. The son said they’d be out of town — and that their dad didn’t speak English — but that Gumport would still be able to check in with the dad.
Gumport, who works for the travel insurance company Faye, is no stranger to stories of travel mishaps. She sensed something was off but forged ahead with the Chios flight. When she arrived at the meeting spot near the Airbnb, no one was there.
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“It was hot and not in a touristy area, so it didn't feel great,” she says. “We were exhausted from the flights and just wanted to drop our bags, so that was frustrating.”
She had an international cell phone plan, so after 15 minutes of waiting for the owner, she called Airbnb customer service. An hour later, an Airbnb customer service agent finally offered to rebook them elsewhere. But with no other suitable Airbnb listings, Gumport declined the offer. Airbnb then offered to pay for two nights at a hotel.
“Airbnb didn't give any type of nightly cap on cost, and frankly the island didn't have a ton of options,” she said. “We found a great hotel and sent Airbnb the receipt.”
The two-night hotel stay came out to $443.50, and Gumport received a reimbursement from Airbnb to her bank account in a few days. Airbnb also refunded the $434.22 cost of her original five-night reservation.
As for the other three nights they were supposed to spend in Chios? Gumport took the opportunity to check out another Greek island, where she booked a last-minute stay.
![Staying at consistently well-reviewed properties is one way to avoid a host no-show when staying at a vacation rental.](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/63/f6314cd7-50a7-57a7-a007-6cd6d49cc9aa/668edbfb96204.image.jpg?resize=150%2C100 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/63/f6314cd7-50a7-57a7-a007-6cd6d49cc9aa/668edbfb96204.image.jpg?resize=200%2C133 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/63/f6314cd7-50a7-57a7-a007-6cd6d49cc9aa/668edbfb96204.image.jpg?resize=225%2C150 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/63/f6314cd7-50a7-57a7-a007-6cd6d49cc9aa/668edbfb96204.image.jpg?resize=300%2C200 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/63/f6314cd7-50a7-57a7-a007-6cd6d49cc9aa/668edbfb96204.image.jpg?resize=400%2C267 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/63/f6314cd7-50a7-57a7-a007-6cd6d49cc9aa/668edbfb96204.image.jpg?resize=540%2C360 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/63/f6314cd7-50a7-57a7-a007-6cd6d49cc9aa/668edbfb96204.image.jpg?resize=640%2C427 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/63/f6314cd7-50a7-57a7-a007-6cd6d49cc9aa/668edbfb96204.image.jpg?resize=750%2C500 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/63/f6314cd7-50a7-57a7-a007-6cd6d49cc9aa/668edbfb96204.image.jpg?resize=990%2C660 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/63/f6314cd7-50a7-57a7-a007-6cd6d49cc9aa/668edbfb96204.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C690 1035w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/63/f6314cd7-50a7-57a7-a007-6cd6d49cc9aa/668edbfb96204.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C800 1200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/63/f6314cd7-50a7-57a7-a007-6cd6d49cc9aa/668edbfb96204.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C889 1333w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/63/f6314cd7-50a7-57a7-a007-6cd6d49cc9aa/668edbfb96204.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C985 1476w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/63/f6314cd7-50a7-57a7-a007-6cd6d49cc9aa/668edbfb96204.image.jpg?resize=1763%2C1176 2008w)
Staying at consistently well-reviewed properties is one way to avoid a host no-show when staying at a vacation rental.
What happens if your host doesn't show up?
Gumport contacted Airbnb as soon as she realized her host wasn’t there and says Airbnb appropriately compensated her for the inconvenience.
“Luckily, my friend and I have traveled so much that when things go wrong, we just quickly pivot and laugh it off,” she said. “We stayed two nights in the other hotel, had a great time, then hopped on a ferry to Samos, Greece, for the rest of our trip.”
But not all vacation rental companies have robust customer support, and not all will be as generous with compensation. Plus, not all travelers will be able to pivot like Gumport.
And it’s not just vacation rental companies, like Airbnb or Vrbo, where ghosting is a risk. It’s a challenge facing the ever-growing list of peer-to-peer travel platforms. That includes RV rental companies like Outdoorsy or RVshare, and rental car companies like Turo. There’s also a boat equivalent called GetMyBoat.
Each company has its own set of policies to mitigate mishaps. Some immediately rebook the closest alternative, which can often entail an upgrade. If the owner of the Toyota you booked through Turo doesn't show up, the company might instead send a Tesla.
But even an upgraded Tesla might not come without some stress. Turo says you need to wait at least 30 minutes past the trip start time before you can contact customer support, according to a note on its help page. That’s 30 minutes you might be sitting on a curb in a foreign city, followed by the transport time hauling your bags to a different location once the company has found an alternative.
Also, the second option might not be exactly what you wanted. You may have to sacrifice features found in your initial vacation rental booking, like laundry or a kitchen, given the last-minute arrangement. Potential “upgrades” might not be much better, such as a larger car that just proves harder to park.
For what it’s worth, many sites that facilitate peer-to-peer rental services have increasingly cracked down on hosts who cancel reservations. In September 2023, vacation rental site Vrbo began instituting financial penalties for hosts. The amount of the fee is based on the overall cost of the listing, as well as how far out they cancel.
Have a plan in case you get ghosted
What if you make it to the check-in time and the host hasn’t canceled but also hasn’t materialized? Sometimes careful pre-trip research can't prevent ghosting, but backup plans during the trip are critical.
- Understand the booking company’s policies. For example, Airbnb promises to help rebook guests into a similar place if the host cancels, but the promise only applies to cancellations made by the host within 30 days of check-in. So, if the host cancels 31 days before Super Bowl Sunday for a home in the host city, good luck finding affordable alternative lodging.
- Carefully read the reviews and only book listings that have plentiful, positive reviews. Previous guests might offer insights into the host’s reliability and help indicate which rentals to skip.
- Have contact information handy for the host and customer support. Should you be abroad, consider purchasing an international phone plan or at least know where to find free Wi-Fi (such as train stations or cafes).
- Research nearby alternatives, including other available listings. Be prepared to be flexible and change plans if necessary.
- Take advantage of last-minute deals. Just as Gumport ferried to another Greek island for part of her stay, you could be similarly flexible. Hotels can often be cheaper when booked last minute anyway. Jamie Lane, chief economist at vacation rental data platform AirDNA, says the same holds true with lodging beyond hotels.
“Ask for last-minute deals,” Lane says. “Unbooked weeks or recent cancellations can lead to big discounts to fill open nights.”
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A look into the future of luxury air travel, from game-changing privacy to supersonic flights
A look into the future of luxury air travel, from game-changing privacy to supersonic flights
![A look into the future of luxury air travel, from game-changing privacy to supersonic flights](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1b01d90-6a78-5488-8ec7-585a3e8565ad/650395f645912.image.jpg?resize=150%2C107 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1b01d90-6a78-5488-8ec7-585a3e8565ad/650395f645912.image.jpg?resize=200%2C143 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1b01d90-6a78-5488-8ec7-585a3e8565ad/650395f645912.image.jpg?resize=225%2C160 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1b01d90-6a78-5488-8ec7-585a3e8565ad/650395f645912.image.jpg?resize=300%2C214 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1b01d90-6a78-5488-8ec7-585a3e8565ad/650395f645912.image.jpg?resize=400%2C285 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1b01d90-6a78-5488-8ec7-585a3e8565ad/650395f645912.image.jpg?resize=540%2C385 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1b01d90-6a78-5488-8ec7-585a3e8565ad/650395f645912.image.jpg?resize=640%2C456 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1b01d90-6a78-5488-8ec7-585a3e8565ad/650395f645912.image.jpg?resize=750%2C535 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1b01d90-6a78-5488-8ec7-585a3e8565ad/650395f645912.image.jpg?resize=990%2C706 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1b01d90-6a78-5488-8ec7-585a3e8565ad/650395f645912.image.jpg?resize=1010%2C720 1035w)
If the last time you flew first class was before 2010, you may not recognize it today.
That's thanks to a trend in which airlines have focused their investments on pricier cabins and rewarding high spenders over frequent or long-distance flyers, says Eric Rosen, director of travel content at The Points Guy.
Many of these upgrades have come a long way from the days when smoking was permitted on board, seatback entertainment was a futuristic dream, and passengers couldn't board without a paper boarding ticket. According to Rosen, the changes are also motivated by airlines that are in fierce competition with another to capture the burgeoning market of premier-class travelers.
This trend toward high-end amenities has resulted in more lavish options that truly up the game in high-altitude travel, so TravelPerk looked at some of the many innovations set to take off in luxury air travel.
Upgrading seats to private suites
![Upgrading seats to private suites](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/6b/26be71bf-8fb6-5c05-bdfe-909de54a1c73/650395f7c8e11.image.jpg?resize=150%2C107 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/6b/26be71bf-8fb6-5c05-bdfe-909de54a1c73/650395f7c8e11.image.jpg?resize=200%2C143 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/6b/26be71bf-8fb6-5c05-bdfe-909de54a1c73/650395f7c8e11.image.jpg?resize=225%2C160 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/6b/26be71bf-8fb6-5c05-bdfe-909de54a1c73/650395f7c8e11.image.jpg?resize=300%2C214 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/6b/26be71bf-8fb6-5c05-bdfe-909de54a1c73/650395f7c8e11.image.jpg?resize=400%2C285 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/6b/26be71bf-8fb6-5c05-bdfe-909de54a1c73/650395f7c8e11.image.jpg?resize=540%2C385 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/6b/26be71bf-8fb6-5c05-bdfe-909de54a1c73/650395f7c8e11.image.jpg?resize=640%2C456 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/6b/26be71bf-8fb6-5c05-bdfe-909de54a1c73/650395f7c8e11.image.jpg?resize=750%2C535 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/6b/26be71bf-8fb6-5c05-bdfe-909de54a1c73/650395f7c8e11.image.jpg?resize=990%2C706 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/6b/26be71bf-8fb6-5c05-bdfe-909de54a1c73/650395f7c8e11.image.jpg?resize=1010%2C720 1035w)
One of the most significant spaces where carriers are innovating is in the seats. Business-class seats or suites have begun to resemble—and in many cases have altogether replaced—first-class seats. Airlines that have kept first-class cabins have financed add-ons, designs, and services to differentiate them from business class and justify higher premiums, says Rosen.
Upcoming changes aboard Lufthansa's business and first-class seats confirm these shifts. Starting in 2024, first-class seats on Europe's largest carrier will be a separate double cabin, ceiling-high walls, a door one can close entirely, and two side seats that transform into a double bed. The suite will effectively resemble a mini hotel room, according to Lufthansa CEO Jens Ritter.
Beyond the curtain, Lufthansa's business seats will benefit from personal minibars, wardrobes, and sliding doors—that last one, Rosen says, is a "game changer." Though seemingly a small detail, sliding doors (or dividers) offer passengers the luxury of privacy, protecting them from the occasional bump from a passing attendant, noise from passing people, and a barrier from neighbors' food smells.
At Delta and Air France, such privacy measures are already in service and paired with lie-flat beds, which are also becoming increasingly popular for business seats.
On Qantas' long-haul flights starting in 2025, first-class tickets will take the door trend even further. The carrier will offer completely enclosed suites that can comfortably host two people. It includes a flexible work and dining space, a reclining armchair, and even personal storage with a full-length wardrobe.
Some airlines are even making premier offerings available to economy class. Two years ago, Air New Zealand announced "Skynests," lie-flat six-bed sleep pods available for an additional fee for passengers who have booked an economy class ticket. These beds will be available to book on ultra-long-haul flights starting September 2024, according to the latest update from the carrier. The exact prices are not yet determined, but it will likely cost passengers an extra $400 to $600 per four-hour period.
Adding convenience and perks
![Adding convenience and perks](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1bc4190-b1a1-58d3-964e-751b4e105a6a/650395f9a7c93.image.jpg?resize=150%2C107 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1bc4190-b1a1-58d3-964e-751b4e105a6a/650395f9a7c93.image.jpg?resize=200%2C143 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1bc4190-b1a1-58d3-964e-751b4e105a6a/650395f9a7c93.image.jpg?resize=225%2C160 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1bc4190-b1a1-58d3-964e-751b4e105a6a/650395f9a7c93.image.jpg?resize=300%2C214 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1bc4190-b1a1-58d3-964e-751b4e105a6a/650395f9a7c93.image.jpg?resize=400%2C285 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1bc4190-b1a1-58d3-964e-751b4e105a6a/650395f9a7c93.image.jpg?resize=540%2C385 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1bc4190-b1a1-58d3-964e-751b4e105a6a/650395f9a7c93.image.jpg?resize=640%2C456 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1bc4190-b1a1-58d3-964e-751b4e105a6a/650395f9a7c93.image.jpg?resize=750%2C535 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1bc4190-b1a1-58d3-964e-751b4e105a6a/650395f9a7c93.image.jpg?resize=990%2C706 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/1b/b1bc4190-b1a1-58d3-964e-751b4e105a6a/650395f9a7c93.image.jpg?resize=1010%2C720 1035w)
Many other amenities are zeroing in on the medley of anxieties plaguing flyers.
If you've got $1,500 to spare for a one-way flight, booking a ticket with BeOnd will allow you to fully recline on all 68 of their lie-flat seats, check in your bags from the comfort of home, fly in and out of private terminals at select destinations, and expedite immigration services. The Maldives-based carrier will start operations to select locations this fall.
Increased convenience is another major trend that follows in the footsteps of companies like JSX, a leader in short-haul luxury, private jet-like experiences with quick access and seamless travel. With a JSX ticket, you can skip the long lines, show up 20 minutes before a flight, and fly conveniently with a pet, says Fora Travel advisor Gaya Vinay.
The service would eliminate much of the logistical headache associated with air travel, transforming a flight into something as convenient and unbothered as an on-demand taxi.
If Alaska Airlines and British Airways' are successful in their trials of SkyLights' VR headsets in first-class cabins, travelers may be able to check out of the flying experience entirely by immersing themselves in cinematic experiences, guided meditations, and nature excursions.
Reimagining in-flight food
![Reimagining in-flight food](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/77/17720f3a-99d5-5b60-9ffc-253955c3ef20/650395fb2cf9b.image.jpg?resize=150%2C107 150w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/77/17720f3a-99d5-5b60-9ffc-253955c3ef20/650395fb2cf9b.image.jpg?resize=200%2C143 200w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/77/17720f3a-99d5-5b60-9ffc-253955c3ef20/650395fb2cf9b.image.jpg?resize=225%2C160 225w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/77/17720f3a-99d5-5b60-9ffc-253955c3ef20/650395fb2cf9b.image.jpg?resize=300%2C214 300w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/77/17720f3a-99d5-5b60-9ffc-253955c3ef20/650395fb2cf9b.image.jpg?resize=400%2C285 400w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/77/17720f3a-99d5-5b60-9ffc-253955c3ef20/650395fb2cf9b.image.jpg?resize=540%2C385 540w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/77/17720f3a-99d5-5b60-9ffc-253955c3ef20/650395fb2cf9b.image.jpg?resize=640%2C456 640w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/77/17720f3a-99d5-5b60-9ffc-253955c3ef20/650395fb2cf9b.image.jpg?resize=750%2C535 750w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/77/17720f3a-99d5-5b60-9ffc-253955c3ef20/650395fb2cf9b.image.jpg?resize=990%2C706 990w, https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mtstandard.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/77/17720f3a-99d5-5b60-9ffc-253955c3ef20/650395fb2cf9b.image.jpg?resize=1010%2C720 1035w)
Airlines are also going above and beyond to replicate the luxury that some of their clients are used to when it comes to culinary options.
In this realm, no airline is more practiced than Emirates Airlines. In August 2022, the Dubai-based carrier announced a $2 billion investment in their in-flight offerings, the perks of which now include unlimited caviar on first-class flights paired with Dom Pérignon vintage Champagne, Veuve Clicquot, and Moët & Chandon, which the carrier is exclusively permitted to serve in the sky.
Air France also continued its tradition of partnering with renowned chefs to create menus for their long-haul first- and business-class cabins. Until October 2023, Michelin-starred chefs Régis Marcon, Thierry Marx, and Meilleur Ouvrier de France pastry chef Philippe Urraca will collaborate on two eight-course menus.
Incorporating sustainability
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One other luxury carriers are courting is the luxury of a clear conscience by offering more sustainable flying options.
A quieter, greener, and more affordable supersonic flight is a prospect that Colorado-based Boom Supersonic hopes to bring to passengers starting in 2029. According to designs, the Overture airplane would travel at twice the speed of today's commercial jets thanks to a "contoured fuselage and gull wings for enhanced aerodynamic efficiency" Most importantly, it would do so using 100% sustainable aviation fuel.
In June 2021, United became the first U.S. airline to purchase 15 Overtures. When they debut in 2029, they'll be able to cut the seven-hour flight between New York City and London to just three hours and 15 minutes.
By the time Overture launches, Boom could see competition from French-based Airbus, which plans to take its hydrogen fuel cell aircraft on test flights by 2026. Liquid hydrogen fuel is also being tested in a collaboration between Rolls-Royce and EasyJet.
Given these forthcoming innovations in technology and amenities, there's no telling just how different flights will look in another decade.
This story originally appeared on TravelPerk and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.