Kevin Musprett
Co-founder & CEO
Jan 9, 2026 – 6 MIN
Airbnb Automated Messages: How to Set Them Up (Plus Templates You Can Copy)
If you’re still typing the same answers every week, check in time, address, parking, wifi, checkout, Airbnb already gives you a way to automate a big chunk of that.
Airbnb calls these ‘scheduled quick replies’. Most hosts refer to them as airbnb automated messages.
Same idea where you write the message once, and Airbnb sends it automatically when something happens (like a booking, check-in, or checkout).
This guide walks you through:
- what to set up (so you don’t annoy guests),
- how to set it up (click-by-click),
- and message templates you can copy and tweak for your place.
What Airbnb “automated messages” actually are
Quick replies vs scheduled quick replies (and where AI automation fits)
Airbnb has three related tools inside Messages:
- Quick replies
Short saved templates you send manually when a guest asks something common (wifi, directions, early check-in). - Scheduled quick replies (Airbnb automated messages)
The same templates, but set to send automatically based on triggers like a new reservation, check-in, or checkout. - Suggested quick replies (AI automation)
Airbnb may suggest one of your saved quick replies based on what the guest asked. You still review/edit before sending.
If your goal is “less typing, same hospitality,” scheduled quick replies are the place to start. And if your goal is to fully automate guest messages you can do that with an airbnb automation tool.
Before you automate anything, fill these listing details first
Airbnb’s templates can autoinsert “details” (placeholders) like guest name, address, directions, wifi name/password, house rules, check-in time, checkout time, and more. If those fields are missing in your listing, the message can show as unavailable or fail to populate correctly.
Do this first (10 minutes, once per listing):
- Confirm address + directions are complete
- Confirm wifi name + password are accurate
- Confirm check-in time + checkout time
- Make sure house rules are updated
- Add anything you want referenced often (parking notes, access instructions, guidebook link)
This one step prevents most automation mistakes.
How to set up Airbnb automated messages (step by step)
Desktop setup (most straightforward)
Airbnb’s help docs outline the desktop flow like this:
- Go to Messages
- Click Settings
- Click Quick replies
- Click Create
- Name the template
- Write the message + insert the “details” you want
- Choose what listing(s) it applies to
- Turn on scheduling and choose when it should send
- Click Save
That’s it. You now have an Airbnb automated message.
Mobile setup (quick path)
On mobile, Airbnb describes a flow where you:
- go to Messages,
- tap the settings icon,
- then manage quick replies and schedule them for specific moments (e.g., minutes after booking, or a day before check-in at a certain time).
If you can’t find the exact menu label, look for: 1. Messages 2. Settings (gear icon) 3. Quick replies / manage quick replies.
How to set up Airbnb automated messages (step by step)
You can automate a lot, but you don’t need a complicated system to get 80% of the benefit.
Start with these 7:
- Instant booking confirmation (reassurance + next steps)
- Pre-arrival (48–72 hours before) (what they need to know before traveling)
- Day-of check-in (access, parking, quick reminders)
- First-night check-in (“everything ok?” reduces complaints later)
- Mid-stay touchpoint (optional: support + upsell hook if you do upsells)
- Night before checkout (checkout steps + timing)
- Post checkout thank you + review request (timed, polite, short)
Airbnb recommends automating messages around key moments like shortly after booking, before check-in, day of check-in, first day of stay, and after checkout.
Copy paste Airbnb automated message templates (by stage)
These are written to feel human, short sentences, clear structure, and one “warm” line without sounding fake.
1) Booking confirmation (send immediately)
Subject (optional): Booking confirmed, quick next steps
Hi {Guest First Name}, thanks for booking.
A couple quick notes so everything’s smooth:
- Check-in: {Check-in time} (or anytime after)
- Checkout: {Checkout time}
- Address + directions: {Directions / Address}
When you have a moment, reply with:|
- your approximate arrival time, and
- whether you’re driving (so I can share parking details).
Looking forward to hosting you.
Why this works: it gets the only two inputs you actually need, and it sets expectations without sounding like a policy document.
2) Pre-arrival (send 2–3 days before check-in)
Hi {Guest First Name}, your trip is coming up.
Here’s what you’ll want handy:
- Address: {Address}
- Directions: {Directions}
- Parking: {Parking notes
- Wifi: {Wifi name} / {Wifi password}
If anything changes with your arrival time, just message me here.
3) Day-of check-in (send morning of check-in)
Hi {Guest First Name}, happy check in day.
Quick reminders:
- Check in is after {Check in time}
- Access instructions: {Check in instructions}
- If the lock is slow, wait for the deadbolt to fully turn before pulling the door
If you run into any issues at the door, message me with a photo of what you’re seeing and I’ll help quickly.
(That last line reduces messy back-and-forth when guests are stressed.)
4) First-night check (send 2 – 4 hours after check in time)
Hi {Guest First Name}, just checking in.
Did everything go smoothly with check-in and is the place as expected? If you need anything (extra towels, heating/AC help, wifi), message me here.
5) Mid-stay (optional; send day 2 for longer stays)
Hi {Guest First Name}, hope you’re enjoying the stay.
If you’d like a mid-stay refresh (fresh towels / quick clean), let me know and I’ll share options.
If you don’t offer this, turn it into a simple support message and keep it neutral.
6) Checkout reminder (send evening before checkout)
Hi {Guest First Name}, quick checkout reminder for tomorrow.
- Checkout is by {Checkout time}
- Please: {Top 3 checkout steps}
(Example: “start dishwasher, place used towels in the bathroom, lock the door behind you”)
Safe travels, and thank you again for staying.
Airbnb’s examples include using details like checkout date/time and confirmation code if you want them included.
7) Post-checkout (send 24 – 48 hours after checkout)
Hi {Guest First Name}, thanks again for staying.
If you have a moment, I’d appreciate a quick review. It really helps small hosts like us. If anything wasn’t perfect, reply here so I can fix it.
Short, calm, and not begging too much.
Last-minute bookings: stop Airbnb from skipping your messages
This is where many hosts think automation “doesn’t work.”
Airbnb states that for last-minute bookings or short stays, some scheduled messages may be skipped by default. There’s a toggle (wording may vary) that lets you send for last-minute bookings and short stays so messages won’t be skipped, they may send immediately at booking time if the scheduled trigger has already passed.
Practical setup:
- For booking confirmation and day of check in, turn the toggle ON.
- For anything informational that becomes irrelevant (e.g. “2 days before check-in”), decide case by case.
How to review, edit, or skip a scheduled message for a specific reservation
Good automation isn’t “set and forget.” It’s “set and control.”
Airbnb provides a timeline view inside each guest thread where you can see messages that were sent/skipped and what’s coming next. You can edit, skip, or send early for a specific reservation, without changing the master template.
A simple weekly habit if you manage multiple listings:
- Scan arrivals for the next 1 to 2 days
- Open each thread’s scheduled message timeline
Edit anything that needs context (construction nearby, special access note, etc.)
Common mistakes (and how to avoid sounding like a bot)
Mistake 1: Overloading one message with everything
Guests don’t read walls of text. Keep messages single purpose. Airbnb also notes quick replies work best when brief and focused.
Mistake 2: Missing details (placeholders)
If your listing details aren’t filled in, placeholders can show as unavailable or not populate correctly.
Mistake 3: Timing that feels robotic
Don’t schedule a “How’s everything?” message at 8:00am. Send it a few hours after check in time.
Mistake 4: Copying generic templates that don’t match your property
One line of specificity makes it sound human:
- “Parking is tight on Fridays, aim for the marked bay nearest the gate.”
- “If you’re taking an Uber, use the rear entrance on Hill St.”
Mistake 5: Automating sensitive decisions
Automation is great for facts and steps. Be careful with:
- refunds,
- disputes,
- damage claims,
- safety issues.
Use automation to acknowledge and collect info, then hand off.
When Airbnb automation isn’t enough (multi-channel reality)
Airbnb automation helps inside Airbnb. However, the moment guests also reach you via SMS, WhatsApp, email, or phone, you’re back to juggling threads and context.
That’s typically when teams move from “Airbnb only automation” to a unified guest inbox approach where:
- one place holds all guest messages,
- replies stay consistent wherever you guest messages you,
- and you can still control what gets sent automatically.
If that’s your situation, this is where a tool like Boring Host for 247/ AI automation for short term rentals fits (unified inbox + safe ai automation), alongside your PMS and existing guest message channels.
FAQs
Does Airbnb have automated messages?
Yes. Airbnb supports automated messaging via scheduled quick replies triggered by events like booking, check-in, and checkout.
Why did my scheduled message get skipped?
Airbnb notes that last-minute bookings or short stays can cause some messages to be skipped by default unless you enable the “send for last-minute bookings and short stays” toggle.
Do scheduled messages send in the guest’s time zone?
Airbnb states scheduled quick replies are sent in the listing’s time zone.
Can I change a message for one guest without changing my template?
Yes, Airbnb’s timeline view allows you to edit/skip/send early for a specific reservation
Kevin Musprett
Co-founder & CEO
Jan 9, 2026 – 6 MIN
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