How to avoid double bookings between Airbnb and Booking.com

Why double bookings happen

Each listing site only knows about its own bookings. If a guest books your cottage on Airbnb, Booking.com has no idea unless something tells it. That “something” is calendar sync.

Step 1: Connect every calendar

Export the iCal link from each site and import it into one central calendar, then export that central calendar back to each site. Doing it through one hub means you only set it up once per site, instead of linking every site to every other site.

Step 2: Put direct bookings in the same place

Phone and WhatsApp bookings are a common cause of clashes because they never reach the listing sites. Enter them in your central calendar so they are published to every site.

Step 3: Mind the sync gap

Listing sites refresh iCal links on their own timetable, often every few hours. For stays starting within the next day or two, check your calendars before confirming.

• Consider a minimum notice period of one day on each site.
• Use “Sync now” after a last-minute booking.
• Block dates immediately when you take a direct booking.

If it happens anyway

Contact the guest who booked second as early as possible, offer an alternative if you have one, and follow the cancellation process of the site they booked through so your account stays in good standing.