How to Become a Superhost on Airbnb: A Step-by-Step Guide

Wondering how to become a Superhost on Airbnb? You’re not alone. With over 5 million hosts and 7 million listings worldwide, standing out in Airbnb’s short-term rental market is tough. But many hosts have found a proven way to rise above the noise — by earning the Superhost status.

Of course, it’s not as simple as just getting great reviews. If it were, every host would have it. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to go from a good host to a top-performing one, and how to stay ahead in this competitive space.

With Hostex, you can automate up to 70% of your daily hosting tasks, making it much easier to meet Airbnb’s Superhost standards. Best of all, it starts at just $4.9 per month.

What is an Airbnb Superhost?

The Airbnb Superhost program is designed to highlight and reward their best-performing hosts. It isn’t just about adding a shiny badge to your short-term rental listing; it signals that you consistently deliver outstanding guest experiences and manage your listing with professionalism.

Becoming an Airbnb Superhost is a strong indicator of your hosting quality. It builds trust, boosts your listing’s visibility, and helps attract more bookings. In short, it’s a powerful way to grow your vacation rental business.

How to Become a Superhost on Airbnb?

There’s no need to apply for Superhost status manually. If you meet the criteria, Airbnb will automatically upgrade your status. Reviews are conducted every quarter based on your performance over the past year (even if you haven’t hosted the entire year).

Here are the four key requirements:

1. Complete at least 10 bookings

You must complete a minimum of 10 bookings within the past year.

If your listings are mainly for long-term stays, you can still qualify by completing at least 3 bookings totaling 100 nights.

This requirement shows that you’re an active host with consistent demand and relevant hosting experience.

2. Maintain a response rate of 90% or higher

Timely communication is critical. Airbnb expects Superhosts to respond to 90% or more of guest messages within 24 hours.

According to AirDNA, around 26% of hosts fail to reach Superhost status due to poor response rates.

To stay responsive without burning out, consider using an automated messaging tool. A vacation rental management system like Hostex can handle replies for you, helping you maintain a 100% response rate with ease.

3. Keep your cancellation rate at 1% or lower

Superhosts should cancel less than 1% of bookings per year — ideally, none at all. This means that hosts with fewer than 100 annual bookings should avoid canceling any reservations, except for cancellations falling under Airbnb’s Extenuating Circumstances policy.

Cancellations not only disrupt guest plans but also damage your listing’s reputation. To avoid this:

• Sync your calendars across platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com
• Use a channel manager with real-time synchronization to prevent double bookings

With the right tool, you can say goodbye to accidental cancellations and protect your Superhost status.

4. Maintain an overall rating of 4.8 or higher

You’ll need to maintain an average guest rating of 4.8 or above. That means delivering consistent five-star stays.

In a previous article, we shared practical tips to improve your ratings, including:

• Writing clear, honest descriptions
• Responding to guest needs with care
• Adding thoughtful touches that exceed expectations
• Politely reminding guests to leave a review

More positive reviews are essential to your credibility—and to becoming a Superhost on Airbnb.

Benefits of becoming an Airbnb Superhost

According to data from AirDNA, Airbnb Superhosts demonstrate outstanding performance in key operational metrics. Compared to regular hosts, Superhosts achieve higher occupancy rates (19.3% higher), higher RevPAR (3.3% higher), and greater income (up to 5.9% more).

However, the advantages of becoming an Airbnb Superhost extend beyond these numbers.

1. Increased exposure opportunities

As an Airbnb Superhost, your listing will be adorned with a prominent badge, setting you apart from other hosts and listings in your area. More importantly, your listing will be featured at the top of search results, granting you greater exposure. This means more potential guests will see your listing first, enhancing the likelihood of bookings.

2. Dedicated filtering tags

When guests use filtering options on Airbnb, they can choose to view only listings from Superhosts. This serves as an endorsement of trust from Airbnb, providing guests with the confidence to book your listing. This additional filtering option gives you a significant competitive advantage, attracting more guests to choose your property.

3. Additional recommendations

An often overlooked benefit is that Airbnb sometimes promotes listings through promotional emails or blogs. If your listing is unique and you are a Superhost, there’s a chance you may be recommended to a larger pool of potential guests. This will generate more exposure for your listing, increasing booking opportunities.

4. Higher profit potential

One of the key benefits of becoming a Superhost is the higher profit potential. Guests recognize that Airbnb-endorsed Superhosts are the cream of the crop, making them more likely to book such listings over others with unknown risks. This translates to a higher booking conversion rate.

5. Industry recognition

Becoming an Airbnb Superhost is a prestigious honor that signifies your commitment to providing exceptional service and continual improvement. This not only leaves a positive impression on guests but also helps establish a strong reputation within the industry. As you expand your business network, you will have greater opportunities to connect with industry professionals and create broader prospects for your future within the industry.

Tips to maintain your Airbnb Superhost status

Being a Superhost on Airbnb is not a permanent title. If you don’t meet the requirements during Airbnb’s quarterly evaluation, you may lose your Superhost status. So, how can you maintain your Superhost status? While Airbnb provides some tips and insights on this matter, there’s more you can do.

To maintain a response rate of over 90%, a cancellation rate below 1%, and an average rating of 4.8 or above. Here are some techniques you can implement:

1. Optimize your listing description

In the vacation rental industry, the property description is one of the most crucial elements. It creates the first impression for potential guests and can persuade them to choose your listing.

Airbnb aims to provide guests with an authentic living experience at their destination, rather than just a place to spend the night. Therefore, instead of simply listing the features, create a compelling story when highlighting the unique aspects of your property.

For example:

Our listing offers a charming backyard with a private pool, making it the perfect spot for guests to spend a relaxing weekend with friends. They can unwind in the pool while enjoying breathtaking sunset views, and savoring beer and barbecue. Meanwhile, children can have endless fun on the trampoline, fully embracing the joy!

However, it is crucial to ensure that your description aligns with reality. Honesty and meeting guest expectations are essential for receiving five-star reviews. Provide accurate information in your description to ensure guests are not disappointed upon arrival and can genuinely enjoy the experience you’ve described.

2. Consistent Communication

Effective communication is crucial to ensuring guests have the best experience in your home. Take the time to show your care and attention, as this can contribute to receiving five-star ratings and maintaining your Superhost status.

Utilize Hostex’s triggered messaging feature, which allows your guests to receive 24/7 support from booking to checkout. Additionally, Hostex’s automated messaging feature can help address various guest inquiries, ensuring they receive thoughtful care.

These tools save you time, allowing you to focus on other important matters or enjoy your personal life. Let these tools support you in efficient and professional communication, providing an exceptional experience for your guests.

3. Ensure reliable availability

Airbnb’s reputation is closely tied to the quality of service provided by hosts. As a result, Airbnb only grants Superhost status to hosts with a good record of cancellations. However, many professional hosts list their properties on multiple platforms, not just Airbnb. In such cases, there may be a risk of double bookings, leading to the need for cancellations.

Airbnb imposes strict penalties for this situation, including calendar blocking, fines, and immediate disqualification from Superhost status.

To address this issue, you can utilize Hostex’s channel manager. This tool allows you to sync real-time calendars from different platforms, making managing 100 properties as easy as managing one. This means you can effectively prevent double bookings and provide a smoother and more reliable booking experience.

4. Optimize your pricing strategy

As an Airbnb host, optimizing your pricing strategy can help you attract more Airbnb bookings. It enables you to meet the booking volume standards required for Airbnb Superhost status while maximizing your income.

To achieve this, it is important to set competitive prices based on factors such as the unique features of your property, competitor pricing, seasonal considerations, and current occupancy rates. Continuously optimizing and adjusting your pricing is necessary to stay competitive.

5. Maintain high standards of cleanliness

Cleanliness is one of the top concerns for Airbnb guests. A clean and well-maintained property not only enhances the guest experience but also earns positive reviews and recommendations. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain your Airbnb Superhost status.

• To ensure consistently high standards, it is essential to establish a comprehensive cleaning process/checklist. This will help to guarantee that each cleaning session meets the same high standards.
• Timely communication with your cleaning staff is vital to ensure that the cleaning tasks are completed before the arrival of new guests.
• Regular inspections of the cleaning tasks are necessary to avoid negative reviews due to inadequate cleaning.

We have previously discussed in detail how to automate your cleaning tasks, which can help you streamline your cleaning schedule and provide you with the necessary support.

Upgrading Your Airbnb Superhost Status

Becoming a Superhost is a major achievement—but the journey doesn’t stop there. Airbnb now offers even more prestigious certifications that can boost your visibility and attract a wider range of guests. These badges are designed to spotlight truly exceptional listings and hosts who go the extra mile.

⭐ Guest Favorite Badge: Most-loved homes on Airbnb

The Guest Favorite Badge is awarded to listings that guests consistently love. Unlike Superhost status, which focuses on the host’s performance, this badge is based purely on guest experience.

Airbnb evaluates over 500 million reviews and ratings using an automated system that updates daily. So far, more than 2 million listings have earned this badge worldwide.

Why does it matter? Because Airbnb now actively promotes Guest Favorites:

• They often appear at the top of search results
• There’s a dedicated filter for users to browse only Guest Favorites
• These listings get more visibility and higher click-through rates

In fact, some hosts feel that Guest Favorite is now more impactful than Superhost, as it directly reflects guest sentiment in real time.

💎 Airbnb Luxe: For truly exceptional luxury stays

Launched in 2018, Airbnb Luxe represents the top tier of Airbnb properties. These listings must meet strict luxury standards, such as:

• Generous square footage
• Premium design and architecture
• Amenities that rival five-star hotels

If you manage a high-end property, getting Luxe certified positions your listing in front of affluent travelers seeking exclusive, curated stays. It’s not easy to qualify, but for the right hosts, the benefits are significant.

🏨 Boutique Hotels: Perfect for hospitality businesses

The Boutique Hotels category is Airbnb’s answer to small hotels, inns, and B&Bs looking to tap into the short-term rental market. This certification:

• Highlights professional hospitality providers
• Gives small hotels increased visibility on Airbnb
• Helps properties reach a broader global audience

If you’re operating a licensed hospitality business, this is a great way to unlock new opportunities beyond traditional booking platforms.

In addition to these major badges, Airbnb also offers regional and niche certifications for specific host communities. But for most hosts, Superhost, Guest Favorite, and Airbnb Luxe remain the most valuable designations.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a Superhost is not just about earning a badge—it’s about building trust, delivering exceptional experiences, and growing a thriving short-term rental business. While the path may seem demanding, the rewards are well worth the effort.

By following the tips in this guide on how to become a Superhost on Airbnb, you’ll be better equipped to meet Airbnb’s standards, impress your guests, and stand out in a competitive market.

And remember, with the right tools—like Hostex to automate your daily tasks—you don’t have to do it all alone. Focus on what you do best: hosting with heart. Let the systems handle the rest.

Now it’s your turn. Aim high, stay consistent, and take your first step toward Superhost status today.