AirBed&Breakfast unveils alternative accommodation booking

Image via WikipediaSan Francisco – AirBed&Breakfast announced on Monday the formal launch of its travel Web site, Airbedandbreakfast.com, which combines the organic experience of staying with a local with the convenience and efficiency of booking a hotel room online. The site, which provides a fully automated service for booking a stay with local residents in more than 100 cities across the globe through a social networking-style format, offers a convenient, secure and cost-effective alternative in light of the lack of hotel accommodations for thousands of Democratic/Republican convention attendees.

“Our service enables cities like Denver and St. Paul to greatly expand their capacities for events like this,” said Brian Chesky, Co-Founder, AirBed&Breakfast. “In just a few clicks, folks who would like to attend the conventions but don’t have hotel reservations can book a stay with a Denver or St. Paul local. Just visit our site and click ‘DNC/RNC’ and you’ll see hundreds of listings in all price ranges.”

Unlike renting rooms through online classified listings, AirBed&Breakfast’s booking process is 100 percent automated, with monetary transactions being handled through the site, creating a streamlined process for guest and host. Additionally, AirBed&Breakfast gives the host the option of donating either a portion or their entire fee to the candidate of their choice.

“Obama and McCain supporters have an historic opportunity before them,” said Joe Gebbia, Co-Founder, AirBed&Breakfast. “They can support their candidate by attending the convention AND know that the money that they would have spent on a hotel room is going to be donated to their campaign fund.”

Word about AirBedandBreakfast.com is spreading rapidly, especially in Denver, where on average 50 new hosts are signing up per day. Beyond the conventions, however, AirBed&Breakfast provides an ever-increasing selection of unique experiences for the adventurous traveler looking for a viable alternative to the generic hotel experience.

Other features of Airbedandbreakfast.com include:
- Single profile listing on a social networking-style page instead of weekly postings in classifieds
- Profiles provide more information – also links profiles on other social networking sites
- Ratings and reviews of guests/hosts
- Search by location / check-in, check-out date
- Opportunities to network with people with mutual interests

AirBed&Breakfast to Add Lasting Value beyond the Conventions
Even after the conventions, hosts will be able to make an extra buck off of their rooms without having to become landlords or get locked into a long-term commitment to a roommate, particularly during rare national events such as the Super Bowl or a major concert series such as the Vans Warped Tour. Hosts can limit availability to whatever days they would like. Moreover, hosts always have the right to decline any prospective guests. Travelers, in the meantime, will always have a cheaper alternative to hotels that provides a localized experience that a concierge desk cannot match.