Answers · OTA guests
Can you message Airbnb or Vrbo guests after their stay?
Yes, but only through the platform’s messaging, unless the guest gave you their contact details directly and agreed to hear from you. Contact details from an OTA booking are for that booking, not for your marketing list.
Guests who book through Airbnb or Vrbo are still your guests, but the platform controls the relationship. Airbnb relays guest email through a masked address, and its terms only allow hosts to use guest information to facilitate the booking. To market to these guests later, you need permission they give you directly.
What the platforms allow
The rules differ by platform, but the principle is the same. The booking channel owns the booking conversation.
Airbnb
Use Airbnb messaging for anything about the stay. Do not use guest details from Airbnb for marketing, and do not ask guests to book outside Airbnb in Airbnb messages.
Vrbo and other OTAs
Vrbo, Booking.com and Expedia have their own rules about using guest data. Check each platform’s current terms before you message guests outside it.
Your own channels
When a guest shares their email or phone with you directly and opts in, you can message them as your brand, on the channels they agreed to.
How to get permission the right way
Ask during the stay, through your own channels, with a clear yes:
A guest app or digital guidebook with an opt-in to hear about future stays.
A Wi-Fi login or check-in form that asks to stay in touch.
Your direct booking website, with a marketing consent checkbox.
In person or at checkout, recorded on the guest’s profile.
Consent rules by channel
Each channel has its own rules. This is general information, not legal advice.
Every message needs a working unsubscribe. Canada (CASL) and the EU (GDPR) generally require consent before marketing email.
SMS
In the US, marketing texts need prior express written consent under the TCPA, and you must honor STOP replies.
Guests must opt in, and Meta currently restricts marketing messages to US phone numbers.
How to do it
1. Keep the OTA thread for the stay
Check-in details and questions stay on the platform.
2. Offer an opt-in
Through your guidebook, Wi-Fi or check-in form.
3. Store consent
Record what the guest agreed to, and when.
4. Message as your brand
Later offers go out on the channels they chose.
How Yada helps
Yada collects opt-ins through your guidebook, guest app and website forms, stores consent on each guest’s profile, and checks it before every send.
Airbnb guests to direct
How hosts turn OTA guests into direct guests, the compliant way.
Digital guidebooks
A free guidebook that also collects guest contact details with consent.
What is an OTA guest?
A guest who booked through Airbnb, Vrbo or Booking.com.
What is a direct booking?
Booked with the property, not through an OTA.
How do I get past guests to book direct again?
Who to contact, when to send and what to offer.
Guest CRM
One record per guest across PMS stays, OTA bookings, forms and imports.
Frequently asked questions
Can I export my Airbnb guests and email them?
No. Airbnb’s terms only allow hosts to use guest information to facilitate the booking, and guest emails are relayed through masked addresses.
Can I ask an Airbnb guest to book direct next time?
Not inside Airbnb messaging. Once a guest has opted in to your own channels, you can send them direct offers there.
Do I need consent to text a past guest?
For marketing texts in the US, yes. The TCPA requires prior express written consent.
What counts as permission?
A clear, recorded opt-in from the guest for a specific channel, such as a checked box on your guidebook or website form.
Is an OTA guest still my guest?
Yes. They stayed at your property. The platform owns the booking relationship until the guest chooses to connect with you directly.