We include a messaging rule template which can be used specifically for automatically pre-approving inquiries!
Note: we cannot automatically pre-approve inquiries from Vrbo.
New Inquiry messaging rule
You can pre-approve inquiries automatically by using a New booking inquiry messaging rule. This allows you to give the green light to your potential guests without having to intervene yourself. This messaging rule is available for Legacy, Host, Professional, and Mogul subscription plans. It is not included for the Essentials subscription plan.
We already include a New booking inquiry template in your messaging rules (found in Guest experience) which you are free to edit as you see fit. We'll use this guide to explain how to edit the existing rule - you can check this article to learn how to create a new rule from scratch.
Please note: Hospitable can only pre-approve Airbnb inquiries. We cannot extend pre-approvals, nor can we pre-approve Vrbo inquiries.
Head to Guest experience > Messaging rules to find your list of rules. Select the New booking inquiry template from the list:
The rule already includes a passage of text that we've created for you, utilizing short codes to automatically populate things like names and dates. Feel free to adjust this message to suit your own tone!
The template is set to send immediately after an inquiry is received. You can delay the message by up to 60 minutes or opt to prepare (but never send) the message. This allows you to review the request yourself and reply manually if needed.
Automatically pre-approve inquiries is the setting you want to enable to pre-approve any inquiries. This will automatically send the pre-approval to your guest, allowing them 24 hours to complete their reservation. With this setting enabled, we won't send any other pre-approval-related rules to avoid sending repetitive messages to your guests.
Scope is important here, as we can only pre-approve Airbnb inquiries. We recommend scoping this message as such:
Platforms - Airbnb only
Hosts - Only Airbnb hosts
Properties - Only properties containing an Airbnb listing
This will avoid any confusion for your guests. A Vrbo inquiry could receive this message but not be pre-approved.
Once you have edited your rule, all you need to do is enable it by selecting the toggle next to its name - either from within the rule itself or on the Messaging rules overview.
As an inquiry is received, we will check the requested dates and send the message and pre-approval to your guest depending on the Timing setting of the rule. Airbnb guests aren't able to inquire about unavailable dates, so you don't need to worry about anybody being pre-approved in error.
Vrbo Exception
Hospitable cannot pre-approve Vrbo inquiries. This is because Vrbo heavily restricts direct quote-editing and pre-approvals through its API to prevent offline bookings — guests must officially submit a request to book, or use Instant Book, via the Vrbo platform itself.
Vrbo inquiries that flow into Hospitable are simply reservation questions from guests. They will appear in your Hospitable inbox, but the guest must go to Vrbo directly and submit a booking request to proceed. Only once a booking request is submitted will you be able to accept or decline it in Hospitable.
Offering a discounted price to a Vrbo inquiry guest
If a guest has inquired and you want to offer them a custom rate or special adjustment:
Go to your Calendar in Hospitable and update the nightly rate for the dates in question to reflect the custom price.
Reply to the guest's inquiry and let them know you've updated the pricing for their dates.
Ask them to go to Vrbo and submit a booking request, they'll see the updated price when they book.
Responding promptly matters
Vrbo tracks your response time to inquiries. Always reply within 24–48 hours to maintain your listing rank on Vrbo, even if your full answer is just acknowledging the inquiry while you sort out the details.