I've been in AirBnB hosts where the landlady would make deserts for us and all kinds of stuff, just because she was nice and bored. We enjoyed it very much and I would tip her via AirBnb - she didn't want cash, except once - pre-agreed for multi course meal where she fed a group of 4, and it was pretty much just for the resources.
There was a guy in SF that took me around shown me the city, etc... I enjoyed this too and would tip him.
I have more examples of that.
This is not even charity, it's just pointless.
That doesn’t change the fact that AirBnB has a big problem, and what they’re doing here is tone-deaf. Yeah, tips might make sense sometimes, but fix the problem before you start soliciting tips.
I mean it's insane for a multibillion dollar company passing the hat for homeowners. Both sides aren't charity cases.
Not donating is saying just as much to the host as donating.
And maybe that's a good change, but I think it's wrong to say that offering the option only affects those who choose to pay extra.
Right now it's ripe with places (sometimes entire buildings) dedicated to AirBnB, to the point where they put a dent in the local renting market.