Airbnb has new house rules — plus a way to save up to $600

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I’ll never forget one of my first Airbnb stays. I showed up with my cohort to a property in the Poconos, only to find there were no towels or sheets.

We were apparently supposed to bring our own.

Airbnb has evolved a lot over the years, and it’s become one of my go-to ways to book a place to stay. That’s especially true if I’m with a group, need amenities like a full kitchen or laundry, or I’m visiting a remote area. I’ve stayed at a cabin in the foothills of a volcano in Costa Rica, a cozy seaside apartment in Croatia and a mountain-view cottage in Transylvania.

Along the way, I’ve stripped my fair share of beds, done plenty of dishes and taken out the trash.

But even some of those more mundane chores could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to Airbnb’s new house rules policy, which goes into effect this month. Now, hosts can choose from seven standard “house rules,” while additional tasks for guests must be submitted as a request and reviewed.

Putting away dishes and taking garbage off-site are a couple of examples Airbnb provided for what hosts can no longer require at checkout. Airbnb says it hopes the redesigned experience makes expectations clearer and more manageable for guests.

Whether you’re applauding the changes or are skeptical about the results, it’s obvious the Airbnb news touched a collective nerve. And it’s not the only reason Airbnb is all over the headlines right now.

Airbnb and American Express recently announced new ways to earn points and statement credits using your eligible U.S. Amex card.

You can now book more than 1 million Airbnb properties through the American Express Travel booking site and app. That’s not every listing you’d find on Airbnb, but it’s a lot. And eligible cardholders can earn extra points on those purchases now too.

Select cardholders can get up to $600 back ($300 twice per year) on prepaid Airbnb Luxe stays of two nights or more booked through Amex Travel. These are Airbnb’s most exceptional, hand-picked properties (think: staffed villas and private islands, but also some homes that are just really, really nice).

And for some cardholders, that Airbnb Luxe reservation will even unlock a $250 credit toward eligible Airbnb Experiences (purchased directly through Airbnb).

That means Airbnb fans could get up to $850 back while also earning extra points to put toward the next adventure. And guess what? You won’t even need to bring your own bedding.