Virgin and Airbnb team up for new deal

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A new partnership between Virgin and Airbnb will allow Virgin Elevate members to earn loyalty points for stays at Airbnb properties worldwide. Elevate members will earn 1,500 points the first time they book with Airbnb, and a point for every dollar spent with the room-sharing company thereafter.

Additionally, Virgin will award new Airbnb hosts 20,000 Elevate points after their first guest checks in.

Big news for road warriors and Airbnb hosts

Elevate points are directly tied to the cost of a flight (and worth between 1.5 and 2.2 cents per point).  The 20,000-point bonus for first-time Airbnb hosts is equal to between $300 and $440 to redeem for Virgin America flights.

As a host, you can also earn 1,500 points and a $20 Airbnb credit on your first booking!  (The offer is valid between now and November 1, 2017.)

If you’re already an Airbnb user, here’s how you can earn one point per $1 spent on every booking through Virgin America. Not yet a member?  Join Virgin’s Elevate program for free.

Read more: Don’t be scammed by a fake hotel booking site

Here’s a list of similar players to Airbnb

If you need several bedrooms, prefer to have your own cooking facilities or if you plan to stay for more than a couple nights in a destination, you’ll often get a much better deal by renting an apartment, home or condo from a private owner.

That’s where websites like Airbnb and others come in. To avoid surprises, look for accommodations that already have lots of reviews. Also, be sure to discuss cancelation policies, house rules, deposits and payment methods upfront with the owner before you book:

VRBO: Private homes, apartments and more
Venere: International B&Bs, guest houses, country homes and more
SlowTrav: International villas, farms, cottages, apartments rentals
Reids Guides: Lodging in castles, a monastery — even an Amish farm
UniversityRooms: Rent a room at Oxford University, a dorm room in Rome and more
Agritourism World: Farm or country home stays in the U.S. and Europe

Read more: How to pick the perfect luggage

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Want more money-saving advice? See our Travel section.

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