Host wants an Instagram follow and 5-star review before unlocking a checkout discount — pay full or play along?
Hiriketiya guesthouse. Stay was fine. At checkout they offered money off if we follow their page and leave five stars now on Booking while they watch. Feels icky. Is this common, and do travelers just smile and decline, or is the discount worth the fake review?
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4 Answers from travellers
Review-for-discount while someone watches is pressure, not hospitality. You can decline politely: thank them, say you review later from home, and pay the agreed rate. Honest delayed reviews help future guests more than a coerced five stars. Hosts who need follows that badly are gambling with platform rules anyway. A small cash tip for good service is cleaner than a theatrical star rating. I will not invent how often Booking polices this — just do not trade integrity for a few thousand rupees.
Smiled, said I review on the train home. Paid full. Left a genuine four later. Sleep fine.
Declining. Paying the listed amount. Might still follow the page later if I feel like it — not as a bargain.
Front desks that push live five-stars create awkward guests. Declining is allowed.
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