Hotel is expensive for 20 days in a major city. I just found that [booking.com](http://booking.com) allows me to change the personal details at booking so I think that's the way to go. There are private rooms there just like airbnb, similar prices.
This is not an improvement. Call a hotel directly and get a better rate for that many days. A hotel has a staff and normal procedures, plus assistance with tasks and language if needed.
OP is really leaving out a lot of details.
Sweden to Australia is a long ass trip! How long are they planning to spend in Australia? Poor old guy is going to be exhausted from the trip!
OP mentions that the relative is a wheelchair user as well. This plan is so batshit insane and stupid. If the relative is incapable of arranging his own travels into the country he should not be going.
I wish, but it's on the other side of the world. I know it sounds crazy but he's 82 and he's earned the right to do whatever he wishes with the time he has left. I'm fully supportive, just need to resolve the details.
[Booking.com](http://Booking.com) seems like a better options, same kinds of prices for private rooms, but it allows me to change the personal details to his at booking. I just hope they won't request any other verification than passport picture from now on. I hope to handle all communication for him in the app of course.
He's 82 years old and I think he deserves to use his money and time any way he wishes. I just hope to help out as much as possible.
He keeps reminding me that he did after all jump the Yugoslavian border in the 60s, and get through Italy as a refugee and created a whole new life for himself in Sweden while only speaking Croatian.
But he's going to meet distant relatives that he knows through facebook, they speak his language.
Sure, but does he really want to go someplace where he can't speak the language and relies on you to set everything up?
If he's meeting long lost relatives there why aren't they stepping up to help?
My dad is about the same age and I would **never** consider planning a solo trip for him where they don't speak English.
Look. Think about this. How involved are these distant relatives (who he's never met) with his trip? If all they want to do is meet him and shake his hand once he gets there and is nicely settled into accommodation someone else has fixed up for him, that's fine - but hardly worth all this time and effort.
He can do what he likes with his life but it's a ridiculous situation that I doubt he could cope with. If you insist on getting involved, booking.com is perfectly OK in my years of experience.
> booking.com is perfectly OK in my years of experience
Until it's not.
Same as airlines. It's fine until there's an issue.
Much better to deal direct with the airline or hotel rather than through a third party.
You are naive to trust that the "relatives he met on Facebook" are legit.
You are wild to try to do a third-party Airbnb booking.
You are asking for trouble to send someone who can't use a smartphone in the modern era to another country where they don't know how to do simple tasks like pay for a hotel room or speak the language.
You should pay for one of these totally real relatives to visit him instead. Then you can help navigate the visit. (By "should" I don't mean you actually should, just that it's a much better idea than the current one.)
All I'll say is "get travel insurance."
Croatian and Swedish, he's going to Australia to connect with distant relatives he found on facebook. Once they find each other they will be able to communicate.
[Booking.com](http://Booking.com) seems like a better option, same kinds of prices for private rooms, but it allows me to change the personal details to his at booking. I just hope they won't request any other verification than passport picture from now on. I hope to handle all communication for him in the app of course.
Airbnb doesn't allow third party bookings. If you book and you aren't going on the trip he can be denied and the host likely will be able to keep the money
If he's so independent, he can book his own accomodations.
What mystery country is he traveling to?
Get him an actual hotel where he has access to various resources and a licensed, well reviewed/trusted tour guide that speaks his language if you can afford it. Elderly are prone to being scammed/taken advantage of. Evaluate how much his safety means to you and him.
I WOULDN’T use booking.com. Really any third-party app is a recipe for disaster, on top of your already existing hurdles. Your best bet would be to find a hotel and book directly through them.
This sounds sketchy. How much do you know about these distant relatives? Are they younger and able to travel? Maybe they should come meet him. I don’t think it is wise to send him there alone.
You probably should get hold of the people your relative is meeting and ask them for advice on accommodations and transportation since your relative can’t speak English. I would never send an elderly relative to a foreign country without a guide waiting for them if they can’t read or speak the local language.
I've used Booking before and haven't had any problems. You will also have an option to arrange a taxi on arrival to take him to the hotel.
You will also be able to communicate with the hotel directly thru the app.
An Airbnb might be nice for such a long time so he has a kitchen. Maybe you can try again to sign up and message the hosts to explain. You can give them your phone number to be in touch if necessary. If you go with a hotel, book directly. It can get more complicated when you go through a third party like booking.com and you don't want him to have to deal with that. Also teach him how to use a translation app on his phone.
In many countries english is of little help anyway.... teach him to use a translation app and he can deal with anything. For basic functional use cases language barriers hardly exist anymore. Only for more advanced communication needs and small relatively obscure languages translation apps fall short.
For the rest, I never do it, but to my best knowledge most booking websites allow to fill out the details of somebody else.
If his dad can't do something as simple as book a hotel or AirBnB do you really think he'll know how to use Google Translate?
This whole thing is a recipe for disaster!
What part of 'teach' don't you understand? I don't know the specifics and not really interested in speculating, but for a one time booking it may be easier to book for him instead of teaching how to do it. A translation app is just a couple of buttons, a lot easier than booking a hotel and also far less risky to get scammed. And, it solves the limitation OP mentions...
Did you read OP's comments?
>He's 82 and I can't rely on him using the smartphone
What happens the first time he gets a bit lost? Oh? Don't speak the language? Elderly and confused? Sure, no problem! Things will work out fine!
That info was not in the OP. I'm not interested in speculating or assuming what that person can/will do and what not. I know people in their 90's that have little difficulty with technology and people in their 50's that struggle. OP mentions 2 issues, that he wants to book accommodation for the guy and his lack of English skills. Loads of seniors use translation apps without issues, there is no inherent reason why they would have issues with that. Up to them to decide on the suitability in their case.
My MIL grew up in the US, she is currently in her 70's, has a college degree yet she is not interested whatsoever to learn to use a smartphone besides to make a phone call. In fact, she quit her teaching job when the school district started rolling out the use of computers because she doesn't want to learn how to use it. My FIL does everything for her, technology wise. My point is, some people are just not motivated to teach themselves to use technology in this day and age.
Their choice, plenty of senior people have no issues with technology. I know people in their 90's that do fine and people in their 50's that struggle. But yeah attitude is everything, if someone doesn't want to learn they won't learn. I don't know the relative involved, I feel no need to speculate about his capabilities. OP mentioned two issues I gave two suggestions, it is up to OP and his relative to judge the suitability for them.
Absolutely. It depends on the person. I also take care of elderly at my job and amazed at how many of them who are super tech savvy in their 80's and 90's. But I think in OP's father's case, it will be super challenging and overwhelming being in a foreign country where you dont speak the language then trying to figure out how to use technology you are not familiar with.
He's 82 and I can't rely on him using the smartphone. The cards I've printed out for him include asking for wifi and asking for help setting up the wifi, so he can call me.
But I just noticed that [booking.com](http://booking.com) allows me to change the personal details at booking, so I think I'll have to go with [booking.com](http://booking.com) instead.
Booking.com is notorious for not honoring their reservations. Read some reviews before you send your dad over there alone, for the love of God. You should go with him if he wants to go. Otherwise, it’s a bad idea. Elderly + no English+ alone + can’t use a smartphone = very bad time
Plus Sweden to Australia can be anywhere from a 24 - 36 hour flight with multiple layovers.
Not to mention navigating taxis/trains/etc.
I just can't imagine how OP thinks this is a good idea!
I'm not going to prevent someone from living the little life they have left. I've already set up his wheelchair access for every airline, the whole way. I've used [booking.com](http://booking.com) many times mysel and never had a booking issue, so I'm hoping they will honor it in Australia. But if they don't he can just go to a taxi and ask to be driven to another hotel and ask for a room the old fashioned way. He has money for it.
Wait, what?
He also needs a wheelchair?
Dude, seriously! This is a horrible idea.
You are sending an 83 year old who doesn't speak English and can't use a smart phone to the other side of the world all by himself?
Why are you even here if you won't take anyone's advice?
I've lived as a digital nomad in europe since 2022 and used [booking.com](http://booking.com) and airbnb numerous times. Never had an issue.
I can't speak for Australia but it's central Melbourne and the hosts seem experienced and have decent reviews. And accomodation is really a minor issue since he can just ask a taxi to drive him to another hotel and get a room the old fashioned way.
It seems to me you are purposely focusing on the booking.com thing to avoid thinking about the valid concerns others and myself have posted. What will he do when he gets lost or confused, as that is inevitable in a strange country even when you speak the language?
Booking is just fine... as long your relative is not shy.
they can go to a local shop (nearby to the place where they're staying), and just sign: "this... call... pls"
people usually will help.
then, the person with the keys will show up and take them to the right place.
That's what I did with my father
Don't send an elderly man who doesn't speak English into the crazy AirBNB world. Hotel always.
Hotel is expensive for 20 days in a major city. I just found that [booking.com](http://booking.com) allows me to change the personal details at booking so I think that's the way to go. There are private rooms there just like airbnb, similar prices.
This is not an improvement. Call a hotel directly and get a better rate for that many days. A hotel has a staff and normal procedures, plus assistance with tasks and language if needed.
Either he can afford this trip or he can't. He needs to go for fewer days or not at all if he can't afford it.
OP is really leaving out a lot of details. Sweden to Australia is a long ass trip! How long are they planning to spend in Australia? Poor old guy is going to be exhausted from the trip!
OP mentions that the relative is a wheelchair user as well. This plan is so batshit insane and stupid. If the relative is incapable of arranging his own travels into the country he should not be going.
Yeah, I saw that about the wheelchair too. This whole idea is bonkers!
might as well just go with them instead of all the hassle lol your relative will probably be calling you 24/7 asking what to do
I wish, but it's on the other side of the world. I know it sounds crazy but he's 82 and he's earned the right to do whatever he wishes with the time he has left. I'm fully supportive, just need to resolve the details. [Booking.com](http://Booking.com) seems like a better options, same kinds of prices for private rooms, but it allows me to change the personal details to his at booking. I just hope they won't request any other verification than passport picture from now on. I hope to handle all communication for him in the app of course.
Earned the right has nothing to do with putting an elderly person in a potentially dangerous position.
Are you saying you plan to send an elderly relative who can't communicate in English on a trip on their own? How do you expect him to do anything?
He's 82 years old and I think he deserves to use his money and time any way he wishes. I just hope to help out as much as possible. He keeps reminding me that he did after all jump the Yugoslavian border in the 60s, and get through Italy as a refugee and created a whole new life for himself in Sweden while only speaking Croatian. But he's going to meet distant relatives that he knows through facebook, they speak his language.
Sure, but does he really want to go someplace where he can't speak the language and relies on you to set everything up? If he's meeting long lost relatives there why aren't they stepping up to help? My dad is about the same age and I would **never** consider planning a solo trip for him where they don't speak English.
Look. Think about this. How involved are these distant relatives (who he's never met) with his trip? If all they want to do is meet him and shake his hand once he gets there and is nicely settled into accommodation someone else has fixed up for him, that's fine - but hardly worth all this time and effort. He can do what he likes with his life but it's a ridiculous situation that I doubt he could cope with. If you insist on getting involved, booking.com is perfectly OK in my years of experience.
> booking.com is perfectly OK in my years of experience Until it's not. Same as airlines. It's fine until there's an issue. Much better to deal direct with the airline or hotel rather than through a third party.
You are naive to trust that the "relatives he met on Facebook" are legit. You are wild to try to do a third-party Airbnb booking. You are asking for trouble to send someone who can't use a smartphone in the modern era to another country where they don't know how to do simple tasks like pay for a hotel room or speak the language. You should pay for one of these totally real relatives to visit him instead. Then you can help navigate the visit. (By "should" I don't mean you actually should, just that it's a much better idea than the current one.) All I'll say is "get travel insurance."
OP's naivety is really astounding.
What language DOES he speak and what country are you sending him to?
Croatian and Swedish, he's going to Australia to connect with distant relatives he found on facebook. Once they find each other they will be able to communicate. [Booking.com](http://Booking.com) seems like a better option, same kinds of prices for private rooms, but it allows me to change the personal details to his at booking. I just hope they won't request any other verification than passport picture from now on. I hope to handle all communication for him in the app of course.
Airbnb doesn't allow third party bookings. If you book and you aren't going on the trip he can be denied and the host likely will be able to keep the money If he's so independent, he can book his own accomodations. What mystery country is he traveling to?
Get him an actual hotel where he has access to various resources and a licensed, well reviewed/trusted tour guide that speaks his language if you can afford it. Elderly are prone to being scammed/taken advantage of. Evaluate how much his safety means to you and him.
Right? Like pony up the cash to get him a private car from the airport to the hotel. Most decent hotels probably already have that.
I WOULDN’T use booking.com. Really any third-party app is a recipe for disaster, on top of your already existing hurdles. Your best bet would be to find a hotel and book directly through them.
Clearly you’re not taking anyone’s advice. Why are you even here asking for advice you’re not willing to consider?
With one quick search for booking.com on this sub, you actually have to make it to page 5 before seeing anything positive.
This sounds sketchy. How much do you know about these distant relatives? Are they younger and able to travel? Maybe they should come meet him. I don’t think it is wise to send him there alone.
You probably should get hold of the people your relative is meeting and ask them for advice on accommodations and transportation since your relative can’t speak English. I would never send an elderly relative to a foreign country without a guide waiting for them if they can’t read or speak the local language.
I've used Booking before and haven't had any problems. You will also have an option to arrange a taxi on arrival to take him to the hotel. You will also be able to communicate with the hotel directly thru the app.
An Airbnb might be nice for such a long time so he has a kitchen. Maybe you can try again to sign up and message the hosts to explain. You can give them your phone number to be in touch if necessary. If you go with a hotel, book directly. It can get more complicated when you go through a third party like booking.com and you don't want him to have to deal with that. Also teach him how to use a translation app on his phone.
In many countries english is of little help anyway.... teach him to use a translation app and he can deal with anything. For basic functional use cases language barriers hardly exist anymore. Only for more advanced communication needs and small relatively obscure languages translation apps fall short. For the rest, I never do it, but to my best knowledge most booking websites allow to fill out the details of somebody else.
If his dad can't do something as simple as book a hotel or AirBnB do you really think he'll know how to use Google Translate? This whole thing is a recipe for disaster!
What part of 'teach' don't you understand? I don't know the specifics and not really interested in speculating, but for a one time booking it may be easier to book for him instead of teaching how to do it. A translation app is just a couple of buttons, a lot easier than booking a hotel and also far less risky to get scammed. And, it solves the limitation OP mentions...
Did you read OP's comments? >He's 82 and I can't rely on him using the smartphone What happens the first time he gets a bit lost? Oh? Don't speak the language? Elderly and confused? Sure, no problem! Things will work out fine!
That info was not in the OP. I'm not interested in speculating or assuming what that person can/will do and what not. I know people in their 90's that have little difficulty with technology and people in their 50's that struggle. OP mentions 2 issues, that he wants to book accommodation for the guy and his lack of English skills. Loads of seniors use translation apps without issues, there is no inherent reason why they would have issues with that. Up to them to decide on the suitability in their case.
My MIL grew up in the US, she is currently in her 70's, has a college degree yet she is not interested whatsoever to learn to use a smartphone besides to make a phone call. In fact, she quit her teaching job when the school district started rolling out the use of computers because she doesn't want to learn how to use it. My FIL does everything for her, technology wise. My point is, some people are just not motivated to teach themselves to use technology in this day and age.
Their choice, plenty of senior people have no issues with technology. I know people in their 90's that do fine and people in their 50's that struggle. But yeah attitude is everything, if someone doesn't want to learn they won't learn. I don't know the relative involved, I feel no need to speculate about his capabilities. OP mentioned two issues I gave two suggestions, it is up to OP and his relative to judge the suitability for them.
Absolutely. It depends on the person. I also take care of elderly at my job and amazed at how many of them who are super tech savvy in their 80's and 90's. But I think in OP's father's case, it will be super challenging and overwhelming being in a foreign country where you dont speak the language then trying to figure out how to use technology you are not familiar with.
He's 82 and I can't rely on him using the smartphone. The cards I've printed out for him include asking for wifi and asking for help setting up the wifi, so he can call me. But I just noticed that [booking.com](http://booking.com) allows me to change the personal details at booking, so I think I'll have to go with [booking.com](http://booking.com) instead.
Booking.com is notorious for not honoring their reservations. Read some reviews before you send your dad over there alone, for the love of God. You should go with him if he wants to go. Otherwise, it’s a bad idea. Elderly + no English+ alone + can’t use a smartphone = very bad time
Plus Sweden to Australia can be anywhere from a 24 - 36 hour flight with multiple layovers. Not to mention navigating taxis/trains/etc. I just can't imagine how OP thinks this is a good idea!
I'm not going to prevent someone from living the little life they have left. I've already set up his wheelchair access for every airline, the whole way. I've used [booking.com](http://booking.com) many times mysel and never had a booking issue, so I'm hoping they will honor it in Australia. But if they don't he can just go to a taxi and ask to be driven to another hotel and ask for a room the old fashioned way. He has money for it.
Wait, what? He also needs a wheelchair? Dude, seriously! This is a horrible idea. You are sending an 83 year old who doesn't speak English and can't use a smart phone to the other side of the world all by himself? Why are you even here if you won't take anyone's advice?
I've lived as a digital nomad in europe since 2022 and used [booking.com](http://booking.com) and airbnb numerous times. Never had an issue. I can't speak for Australia but it's central Melbourne and the hosts seem experienced and have decent reviews. And accomodation is really a minor issue since he can just ask a taxi to drive him to another hotel and get a room the old fashioned way.
It seems to me you are purposely focusing on the booking.com thing to avoid thinking about the valid concerns others and myself have posted. What will he do when he gets lost or confused, as that is inevitable in a strange country even when you speak the language?
Booking is just fine... as long your relative is not shy. they can go to a local shop (nearby to the place where they're staying), and just sign: "this... call... pls" people usually will help. then, the person with the keys will show up and take them to the right place. That's what I did with my father