Messaging Your Host
When a trip is available, keep its messages and calls in Afto Inbox so the conversation stays attached to the trip record. Live guest trips are not open during host prelaunch.
Why Afto Inbox
Afto messages are timestamped, tied to your trip, and attached to its record. If a disagreement comes up — about pickup time, the car's condition, or a late return — the message thread gives both sides and Afto support a shared record.
The mobile app also supports a trip-linked voice call. Both participants must consent to recording before the call connects, and the call record remains in the conversation. An in-app call is different from moving the conversation to a personal phone number.
When to message your host
You don't need a reason to say hello, but a few moments are worth reaching out proactively:
- Right after booking. Confirm your arrival time and ask any questions about the car before your trip starts.
- The day before pickup. A quick "still on for 3pm tomorrow?" avoids surprises for both of you.
- If you're running late. Message as soon as you know — hosts can plan around a delay if they hear about it early.
- If anything about the car looks off at check-in. See Guest Check-In: How To for what to do before you confirm handoff.
- If your plans change. Ask about modifying dates before assuming you need to cancel — see Canceling a Trip (Guest) for when a change makes more sense than a cancellation.
What to include in your first message
A good first message answers the questions your host is likely to have:
- Your expected arrival time (or a window, if you're not sure yet).
- How you're getting there — driving, rideshare, on foot — especially relevant for airport pickups or delivery.
- Any specific questions about the car: parking at your destination, car seat compatibility, whether a specific feature works.
Something like: "Hi! Booked your Civic for Thursday–Sunday. Planning to land at 2pm and grab a rideshare over — should be there by 3. Does the car have a USB-C port up front?" is enough. Plain, specific, easy to act on — no need to over-explain.
If your host is unresponsive
Most hosts respond within a few hours. If you haven't heard back and your trip is coming up soon:
- Send a follow-up a day or so before pickup if you haven't gotten a reply to your first message.
- Check your booking status. If your trip was a request and the host hasn't responded within 24 hours, it auto-expires and the payment authorization is released — see Instant Book vs. Request to Book.
- Contact Afto support if your trip is confirmed and pickup is within 24 hours with no response. Use Afto Inbox or email [email protected] — we can help track down the host or walk you through your options.
If a host is unreachable at the actual scheduled pickup time and you end up cancelling because of it, that's treated as a host cancellation, not a guest one — see What If My Host Cancels?.
What not to do
Don't move the conversation to text, a personal phone call, or another app, even if a host suggests it. Use Afto messages or the consented in-app voice-call control instead. Do not share your license, payment details, or other sensitive information in chat; Afto collects required information through the appropriate account and checkout flows.