I booked an apartment in New York. I made sure there was a moderate refund policy. I immediately realized I had mixed up the dates and within the space of about four minutes, I cancelled the reservation (sending an apology and explanation to the host).
Now, this was a bit of a last-minute thing and the booking was for two days in the future (I actually had meant to book the day after, hence the mix up). I only received the cleaning fee back. No other refund was given. My request for a refund via the site was ignored. I called their customer service, who extremely patronizingly ‘explained’ to me that I hadn’t read the rules properly and I should be more careful in future to read the rules.
The rule listed is: “Free cancellation for 48 hours. After that, cancel up to 5 days before check-in and get a full refund minus the service fee.” I’m aware that I booked leaving only two days before checking in, but I’m pretty sure that the words “after that” signify that there are no strings attached so long as it is within 48 hours. Surely the “5 days” part of the rules only apply after 48 hours?
“I’m pretty sure that the words “after that” signify that there are no strings attached so long as it is within 48 hours. Surely the “5 days” part of the rules only apply after 48 hours?”
Really, you don’t seem so sure of yourself in that quote above. Of course, you ARE wrong, and I’m sure that you know it now. You made a mistake simply because you didn’t read. You get to pay for it. Stop being another entitled guest that thinks Airbnb or the host should be their travel insurance. If you think you’re in the right then call your bank or credit card company, or take legal action. You know that won’t work because you are in the wrong, so instead you come here and whine that nobody else will pay for your mistake.
Of course, you could’ve just tried to see if you alter the reservation to the correct dates. How far off could it be since both the correct and incorrect dates were within the 5-day window? But, you didn’t do that either. Is it because you don’t read or because your reason for cancelling (mixing up the dates) is just a lame excuse?
Read carefully. If you’re fewer than 5 days out, you’re out of luck.
Indeed: There is something called Alteration Request.
The rule listed is: “Free cancellation for 48 hours.
CONTINUE READING: Full refund if check-in is AT LEAST 14 days away.
You should have tried to change the dates of the booking and not cancel it.
Nope, sorry, the ‘“5 days” part of the rules’ prevails.
You were most likely trying to book an illegal apartment. Almost all Airbnbs in NYC are illegal
There is something called Alteration Request you could have easily filled out instead of cancelling entirely.