Comments on: How do I get a refund on a last minute booking?

By: Megan

Megan — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 13:20:24 +0000

In reply to Devon. Do you recall if you won this dispute? Going through the same thing right now.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 22:50:17 +0000

If you make a reservation less than 2 weeks before booking and the cancellation policy is “strict”, then you’re kinda screwed. You really should’ve read it before committing to the reservation.

Just remember that if you ask the host for a refund before check-in, they will probably say no. Why? Because they don’t get your money from Airbnb until at least 24 hours AFTER your scheduled check-in. Any host that refunds a guest’s money before the host actually gets paid is naive. A guest’s best recourse is to cancel with Airbnb and politely ask the host refund all days of the reservation that get re-booked by other guests, and the host should not pay any refund to the guest until AFTER the scheduled check-out of the cancelled reservation.

By: Devon

Devon — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 20:08:09 +0000

I am going through this right now. I made a reservation and tried to cancel 45 min later. I have been fighting with Airbnb about this for 4 days. They told me its basically my fault for not reading the cancelation policy. I didn’t even know they had a “strict policy” I always have reserved places where you get a full refund if you cancel within 48 hours. When trying to get in contact with the host, they refused to answer me and Airbnb yet somehow it’s still “my fault”. I have threatened to sue them and they will not budge. There was a ton of miscommunication where one of the case managers said if the host doesn’t answer within 24 hours they’ll give me a full refund. The host agreed to a 50% refund after not responding for several days but I want my full refund back. I know they purposely didn’t answer because the longer they wait, the more money they get to keep from me. I am disputing this with my bank as well. Good luck!

By: Geoffrey

Geoffrey — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 17:12:10 +0000

In reply to Nat P. I also consider it more beneficial that I freely give the benefit of my 40 years' experience in the industry and law in two countries than to cast open ended comments with innuendos, Nat P

By: Geoffrey

Geoffrey — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 02:51:36 +0000

In reply to Nat P.

hmmmm what?
I recently joined this site and enjoy it. I am a professional short-term accommodation provider who listed with AirBnB when it first appeared in Australia but soon cancelled my association with them once bad reports surface here. The time difference allows me to sharpen my wits whilst I wake up with my coffee.
I notice Nat P does not have much to say on here….hmmmm?

By: Nat P

Nat P — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 20:21:18 +0000

I noticed Geoffrey says a lot on here….hmmmm?

By: TheDexter

TheDexter — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 22:41:46 +0000

Geoffrey said it perfectly. This is completely on you for not reading the Terms.

By: Geoffrey

Geoffrey — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 16:59:14 +0000

Your only option is to grin and bear it I’m afraid and learn to read or ask about booking conditions in the future.
The onus is on the guest to make adequate enquiries before booking to satisfy themselves if the property is suitable for their purpose.
You have a contract which apparently states no refunds and those terms were made available to you before you booked. If you didn’t read them, just assuming you could get a full refund, well, silly you. Just because one establishment allowed you to cancel without penalty does not mean the next one will. Learn from your expensive laziness and pay attention to the booking conditions in the future.
It is none of your business if the host needs your money or not and it’s beside the point how long the host was or was not waiting. Your bank will not help nor will suing the host or AirBnB as you broke the contract. The terms and conditions prevail and they state no cancellation, pure and simple.