Having used “instant book” online my host then requested double the rate. I refused and was refunded the sum paid plus given a 10% discount on my next Airbnb booking. I made another booking immediately and paid £673… relatively onerous cancellation terms for me. Five months later that host then requested double the rate paid. I refused, and the host cancelled. Such hosts suffer a modest cost penalty imposed by Airbnb and that particular period booked for that property can no longer be booked through Airbnb. The guest receives a full refund and a 10% discount on their next booking. This is totally inadequate compensation for wrecked travel plans so long after the initial booking. Why does Airbnb not provide some financial compensation for holding a good chunk of money for so long? I have unsuccessfully sought some financial redress from Airbnb but keep getting the same standard responses. Airheads! Potential bookers: be aware of what might lay ahead. Hosts might cancel late in the day if they get a better offer.
Tag Archives: airbnb cancellations
Airbnb hosts cancel reservations and screw guests
I booked 3 times with Airbnb. Twice they were cancelled by the hosts after I booked and paid 3-4 months in advance. All Airbnb took responsibility for was covering 10% more of the difference. It shows that Airbnb is too clever in doing business. It is a win-win situation for Airbnb. First we looked for places for days, booked and paid in advance by credit card. The bank charges us the selling rate currency exchange. Then we wait and pray that the host would not cancel our booking. And then the cancellation arrived, and we had to start all over again, but this time with far fewer choices of accommodation plus even higher price. If we couldn’t find one from Airbnb, we got the money back, sounds good, but we got the amount back from the bank with leas money due to currency exchange rate. My experience with Airbnb in 10 months with 3 bookings is terrible and nightmare after nightmare. It ruined our holidays. Wasted time and energy to deal with unprofessional Airbnb. I learned that I should rely on professional ones which are abundant in the market. Airbnb business is too tricky.