Tricks and Traps When Using Airbnb Platform

Strict cancellation terms: if you book two months before, but cancel one month before, you will be reimbursed only 50%, even in low season. This is the choice from a “host” who, since my cancellation, has earned three nights without having hosted anyone and maybe accepting other guests.

I kindly requested a partial reimbursement from the host, attaching medical certificates of treatment, but he did not deign to answer. If he had done so I would have immediately asked Airbnb to intervene, because there are only 14 days to make a complaint. The host certainly knew, was silent, and waited.

Airbnb tries to convince you to buy their service of “free cancellation within 48 hours” but this is effective from the time of payment, not 48 hours before staying (which would obviously be disadvantageous for hosts). It can be misinterpreted.

If you look hard you will find the number of guests who have used the house, and much more in evidence like the number of positive reviews. Subtract the positives from the total number of guests and you will have a more realistic idea of ​​the appreciation of the place. It is not transparent because negative comments are censored.

I had booked two weeks in two different houses, then canceled the second due to the need to use a vacation for medical treatment. With the remaining house, however, it did not go well: we arrived on a rainy day and there was a strong smell of dampness. The radiators were never turned on and there were no instructions, so time was lost to avoid getting cold at night.

Everything was clean except for the shower (of which there were no detailed photos in the listing) and some details in the kitchen. The indecent thing is that two days after the check-in the host told me that due to the risk of clogging the drain, I had to throw used toilet paper in the basket.

I left, he repaid me, but in any case he kept 40€ of “cleaning fees” over the two nights. In general it is better not to risk ruining your holiday. Choose a hotel directly or take a vacation in a tent or campground if you want to save money.

Posted in Airbnb Guest Stories and tagged , , , , , .

2 Comments

  1. Yes, to everything Brian said, PLUS, negative comments cannot be removed. Don’t say something unless you know it’s true. I am a host and hear of fights to remove unscrupulous comments all the time, but Airbnb will not remove them. Hosts may only respond with their own comments to refute anything stated. I guess you should read the fine print next time.

  2. So, you didn’t read the terms to see that the host had selected strict cancellation? Or did you read them but not want to abide by them when it didn’t suit you?

    Are you kidding about misinterpreting “free cancellation within 48 hours”? Nobody that read it would think that.

    If you had read anything at all you’d know that you can appeal to Airbnb for extenuating circumstances to get your stay refunded due to medical reasons.

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