We booked three weeks’ accommodation in December 2016 for December 2017. At the time of booking there was a large variety of options to book from at varying prices. We needed to book in a particular resort because we were going to be holidaying with friends (they booked with a different agent).
Last week, nine months after booking, we received an email from Airbnb saying our host had cancelled our booking. For nine months, Airbnb held our money interest free. They appeared to think I should be grateful that they returned our money. At this point there is only one house available in this resort for five times the price. Everything else has been booked long ago. Airbnb just couldn’t care. I emailed them and spoke to them but they were not prepared to listen or help. They claim the host can cancel whenever they want with no compensation offered. Had we decided to cancel as guests we would have had to forfeit 50% of our money. I will never ever use Airbnb again.
Whoa! Sorry to hear about your plight. Thanks for giving the rest of us a heads-up about this type of situation.
9 months is a very long time to be holding onto your full payment
Hotels and bed and breakfasts might charge a percentage of the total, or a day ‘s rate when making the reservation, with the balance due anytime from 30 days out or as late as at check in.
VRBO and Flipkey have much more flexible terms than AIRBNB