I just completed my first and last utilization of Airbnb. I took my son and grandson to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the EAA AirVenture airshow. We booked a beautiful home near the airport for the week at $550/night ($3,300 for 6 nights). The host was very good and communicated well.
When I returned I found my credit card had been charged $4,658. I attempted to download an invoice from their very difficult to navigate website and was unsuccessful. Only after sending a “chat” message, I obtained a customer service phone number, which I called. My first attempt I was disconnected after finally obtaining a representative and explaining my dilemma. I called back and again after a long wait and final explanation, I was disconnected again. The third attempt, again a long hold and menu negotiation, I got a customer rep.
I addressed the $1,300 additional charge and asked for an explanation. After several holds, the final explanation was a $501 Airbnb service fee, a $600 occupancy tax, and a cleaning fee of $250, which I’m told is kept by Airbnb and not even given to the host. None of this was disclosed at the booking. The difference from my original daily rate of $550 turned into $775/night. Armed with that information I probably would have made different plans. The customer service person was apologetic, but offered no explanation as to the Airbnb policy. I will never use their services again and I will tell anyone standing still long enough to do the same.
I know for sure that all fees are shown before you are even able to make a booking.
How do I know?
Because I’ve turned down AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT of bookings once I hit that total price breakdown page where the “book now” button is! There is no way I could not know or remember that total cost breakdown page because some of the fees I’ve seen are ABSOLUTELY UNFORGETTABLE.
The prices fees have become ridiculous. However, we are powerless since a majority of other similar competing sites are still more expensive overall in certain countries.
Dispute your credit card transaction for the difference.