So… Here’s the thing. I searched for a holiday property on airbnb and found what we thought to be a great property. One week in August by the sea. Although the host had 0 reviews we were not suspicious as they had only been a member for a few months. So far so good.. Messages start to arrive, we have been pre-approved ( what does that mean ? ) confirm the booking quickly before it expires ?? A few more checks on the small print… everything seems fine , confirm the booking, pay the full amount. All happy, family happy , confirm the dates with work and make the other necessary preparations. ( travel arrangements for all the family )
48 hours go by , I have established direct contact with the host and then…… “ message from host “ Really sorry but I gave the property to a local estate agent and they have just told me that they have a rental for the whole month so.. sorry, but your rental of a week is now cancelled.
Nothing that airbnb can do , host cancelled therefore so is your holiday. Standard aibnb .. we can help you look for another property with a 20% increase. Their offers were not comparable to the original property ( why wouldn’t I have chosen them in the first place ? ) so it’s a refund.
Can I leave feed back , (to warn other potential renters that this host is totally UNRELIABLE ) … No. you can’t leave negative feedback on AirBnB unless you stay at a property, so there is no other way for us to warn people about this on their site.
The only thing that now appears on the hosts page.. ( if you click on reviews ) is The reservation was canceled 28 days before arrival. This is an automated posting
Why do airBnB not make it clear that it was the HOST that cancelled and why. I would probably have stayed clear of this property if I had known.
To airBnB’s credit, they did refund the whole rental amount very quickly and also compensated us for ancillaries that we would have forfeited ( transport to a place that we no longer could go to because our holiday rental had been cancelled ) because they cannot be used if we don’t have the property.
Beware …. You and your family can spend a fortune on tickets and suffer disappointment in your holiday being cancelled.
You have been warned !!
What about when the Host cancels with less time prior to your trip. I have seen cancellations of only 1 day prior to someones stay?? How do you remedy that?
So 4 weeks before you travel your host cancelled? you got an offer of 20% extra on top of your original payment, you took a full refund as the offer of alternative accommodation didn’t suit you or your budget and they gave you extra for the transport.
I am confused why this makes them a bad company?
What happens when an airline cancels your flights or the hotel you turn up too hasn’t actually been built yet.
4 weeks is a decent amount of time to find something else.
So 4 weeks before you travel your host cancelled? you got an offer of 20% extra on top of your original payment, you took a full refund as the offer of alternative accommodation didn’t suit you or your budget and they gave you extra for the transport.
I am confused why this makes them a bad company?
What happens when an airline cancels your flights or the hotel you turn up to hasn’t actually been built yet?
4 weeks is a decent amount of time to find something else.
I was going to book accommodation with airbnb but frequent host cancellations are a real turn off. That leaves you to try and find accommodation of the same value so close to your trip. Good luck with that. I’m guessing you work for airbnb.
Bernadette, I wonder if you have travelled much at all. Your statements are bordering on ludicrous.
“What happens when an airline cancels your flights”
In the states (where AirBnB is HQ’d) then you are protected by the FAA and the airline has to take care of you with finding a new flight and likely putting you up for lodging as well. Outside the states most airlines are similar, except for RyanAir.
“or the hotel you turn up too hasn’t actually been built yet.”
And you have reservations? That’s called fraud, if I’m not mistaken. Either way you’d have a pretty fantastic case for a suit. They certainly wouldn’t be able to just refund your money and send you on your merry (and homeless) way.
AirBnB has it’s benefits. This is one of it’s downsides versus more traditional holiday rentals, plain and simple.