Why isn't there a way to automatically cancel same-day reservations when payment isn't made quickly enough?

[Eric8077]

When a reservation request is approved and payment is pending, the guest is always given 24 hours to make a payment.  But, sometimes with same-day bookings, payment stays pending and is never made and I lose money.  Guests should have 30 minutes to pay max or the request should be canceled.  I always have to reach out to Airbnb support and they don't always cancel it.  I strongly feel some guests do this to me on purpose to make me lose money.  There needs to be a way to set a much lower timeframe for same-day bookings.

From my understanding, the only reason bookings are not immediately confirmed is because of declined credit cards.

[Guy991]

Hello @Eric8077 ,

Indeed, there is an old bug in the system in these types of situations, and I strongly advise that you write it as an idea in the suggestion box.

I am not sure they will fix it, but at least you have tried.

I do not believe guests do it on purpose. Sometimes they have issues with their payment method. I had a guest who wanted to extend their stay while they were here, but his payment did not go through. I saw exactly how it looked from his point of view.

[Eric8077]

What would be the bug?  They're always given 24 hours to remit payment.  Do you mean the card being declined is the bug?  I never see the option to cancel it on my end.  Do you mean there should be an option?  I've asked Airbnb support about it several times.

[Helen3]

Personally I don't take same day bookings and this is one of the reasons why.

Airbnb shouldn't accept same day bookings if they aren't able to ensure payment is made before a booking is confirmed @Eric8077 

[Eric8077]

They have to have a credit card on file.  Soon as I accept the booking request, an attempt to charge that card is done.  That's why any and every time it says "Payment Pending", it means their card was declined.  But, rather than setting a 24-hour cap like they do, I think they should make that customizable, especially for same-day and next-day bookings.  I want to give them 30 minutes and that's it for same-day.  For next-day, perhaps a couple hours.

As hosts, this should be customizable for us.  Why wouldn't it be?

I made this post as a reaction to it happening to me again yesterday.  The day lapsed without bookings because the guest never paid and it tied it up for hours.  There was a chance someone else would have booked it.

[Shelley159]

Another reason for a delay is when guest identity still needs to be verified @Eric8077 

If you're using Instant book, you can turn on Require good track record to avoid instant booking by guests who still need to complete the verification process.

[Eric8077]

I never do instant book anymore.  I stopped that within a week or two of starting Airbnb.  It wouldn't be so bad if I were renting a home and not rooms within my own home.

I see the identify verification pending thing, which is also fine, but I think the card is at least charged by then.