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.

[Marie8425 · Accepted solution]

@Eric8077 

Maybe especially if you think done purposely.  Just before you accept send a polite note to the Guest,

Since this is a very soon check in time, we encourage you to monitor the credit card payment to insure accepted.  Airbnb processing is immediate so any difficulties are highlighted in minutes.  Please confirm your receipt of our advisement to avoid disruptions.

Instead of it being your mess to clean up puts it in their court but because you are nice.

[Eric8077]

That's not a bad suggestion.  I know there are ways to embed prewritten messages, but a custom one to that point, I'm not sure.

Those who block the calendar for the full day, never book, and never reply clearly had the intention of screwing me over.  I believe these could very well be friends/acquaintances of prior disgruntled guests.

[Marie8425]

@Eric8077 

My listing clearly says I smoke.

I have when I do turn on Instabook a prewritten message and before I approve any request in person.  

In case allergies please confirm you noted pets and smoking.

Works to eliminate also works when they check in and discover I really do work from home and try the smoke is a problem.  Really?  I mention it lol  I haven't lost that argument yet.

[Eric8077]

You mention specifically that you smoke indoors?

[Marie8425]

@Eric8077 

It says I allow smoking.  It says I have designated areas.  Yes, one of the designated areas is indoors my living room.  It says not suitable for minors because I smoke.  

[Eric8077]

I understand you have designated smoking areas.  I just wonder if you mention part of it is within the residence they'll be staying.  I can see a guest being upset if that is not explicitly stated.

I do not smoke, but I do assign a designated smoking area on the back patio and put an ashtray there.

[Marie8425]

@Eric8077 

I openly discuss with all guests, because I am quite aware it smells.  Funny thing is I rent to usually 3 separate guests’ long term, so a lot are 90 day stays in Arizona for my 4 years this year, I have never had a guest that smokes.  Only me, ha-ha.  I do though and no not a secret.  I just suggest allergies, so the guest doesn't worry about arguments about smell.

[Eric8077]

@Marie8425 That works.  People are given options with Airbnb and that's great.  If ever a guest leaves a negative review about the smell of cigarette smoke, you may have some wiggle room for contesting it since it's already part of the reservation.  It would be like, for example, if a guest rents my room and complains that it's a room and not a whole house.  Irrelevant and unhelpful.  I've contested reviews in the past and had a couple removed.

[Marie8425]

@Eric8077 

The only person who dinged me was An Airbnb Host.  He knew he couldn't say cigarettes but he gave me a 3  on cleanliness lol  Nothing I could do.  I did ask him and he said my house smells like cigarettes so he felt that was his way of being honest.  I said it wasn't honest in my opinion.

[Eric8077]

The cigarette smell when announced ahead of time could potentially be disputed.  Possible exception if it's really strong, but I don't know.

But, otherwise, general complaints and cleanliness or noise aren't something I really have grounds to dispute.  I rent out both my spare bedrooms as separate Airbnbs and one unruly guest can cause the other to leave a ding in the review and it's entirely justified.