host cancellation policy

[Kelly1599]

I forgot to block a night on my airbnb calendar.   A person insta-booked for the next day.  Ten minutes later I realized my error,  in not blocking my calendar, and I canceled the reservation.   Airbnb charged me $135 for a reservation that existed for ten minutes.   The algorithm they use is that if a host cancels within 48 hours of check in, they get charged $135.   This does not take into account when the reservation was made.   I did call and complain but to no avail.   My lesson was to turn off the insta-book option to avoid this from happening again.  This is a really bad policy that airbnb has put in place and truly makes no sense.  Bad business for sure.

[Helen3]

Hi @Kelly1599 

I can't agree . If you choose to use IB you should block out any dates that you can't host . 

And you are not correct Airbnb will always charge hosts who cancel a booking whenever you cancel not just within 48 hours. 

you would have been better asking the guest to cancel explaining your mistake as guests can cancel penalty free within the first 48 hours if booked more than two weeks in advance.