Airbnb completely threw their hosts under a bus regarding Covid-19

Airbnb completely threw their hosts under a bus regarding Covid-19

Why exactly are we being told to bear 100% of the financial burden of this? Oh, right, because Airbnb doesn't actually care about the hosts or their financial well being.

 

And we aren't Marriott, or United or Airbnb that will probably get bail outs from the government.  We just get slammed with the fall out.

 

The costs for cancellation should be split 50/50. If the guest took out travel insurance then it won't be an issue for them. It always, always seems to fall on the hosts to eat the costs if there's adverse weather or events and guests want to cancel. It's incredibly frustrating.

596 Replies 596
Sacha81
Level 5
Palm Springs, CA

Hosts should move off Airbnb and find other competitors. This policy is so bad and shortsighted with hosts, it's insane. 

I will raise prices on Airbnb and rewards VRBO guests at lower cost. 

I have split 50/50 % between VRBO and Air@#$  and doing this VRBO split will go to 75% and Air**bleep** will lose half of the revenue.

 

I have a idea we need to come together have a petition to ! protest and fight this ? we have rights ! we never agreed to be use as  a travel insurance!!! we the host  collectively should get  lawyer or professional negotiator I don't mind paying my part the petition doesn't work I'm gone put a petition online soon

In my description say "travel insurance is recommended and we are not responsible for any lost money" 

 and Air#$% still return my money to guests.  ????

I started one.

Heather459
Level 2
Boston, MA

Guest just cancelled an hour before check in because the event nearby cancelled.  What???

Elena2825
Level 2
Oslo, NO

Dear fellow hosts, 

We have to keep pushing airbnb, it has an efffect. Check out the latest tweets from Mr. Chesky:

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/bchesky

 

Let's see what they come up with for us. Keep sharing your frustration with their support team, so It reaches their Leadership. 

 

Sincerely,

Elena.

 

 

Barbara691
Level 2
Sámara, CR

I totally agree. Airbnb is also deducting its percentage from my refunds. Absolutely ridiculous

Michelle-Larry0
Level 4
Washington, United States

Sharing the pain between hosts and guests is the most fair thing to do. 
both parties made a commitment in the face of uncertainty (which exists under all circumstances) so why should hosts bear the full financial burden of an “act of god,” which is neither party’s fault?

 

Really, Airbnb should be offering trip insurance for guests who can choose for themselves if they want to cover themselves. Why hasn’t Airbnb done this obvious thing to protect its hosts and guests?

Best guess: because guests would demand refunds full refunds from Airbnb, not hosts, if they didn’t purchase insurance.

currently, Airbnb can “blame” hosts if they don’t give a full refund “voluntarily” or simply override cancellation policy with their extenuating circumstances.

Either way, hosts lose, Airbnb and guests win. 

Catherine1293
Level 3
Hove, United Kingdom

I am furious about this policy. I am now getting guests that were covered for cancellations with their travel insurance policy cancelling thousands of pounds of reservations instead of claiming on their travel insurance policy. Why would you spend 10 minutes claiming on this rather than just pressing a button which AirBnB have promoted to all guests saying penalty free covid 19 cancellation. It is a disgusting way of treating hosts when we are already reeling from the financial implications of this virus. Such a nasty way to treat hosts and all the cleaners and people that will now lose their jobs as a direct result of this policy.

Piotr48
Level 10
Wrocław, Poland

I don't see a reason to have my place listed on Airbnb anymore since everyone can cancel their reservation for free using Covid excuse despite my strict policy and keep my calendar blocked to the very last minute.

Andrei4
Level 4
Vienna, Austria

I have just found that the Airbnb "refunds" guests their service fee as a coupon for the next trip, not as money. They leave hosts alone with their problems but find it fair a special solution when it comes to their own money... 

 

Capture Airbnb.jpg

Wow!

this has me so FURIOUS. They are pocketing the business for themselves and hanging it's hosts OUT TO DRY

Marcia280
Level 2
Holmes Beach, FL

AirBnB is screwing the host.