Should guests carry any burden of the Coronavirus cancellations?

[Inna22]

When my guests booked they knew I had strict policy. This covered anything that happened unless my fault. I promise I did not cause Coronavirus. So this is not my fault. I also took a chance- I am sure I get fewer bookings because of my policy. But this is not casual extra for me, I need to pay mortgage, taxes, college tuition for my child etc etc. I opted for less income but sure one. When guests cancel and get full refund, this is extra money for them. They have already spent in on a trip, not an item. They were never getting anything tangible back that they are not now. So this is sunk cost. All they are not getting is an experience. Why then this should be solely on the hosts? I know airbnb wants to please guests. I just wonder how many of us will not be able to survive this. There are stories on the news about poor guests who did not get to go on this wonderful trip and now need to pay. Where are the stories of hosts who scramble to get their next mortgage paid now?

[Taryn3]

I couldn't agree with you more. I have properties that are solely on Homeaway and solely on airbnb, and I couldn't hate AIRBNB more.  Homeaway treats their hosts way better. the app and website is harder to maneuver, but they stand behind their hosts and hosts cancelation policy. why are the hosts not covered by the extenuating circumstance policy? without hosts these companies wouldn't have a business. 

[Sheila22]

Home Away is much better to Hosts, and has been much better to Hosts during this COVID-19 time.  Home Away respect Host's autonomy and respects that the contract is between the Owner and Traveller and does not override that contract ever.  However, Home Away has not stepped up to the plate developing a modern business model and application.  Their interface is clunky and it's impossible to get help when you run into a glitch (for instance my listing is not activitated right now and I don't know why, but I every time I try to call I'm on hold so long I jut give up).  For this reason it is not great for Hosts, but Renters, who are used to smooth-running platforms have zero tolerance for that. So Airbnb has way more of the market (in terms of renters using their site).  I don't know why Home Away can't get it together.  I would much rather prefer to use them.

[Taryn3]

I completely agree. I have properties that are solely on Homeaway and solely on airbnb, and I couldn't hate AIRBNB more.  Homeaway treats their hosts way better. the app and website is harder to maneuver, but they stand behind their hosts and hosts cancelation policy. why are the hosts not covered b y the extenuating circumstance policy? without hosts these companies wouldn't have a business. 

[Taryn3]

I would join a ban tomorrow. I have 11 properties on airbnb and they have COMPLETELY screwed me. despite the years of money we have made each other, this is not ok. it is absolutely not ok to do this to your hosts. I have nearly EVERY SINGLE RESERVATION cancel. I wont even be able to pay my mortgages if this continues. for them to completely side with the guests is absurd and in my eyes unethical considering their business model. they are the only company that is giving full refunds to guests. 

[Sheila22]

Where would we go?  Isn't there some tech venture capitalist who can literally make exactly the same application as Airbnb, but have a culture that would be more respectful to Hosts and take seriously honoring terms of agreements.  Also, could coordinate with a travel insurance company to make travel insurance available upon booking -- as Airlines do (but if you opt out, you understand you take full risk should unforeseeable event occur).  I think just recreate pretty much the same business model and platform except for these slight differences.  It would be great if Airbnb had some real competition.  If only.

[Thomas977]

Please sign petition http://chng.it/Sj9nRW7VDn (AirBNB's UNFAIR treatment of HOSTS amid COVID-19)

[Inna22]

@Thomas977 do you know the person that wrote it? Perhaps they can revise typos, take out exclamation points and use some of the wonderful thoughtful messages from these boards so it does not look like angry and primitive (we are all angry but we need to be smart about what we put forward as a petition. After being rewritten, this should be a new thread so thousands of us see it and sign.

[Thomas977]

@Inna22  Amay-Elisabeth0 started the petition earlier in this thread. At least it feels good to try to do something...

[Inna22]

@Thomas977 I tried tagging her but I couldn’t. It is definitely a smart move and I would like to thank her. She just needs to take out typos and make it a little more professional versus passionate. In case it goes viral, which I hope it would, this way it would appeal and make sense to anyone reading it.

[Thomas977]

@Inna22 https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Hosting/Airbnb-completely-threw-their-hosts-under-a-bus-regardin...

[Alex---Michael0]

Let us all switch to Homeaway!

[Alex---Michael0]

Let us all switch to Homeaway!

[Sarah977]

@Alex---Michael0  "Us all" excludes private-room hosts. VRBO/Homeaway only lists entire homes.

[Taryn3]

I have properties that are solely on Homeaway and I completely agree. Homeaway treats their hosts way better. the app and website is harder to maneuver, but they stand behind their hosts. without hosts these companies wouldn't have a business. 

[Jason409]

They are so lame for doing this

[Jason409]

Small claims court on monday