While I appreciate that Airbnb is giving the guests full refunds, it’s not fair that your policy gives some hosts support while leaving others empty-handed.
We have had between 2 and 3 units on our property listed since we started hosting in 2013. We have over 700 reviews at an average of 4.8. We have received super-host status 19 times.
Under your current policy, people who have strict cancellation policies will keep ~25% of the original payout amount, while those of us who chose a moderate policy to give our guests the flexibility to change their travel plans are the ones who end up getting nothing from this policy. For us, we only have the potential to earn 12.5% of the original payout amount, and ONLY if the guests wait until 5 or fewer days before the trip to cancel.
It seems that Airbnb has always encouraged hosts to choose more flexible cancellation policies to “encourage more bookings.” In my opinion, this is less work for everyone involved and feels fairer to the guests. So why are we being punished for trying to make all of our lives easier, give the guests more control, and not take up time from the support staff?
We have had 22 guest cancellations (124 nights) so far that specifically mentioned COVID 19 as the reason for the cancellation and our earnings are now $0 for all of those reservations.
