Confused

[Katherine610]

My host accept my reservation so that’s paid.. later on I send a alternate request that was declined. And my host said “ I have declined your alteration request through Airbnb. Due to a technical issue with Airbnb our rates our not appearing correctly. I apologize for this. I have sent a new alteration request for the changes and ask you to review and accept this to finalize the dates.” Can someone explain to me what happens after? I replied to my host and yet no answer back. I haven’t received anything from my host I’m just confused . Do I still have my reservation confirmed? I know it might sound dumb but this is my first time booking here. I just want to make sure me and my family have a place to stay

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Katherine610 It appears that either the host or Airbnb's system has provided you with a rate for your stay that is too low and the host is trying to correct this which is technically not allowed. If the rate was genuinely too low  they may well find some way out of the reservation and leave you with no where to stay. I am not saying this is right (its not unless it was truly an Airbnb glitch).

I guess the best advice is to talk to customer services (ugh) and take their advice. I would be very concerned about staying with a host who has behaved in this way and if you could arrange a mutual cancellation (no cost to either party) and then book a new place it might be best for all.

[Ian-And-Anne-Marie0]

@Katherine610 

  You first need to find the alteration request sent back from your host. Check your email, spam and AirBnb dashboard and AirBnb messages first. If you cannot find anything, message your host again. You could actually telephone the host as you do have their telephone number.

[Sarah977]

@Katherine610  It's generally not okay for the host to change their price after a booking is confirmed, however, there have been many reports lately of pricing glitches on the site. One host posted the other day that her place, which is listed at $70/night, was shown to and booked by the guests at $14/night. This is obviously not something a host can honor, so your issue may be along those lines. 

As others have said, if your host doesn't answer messages, phone calls or texts, you'll have to get in touch with customer support.

[Kelly149]

@Sarah977 it could just be that the alteration isn't being priced correctly...

@Katherine610 do you want the reservation under the first terms? what needed altering??

A host doesn't have to agree to alterations, btw, but barring quite substantial problems they should honor the original IB... best to figure it out before you show up on their doorstep.

[Katherine610]

I have tried to contact the host but yet no reply 

[Katherine610]

@Kelly149 

[Helen3]

You are right  @Mike-And-Jane0 it is not just technically but absolutely not  allowed for a host to try and raise their rates after a booking has been made.

It is the hosts responsibility to ensure they have the correct pricing for any dates they have open for booking. A guest shouldn't be penalised for a host not running their STR properly.

Having said that some hosts have reported technical glitches with pricing recently.

@Katherine610  it is not clear from your post, did the host just deny the extension to your booking. If so, your original booking holds at the price you booked it under.

What reason did the host give for not accepting the extension. If it is simply that the pricing is incorrect you would have thought they would just ask you to withdraw the request so they could update the pricing and then ask you to send another request.

What the host can't do is use this as an opportunity to make you pay a higher rate for the entire stay, just for any additional days you require.

[Katherine610]

 @Helen3 , all I did was add 2more children and well the host declined my request and said “I have declined your alteration request through Airbnb. Due to a technical issue with Airbnb our rates our not appearing correctly.” After that I have tried to contact my host but yet no response. I contact customer service and all I was told was to just wait for a response but that my booking looks like it’s still confirmed they also mentioned that they do not see a new alteration request” that the host said she has send me...

[Helen3]

Ah okay in which case the host in my opinion is not behaving well.

Not having the correct pricing set is not a reason to deny adding two children to the booking unless their space doesn't accommodate an additional two guests.

How long have you had a confirmed booking with the host?

The hosts message makes no sense. If the host doesn't let you add two children you can still travel as the original booking at the price you booked.

However you can't force them to accept two new guests.

I would go back to the host. Say you are sorry their prices weren't set correctly when you booked but you booked and paid on the basis that the listing was advertised including their pricing.  If you want you can offer to pay a higher rate for the new additional guests.

If it is essential that these additional two guests travel then you will probably need to contact Airbnb. Worst case scenario they will cancel penalty free and you can find an alternative listing.

What are these hosts previous guest review like?

[Katherine610]

@Helen3 , my booking has been confirmed since the 15.. there reviews have actually been good that’s why I liked it. 

[Katherine610]

@Helen3 , there where a couple reviews about there Communication and not responding of the host

[Sarah977]

@Katherine610  Well, if you were warned by a couple reviews of non-response by the host, then I'm not surprised you are experiencing this. If I were you, I would contact Airbnb, tell them the host is not responding, you see from the reviews that other guests have had this issue with the host, you have no idea if she is going to honor your reservation or not, etc, and see if you can cancel this booking with a full refund and find another place.

Are you sure that the 2 extra children don't put the booking over the maximum guest count? And the listing says it's suitable for children?