Guest left early due to evacuation warning because of cal fires

[Nez-and-Brent0]

Hi All, 

Our guests have left early due to an evacuation warning in our area (not mandatory) fires are burning everywhere in California right now. We have historically reimbursed our guests when there have been fires as we feel it's the right thing to do but what is the actual policy around it? Are we obligated to refund? offer a credit? Obviously the latter would be better for us. Let me know if you have any insights or have been in a similar situation. 

Thank you!

Nez

[Linda108]

@Nez-and-Brent0   Given the current climate (pun intended) at Air BNB, if a guest requests a refund for unused nights, Air  BNB will take a glance at the news about fires in California and deem it extenuating circumstance and therefore override your cancellation policy. So, you can continue to generate good guest karma by agreeing to a refund (or possibly a credit if that works) or risk negative reviews by declining refunds that Air BNB will probably override.  😞

[Ute42]

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@Linda108    @Nez-and-Brent0    

Replace „that Air BNB will probably override“ by „that Air BNB will most likely override“

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Nez-and-Brent0 Has the guest asked for a refund? I might agree to one but I certainly wouldn't offer one if not asked.

[Nez-and-Brent0]

@Mike-And-Jane0 @Ute42 @Linda108 

Thank you all so much. I ended up issuing a refund but I agree I will not offer one if not asked in the future. I feel a bit dumb but I felt bad for them but it's a loss of revenue for us and would have been more confortable with a credit if they asked. You live you learn and thank you all for the feedback!

[Debra300]

@Nez-and-Brent0,

I think you actions will create more goodwill than reacting to a refund request.  The guests are more likely to either re-book with you or recommend your place to others.

[Nez-and-Brent1]

Thank you so much Debra!

[Teresa1470]

I have been getting many inquiry's from Oregon residents wanting to get away from smoke and fires.  I have a couple of fires in my area.  My residence is currently "safe" but smoke and fire can change coarse at the drop of a hat.  I would like to keep an update on my listing, so potential guests can have an update on the AQI and information to search info about the fire.  I have had to remove my listing description (which has limited characters available) to make this info available to potential guests.  I want to make sure they are informed about the situation before they book.  I wish there was an alert box that could be placed on the listing that can be used for such situations that would not take away from the description.🔥