@Elise410 Not that it’s relevant but at no point did I say I don’t like hosting. I must like it, as I do it. Fact remains, most guests don’t avail themselves of the knowledge that is there for their reading pleasure, like you and the OP. You stated yourself the double booking policy was there, you just didn’t click all the way through. If you were handed a paper contract and only read the first page, it would still be on you that you didn’t read all of it.
As I’m a host, I’m fully aware of where the service fee goes. Without service fees, Airbnb could not have a platform through which they market to you the listings you booked. So you paid for that, and also the transactions related to the two bookings.
You paid for, and received, service from Airbnb. And the policy is clear that you won’t get a refund of the SF if you have overlapping bookings.
I understand that you booked and then cancelled almost immediately, and I don’t believe you ARE out to swindle anyone. But the policy is what it is, and I’m not sure why you would expect that Airbnb would bend it at the whim and pleasure of every guest for every different situation under the sun. Best of luck with your class action though!