"did you even read my post?"
My apologies @Mike-And-Jane0 .
I replied to @Robbie54 and did a wrong selection of the name.
@Robbie54
"Airbnb themselves have given the option for hosts and guests to cance penalty free due to covid restrictions."
This option is illegal if both party (traveller AND host) does agree to change the terms of the contract (reservation).
However, last spring, Airbnb added new cancellation policies that host could activate which was :
If you have a moderate or strict cancellation policy, guest can be fully repaid (i don't remember about Airbnb fees) if covid cause is selected when cancelling.
And this is legal because the host agrees no to apply his cancellation policy when cancelling for the covid reason.
To make things clear, if the host can still host and agrees to refund, it is legal.
If the host does not agree, Airbnb does not have the right not to apply the contract.
Many hosts did not activate this new cancellation policy (refund when covid reason) because they wanted to have their cancellation policy applied.
"So if a UK guest cancel penalty free using Airbnb's cancellation option is the guest violating South African law? "
I don't know the South African law but it does voilate the contract if the host did not activate the new cancellation policy (refund for covid reason).
Both party (traveller AND host) MUST agree to change the terms of the contract (reservation).
Airbnb did a mistake in refunding guests last spring when hosts could host and travellers could not come).
It is the reason why they were sued.
Keep in mind that some hosts lost their home and are starved if they don't rent or if the cancellation policy is not applied.
Not traveller lose their home because they pay a deposit they agree to pay when booking.
@Ric19840
Just a secret between you and us.
Tell your guests to pay their flight and hotel/rental with a gold amex CB.
There is a travel insurance which works when their are governemental trip restrictions or if their is a cyclone or if the traveller is ill.
Not if the traveller changes his mind or because the sister's cousin on the stepfather side has a cold.
Obviously (unlike Airbnb) real evidences are required to be repaid.
There are plenty of travel insurances. Some are better than others for the same price.
If travellers are dishonnest, they can be repaid by both Airbnb and travel insurance.
They cancel and print that they lost the deposit and send it to the travel insurance.
Then they call Airbnb saying it is a scandal and Airbnb refunds.
Easy scam because Airbnb does not check anything.