Made a reservation to a property through Airbnb with host Island Park Reservation LLC. This was a planned stay to visit Yellowstone National Park. Been to the park many times and rented properties with outstanding hosts. Well as reported on the news Yellowstone National Park had a 1000-year flood that the washed-out road, and landslides, and the NPS closed the park. We watch the news and NPS webpage on a status where first "closed indefinitely" then "still closed with hazardous conditions" and other reasons not to go to the park this year. So we decided to cancel our reservation 7 weeks prior to the date reserved. This is where the host and Airbnb failed us as users of this service. The host first in an email and then on the phone that "you will not get a refund" . No service no refund really.
I contacted Airbnb and because of the 1000-storm in it would be qualified for the Extenuating Circumstances Policy.
Overview
This Extenuating Circumstances Policy explains how cancellations are handled when unforeseen events beyond your control arise after booking and make it impracticable or illegal to complete your reservation. This Policy applies to reservations for both accommodation and Experiences.
When this Policy allows for cancellation, it controls and takes precedence over the reservation’s cancellation policy. Guests that are impacted by an event covered by this Policy can cancel their reservation and receive, depending on the circumstances, a cash refund, travel credit and/or other consideration. Hosts that are impacted by an event covered by this Policy can cancel without adverse consequences, but, depending on the circumstances, their calendars may be blocked for the dates of the cancelled reservation.
Here is Airbnb's definitions for extenuating circumstances.
Natural disasters. Natural disasters, acts of God, large-scale outages of essential utilities, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and other severe and abnormal weather events.
We consider the 1000-flood an abnormal weather event.
Yes so beware of Island Park Reservation LLC if you are booking a property.
My solution is three-fold I will contest my credit card, file a complaint with Idaho State Attorney General and use my sources of social media to express my opinion of this property.
Here is Airbnb's reply to me "it unfortunate", "we are sorry" and we have no control over the host to refund your money.
I have family members that are Super Host with their properties and say giving 7-week notice and under the situation of safety, they would understand and have refund guest money many times because it's the right thing to do. He was even shocked that Airbnb would not solve the situation based on their policy.
So if anyone makes a reservation with Island Park Reservation LLC choose a host that is "Superhost".
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