cancelation

[Pim36]

Hello! I am a guest and booked a reservation in Budapest for 5 nights in September. Because of the border closure from the 1st of September, we cannot travel there. I asked the host if possible to refund but she is unwilling to provide refund referring to her strict cancelation policy. As we have no option  to travel there and it is out of our power, i am losing a lot of money because of this. I try to ask very nicely and asked to be understandable but she is unwilling. I understand she is protected by the policy but this was also not our fault and Airbnb cannot do anything (already reached out). Has anyone had the same issue or can provide any help? 

I was thinking about an alternative solution to get back some money at least: to change the reservation to a future date and for 1 night only. Her calendar is empty and has no future bookings. In case she rejects this change, would there be a valid reason or i have the right to change the number of nights?

Thank you for all your answers.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Pim36 I think it would be easier if you claimed on your travel insurance.

[Pim36]

I do have a travel insurance but cancelation insurance is unfortunately not included in my package.

[Anonymous]

@Pim36  Any changes to the booking have to be approved by the host. Unfortunately, you can not unilaterally alter your booking to a 1-night stay.

if you placed your booking before March 14, you should be eligible for a refund under the Extenuating Circumstances clause. But if you booked after this date, it's assumed that you booked in full awareness that your plans could be thwarted by the global pandemic, so there's no reason that the host's cancellation policy shouldn't apply to you.

[Emiel1]

@Pim36

If booked after 14 March:

The only option you have is the goodwill of the host.

If you can make the trip later, maybe the host is willing to reschedule the total(!) trip.

Otherwise cancel and except only the cleaning fee (if any) is refunded.

Added @Pim36 :

If you travel very soon to the  capital Sofia, you maybe have seen on the news there is protesting and violence on the streets.

If you cancel, you could try to claim refund for "extenuating circumstances" (not Covid related):

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1339/how-do-i-file-an-extenuating-circumstances-claim