cancellation by airbnb

[Sophie122]

During the night I received to my surprise a message that a confirmed reservation for end July has been cancelled because it doesn't appear to be legitimate. This lady booked one of my apartments for end July and she even came to have a look at it in March! Unfortunately, she lost her job shortly thereafter and for that reason reversed her credit card payment. For this reason airbnb decided to cancel the reservation, resulting in me loosing the cancellation fee. This was obviously not done to preserve the integrity of our marketplace, but for financial reasons. 

So be aware, even a confirmation reservation is not secured.

[Marit-Anne0]

@Sophie122 judging by the posts on the forum, similar things are happening quite often nowadays. It looks like airbnb interpret their extenuating circumstances clause wider to make their customes happy and create goodwill for the future. 

No matter the reasons for cancellation, it is fairly unlikely that this booking would have taken place, the  cancellation would have taken place at a later date.  

I have not gotten any cancellations for July just yet as most prefer to wait and see, but the president of the EU commission has indicated that holiday making and borders crossings this summer is unlikely to take place. Best case, we may be able to travel within our own country. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Sophie122  If Airbnb hadn't cancelled the reservation you wouldn't have been paid for hosting the guest. I really would prefer Airbnb cancelled one of my reservations rather than me not getting paid for hosting someone.

[Roberta2]

Hi @Sophie122 

So the guest reversed the credit card charges.

She basically said she was not going to pay Airbnb for the stay - so Airbnb rightly cancel the booking.

Would you prefer to keep your calendar blocked, and maybe even have the person turning up at your place, and then not receive payment?

I prefer to have the booking canceled!

[Sophie122]

Hi. Maybe I'm naive, but I always thought that a confirmed reservation meant that the guest had paid for the booking.  Have you ever had a person turning up at your place and then not receive payment?