cancellation

[Cristiano155]

I have just cancelled a reservations as a host, with instant booking, and still the dates are blocked? Why? And why do they say that instant booking cancellations are penalty free? I will have to pay a fee next reservation. But Instant booking says it is penalty free. I have cancelled meore thant 3 days in advance and changed a few settings so as not to allow too short stays, but still got a penalty? Can this penalty be removed? And the dates are blocked... and many other guests are wainting to confirm in these dates. 

[Katrina79]

@Cristiano155 You have to contact Airbnb to cancel the reservation for you. You get to cancel 3 per year penalty free and they ask why you want to cancel, for me it’s always because of previous negative reviews. After your 3 free cancellations you get charged $50 penalty and those dates get blocked on your calendar. 

[Cristiano155]

Thank you @Katrina79 this is my first ever cancellation and yet the dates are blocked and a penalty has been issued... there are many interested guest for the same period and most for a longer stay, more attractive ... I think I misunderstood the rules of instant booking, as I all of a sudden one of many potential guests had a confirmed reservation. I though I had to check and approve, but suddently all I could do was to cancel. 

[Katrina79]

@Cristiano155 @You’re welcome, we all learn the ins and outs of hosting in Airbnb in time! Now I suppose you should try to book in another guest, they can book the nights showing available on your calendar and you could request the cost of the additional nights that are blocked through the resolution Center. Once the potential guest books you will see the option to “request money” from them. I think this is the only way to make the scenario work out now. 

[Sarah977]

@Cristiano155  Instant Book means a guest simply books without a host's approval. You don't get a chance to read their reviews nor communicate with them before their booking is confirmed.

If you don't want that, turn off Instant Book. If you want to leave it on, make sure to choose the requirements available to you for IB guests.

I suggest you take some time to read through all the articles for hosts on the Help section of the main Airbnb site. 

If you don't understand the difference between IB, requests, and inquiries, or how cancellations work, there are probably other things that you'll get caught out on. 

It's a big learning curve, so study up as much as you can.