Shady host requesting money outside Airbnb

[Juliana207]

My boyfriend booked a place where the price for 1 or 2 guests was the same. He booked it first and then added me. After that the host asked him for more money outside Airbnb. Now we don’t want to stay there anymore because the host looks shady but if we cancel, Airbnb will charge us the booking fee. My boyfriend contacted Airbnb and they were helpless. They said we can initiate a dispute for that fee after cancellation but how can we be so sure we will win the dispute then.... any advice?

[Matthew285]

@Juliana0, 

the support person is correct: if you want to cancel, you have to cancel.

Otherwise, you have a reservation that the host is required to provide at the price you already paid.

If the hosts asks for more money, say "No."

If that causes the *host* to cancel, then you are free to book elsewhere.

If the host doesn't cancel, then you get to use your reservation at your original price.