Airbnb Host Referral Scam

[Lauren3071]

I have done a host referral in the past and everything has gone smoothly. This is my second time doing so and everything went well until it was time for me to receive my $720 referral payout. I have emails/notifications saying that the payout has been released but still not been paid. The host I referred got his pay out but I still haven’t. I’ve called customer service probably 20 times but they are pretty much useless.

[Matthew1708]

I'm sorry to hear that you're having trouble receiving your referral payout.

[Thomasina2]

I too am a Superhost who referred my neighbor to the program using the link that I get with each review I complete.  We had problems linking it up, and contacted Customer Service immediately for assistance.  After 34 days of countless phone calls, messages, denials and at least 5 customer service representatives stating "oh, that was a mistake" I am now wanting to escalate this as far as I need to.  They are saying that it isn't a valid referral because he didn't list his entire home, but today I got the message:

Earn $720 for every new Host you refer.  Invite someone that can host their entire place or private room and earn $720 when they list their first qualifying stay."

Do you have any suggestions on what steps to take to file a formal compaint?   I honestly tried to politely but firmly go through their channels of communication, but they won't allow me to speak to someone higher up or escalate it in any way.

Thanks so much!

[Dan14626]

I also referred a friend to be a host after she bought a house with a separate apartment. I am not receiving the stated $720 referral which I was counting on for a future vacation. I am sorry but not entirely surprised to find out this is a bait and switch. Unfortunately, this isn't something that the company will feel much pressure to fix because the affected people are solidly working with established rentals and have little incentive to change platforms, and our words to anyone outside the program won't be a deterrent.

It's just sad and disappointing.

[Diane1374]

Did you ever get a resolution? I’m dealing with this now and considering a class action since Airbnb seems to be scamming so many people with this.

[Benjamin1170]

Absolutely the same idea I had. I host in Green Bay and completed my first host referral last fall of 2022. I've called 11 times and have been told countless different things. Each time I've been told they'd get back to me shortly but am still waiting to this day. I wish there was a call center in the United States I can get ahold of, as each previous call was to someone working put of the country and completely inept/unknowledgeable.

[Jenny]

Hi @Benjamin1170 @Diane1374 

I found this article about the Host Referral Programme which might be useful.  It also includes links to the terms and conditions.  It might be worth having a look through to make sure your referral met the relevant conditions?

Jenny

[Diane1374]

Yes, thank you Jenny. I have met every criteria. I was told by Airbnb that I met all criteria and they were “surprised the money wasn’t in my account yet, but would be there any day” a month ago. Follow ups have led to the chat being closed, or someone new telling me completely contradictory information or just guessing as to why I haven’t gotten the referral money. I am one of thousands of hosts Airbnb is doing this to. There will be a lot of money for a lot of people to recoup in this class action. Threads on this site show Airbnb has been doing this since 2015. The company is very well aware of its practices and is making a huge profit off of it intentionally.

[Bhumika]

Hello @Thomasina2 ,

I came across your post and shared your concern with the relevant team. I hope you receive some communication soon.

We're happy to announce the Month of Celebration!

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[David9595]

I just had the same issue. I have spent over a month trying to get them to look into the issue further and they keep saying the same thing. I just sent an email to some of the top people at Airbnb hoping that may work. 

From what I can tell, either my host referral bonus went to some guy named JP or to the person that Airbnb connected my referral to help her with setting up her listing. Airbnb has not been clear with me about who received the referral bonus and they have changed their story a couple times. 

This is super frustrating! Has any ever gotten one of these cases resolved? 

[Jennifer2923]

I put months of my own time and worked very hard on helping two family members find homes, decorate them and list them.  I am being told that even though Airbnb sent me the offer and my family members used the referral link,  the referral program was on a pause in my region.  I have also been told that I haven't received it because their listings are not complete. Even though they both are active online and have both hosted guests and are getting constant bookings.  Customer service reads a script, refers you to a so called support specialist then they email you a script with some BS policy and tell you they have determined you are wrong and inform you your case has been closed.  At which point you will not be allowed to respond the their messages any longer.

[Helen3]

Hello @Jennifer2923 

If you are spending 'months of your time' helping family members locate properties and set them up for STR then I would suggest you charge these families a consultancy fee for the time you are spending in recognition of your expertise and knowledge around STRs.

The referral fee would barely cover a couple of days of your time.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Lauren3071 Last time you posted (a few days ago) it was $576, now it's $720. Why do I not believe this post I wonder.

[Jennifer2923]

The same thing is happening to me right now!  I believe her 100% I'm reading other forums where it is happening to other hosts.  Something needs to be done!

[Shelly203]

The same thing is happening to me. I referred a host who completed her first booking. It was a 33 night stay. Guest checked out on Sep 1. I still have not been paid and made several calls to Airbnb who inform me the referral expired on Sept 11 so I’m not getting paid despite the guest checking out 10 days prior. The referral link in my account after she checked out said referral was completed and would be paid in 14 days. Then they expired the referral and refuse to pay me. They’re saying it’s a “computer glitch” they can’t fix and have no means to pay. I call every day and then receive a message shortly after that the case is closed. I’ve asked for a supervisor to call me. Nothing. This was a $3000 booking. I’m furious. Has anyone has successful resolution?  This is a scam! 

[Thomasina2]

I too am a Superhost who referred my neighbor to the program using the link that I get with each review I complete.  We had problems linking it up, and contacted Customer Service immediately for assistance.  After 34 days of countless phone calls, messages, denials and at least 5 customer service representatives stating "oh, that was a mistake" I am now wanting to escalate this as far as I need to.  They are saying that it isn't a valid referral because he didn't list his entire home, but today I got the message:

Earn $720 for every new Host you refer.  Invite someone that can host their entire place or private room and earn $720 when they list their first qualifying stay."

Do you have any suggestions on what steps to take to file a formal compaint?   I honestly tried to politely but firmly go through their channels of communication, but they won't allow me to speak to someone higher up or escalate it in any way.  He has now had 4 or 5 bookings completed and I have heard the excuses:  "it had to be an entire home, the link you used didn't work and there is no way to manually fix it, the program isn't for your area (except the next person says it is), etc. etc."  This seems like grounds for a class action suit. I have two other people wanting me to mentor them in listing their house, but I certainly will not be doing it now.

Thanks so much!

[Lauren3071]

I commented on a girls post who’s referral amount was $576. Mine has always been $720 if you took the time to actually read

[Sudsrung0]

@Lauren3071 

Its seems like airbnb are not the only ones not paying for referrals 

Bye the way I never got paid from airbnb and we refereed loads,

I have another platform that owes me 100 GBP referral bonus not arrived yet, 

[Helen3]

Wow insulting people isn't a great way to ask for hosts to give up their time and help you for free (I made the same error because rather than starting your own post you tagged your question onto someone else's post) @Lauren3071