Airbnb doesn’t want to refund flights canceled due to weather no available flights to rebook

[Samantha1591]

Hello, the airline cancelled my flights due to severe thunderstorms, and they had no available flights to rebook for that day or the next day.. So I was not able to reach my destination within the time of my trip. The third-party I booked my flights through refunded me for my flights, and my car reservation was refunded as well, since the circumstances are out of my control. The host of the Airbnb we were supposed to stay at during the trip does not want to refund.  Please help, thank you. 

[Marie8425]

@Samantha1591 

Sorry about your weather affecting your trip.  A Host has no control of possible weather conditions a Guest may face and Airbnb will only override the Host's cancellation policy if you can prove life emergency situation for you.  Trip insurance is suggested as a means of protection from something like weather.  Sorry.

Because every Host has different needs, we’ve created several cancellation policies. You can choose the standard and long-term policies that work best for you.*

Standard policies

Your standard cancellation policy is for shorter reservations. It applies to all bookings of fewer than 28 consecutive nights.

• Flexible cancellation policy: Guests can cancel up to 24 hours before check-in for a full refund, and you won’t be paid. If they cancel less than 24 hours before check-in and never check in, you’ll be paid for the first night. If they cancel after check-in, you’ll be paid for each night they stay, plus 1 additional night.
• Moderate cancellation policy: Guests can cancel up to 5 days before check-in for a full refund, and you won’t be paid. If they cancel after that, you’ll be paid for each night they stay, plus 1 additional night and 50% for all unspent nights.
• Firm cancellation policy: To receive a full refund, guests must cancel at least 30 days before check-in. They can also get a full refund within 48 hours of booking if the cancellation occurs at least 14 days before check-in. If they cancel between 7 and 30 days before check-in, you’ll be paid 50% for all nights. If they cancel less than 7 days before check-in, you’ll be paid 100% for all nights.
• Strict cancellation policy: To receive a full refund, guests must cancel within 48 hours of booking, and the cancellation must occur at least 14 days before check-in. If they cancel between 7 and 14 days before check-in, you’ll be paid 50% for all nights. If they cancel after that, you’ll be paid 100% for all nights.

[Helen3]

Whether you get refunded for flights,  car hire or accommodation depends on the cancellation policy you booked under 

What cancellation policy did you book under for the Airbnb .

it would be unfair for you to expect the host to be out of pocket because you couldn't stay.

If you booked a non refundable stay then claim on your travel insurance  @Samantha1591 - that's what it's for.

[Mariann4]

@Samantha1591 This is a matter for your travel insurance, not the host. The host is not your insurance. 

If the place was available and ready there's no reason to refund since you couldn't get there due to travel disruptions. But your insurance can refund you since it was a travel disruption. If it's not considered force majeur that is.

[Elegant-Homes-Retreat0]

Hi @Samantha1591 👋,

So sorry to hear your trip was disrupted by severe weather—that must have been incredibly frustrating. As others have kindly pointed out, this kind of situation, while unfortunate, typically falls under the responsibility of travel insurance, not the host.

To summarize what @Mariann4, @Helen3, and @Marie8425 shared:

✔️ If the listing was available and prepared, the host fulfilled their responsibility—even if you couldn’t arrive due to travel disruption.
✔️ Airbnb follows the host’s selected cancellation policy (Flexible, Moderate, Firm, Strict). If your booking didn’t qualify for a refund under that policy, the host is not obligated to refund.
✔️ Airbnb may only override a cancellation policy in rare cases of verifiable emergencies, and weather delays generally don’t qualify unless extreme.
✔️ Your best option is to submit a claim through your travel insurance, which typically covers trip cancellations due to weather or transportation issues.

You did everything right by contacting the airline and securing those refunds—it’s now worth checking if your credit card or booking service includes trip interruption coverage to help with your accommodation costs too.

Wishing you better travel experiences ahead,

[Patricia2526]

Hi @Samantha1591 

Best to check the host’s cancellation policy on the Airbnb reservation. Some policies (like Flexible or Moderate) might offer partial refunds even close to check-in. Others, like Strict, often do not unless extenuating circumstances apply.