Hosting refunds

[Julie372]

I have just had a guest cancel a booking 8 days out.   According to my policy I am entitled to a part payment, however I have decided to give a full refund.  It asks me to pay cash.  How does this work if I havent received payment as yet, I want to make sure I am not out of pocket.

Any advice would be welcomed.

Cheers Julie

[Brian2036]

@Julie372 

Do not pay cash.

Airbnb has the guest’s money and they can return it to the guest.

Just be sure that the guest cancels the reservation, not you, or you could be subject to a penalty.

[Colleen253]

@Julie372 Once the guest cancels, you should get a message from Airbnb wherein you are given the option to ‘refund in full’. This authorizes Airbnb to return all the money to the guest, minus their service fee of course. You are correct not to send the guest any money yourself, as you have not received the payout.