Is this allowed?

[Melvin71]

I got a request for an additional $680 through the resolution center. I feel this was hidden and deceptive. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Melvin71 whilst I don't agree with this practice it is only hidden from guests who do not read the listing. You agree to the house rules when you book so you really should read them.

[Elaine701]

Many people book solely on the basis of photos. Never read the description. Ignore any messages on the message system pointing out important considerations and/or house rules.

In the end, it often becomes the host's fault, resulting in bad reviews, demands for reimbursement, abrupt cancellations, or all of the above. And more often than not, Airbnb will rule in favour of the guest in such disputes, even when the guest was irrefutably negligent. 

So, @Melvin71 ,  while I agree that these extra charges are questionable as a policy (I don't know what you paid for the base rental, perhaps it was super cheap?), you can probably just tell Airbnb you don't agree, and never have to pay it, even though you apparently ignored the host's ruleset which you were technically bound to comply with when you booked it. 

...although the relationship with the host will now become adversarial, so you may wish to reconsider whether you want to even stay there.

Cancel. You'll probably get it all refunded, if you complain to Airbnb. It's the ❤. 

[Elena87]

@Melvin71 

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2827/what-is-the-airbnb-policy-for-collecting-fees-in-person

Airbnb only authorizes these fees to be collected if they’re detailed in the listing description and included in the price breakdown before guests book.

• Resort fee: Resort fees often cover the cost of a property’s amenities, like pool, gym, or wifi use

This usually applies only to hotels and software-connected hosts.

In the house rules it states that there is an extra charge but this broad range of 75 to 1200 dollars seems way too equivocal to be allowable. 

[Anonymous]

@Melvin71  I agree with @Elena87 here that the range of the resort charge looks super dodgy, even though it appears to be technically allowable. But you might be in a bit of a pickle, because the rules that you agreed to when you booked clearly state that it's the guest's responsibility to inquire about the fee amount. When you see that an extra fee could be as much as $1200, you really have to ask about that before you book. Now that the reservation is confirmed, the process of getting out of it is a lot more complicated. 

It's possible that the place you booked is a scam. Would you mind posting a link to the listing? It seems to me that if this place is genuine, previous guest reviews would have commented on the hefty fee.

[Sarah977]

@Melvin71  Apart from this perhaps being a scammy listing, as far as the info being "hidden"- no, it isn't. It was visible for you to read before booking by clicking on House Rules, which all guests should do before deciding to book a place.

Hosts are hampered by the way Airbnb displays things, cluttering up the layout of our listing page with pointless things, necessitating guests having to click on "Read More", but that, in fact, is a guest's responsibility+ to thoroughly read all the info provided.