Accepting a change from a guest taking them outside the cancelation period.

[Fiona332]

Yesterday I had a guest request to change her booking  1 night only in 5 days time to a date 3 weeks away. If she cancelled she would lose her money being 5 days from date of travel. Call me cynical but my bet is on her cancelling and getting her money back. I accepted the change of date in good faith as she has great reviews and herself a host. I have already lost out by her request for a change of date at such a late date. Also the date she has changed to the price is less being mid season compared to high season of her original booking. If she cancels this change can I bill her. This is her 2nd change of date! 

[Elena87]

@Fiona332

I'd be cynical as well as it is a loophole that guests can use to shift a booking from inside a cancellation period to outside then walk away penalty free after cancelling the amended booking.

You can't bill the guest though as you suggest.

Usually genuine amendments in my experience, is a day or two added or taken from a booking, not a wholesale shift of dates.

You can reconsider your overall cancellation policy to something stronger or decide to reject amendment requests if you think you are being gamed and suggest to a guest that they cancel and rebook, with a refund returned only if you refill the room on the original date.

The cancellation policy is supposed to protect hosts from last minute changes.

Hopefully it's a rare occurance when the guest takes advantage of the amendment loophole to avoid their responsibilities. A one night booking hopefully won't be missed much too.

[Fiona332]

Thanks Elena, reassuring you would refuse. 

When she requedted the change I had 2 vacant nights after and it has now been  filled with a 3 day booking ( reduced rates) so  all good.

As she has rebooked a Saturday 3 weeks away, if she cancels I should be able to rebook being a Saturday so will end up quids in.

So made the right call, but she hasn't yet cancelled so hopefully was right to give her the benefit of the doubt.

[Helen3]

Hello @Fiona332

I would refuse the request to amend the booking and say if she can no longer travel, then she needs to cancel. And that if you are able to get another booking for the date, you would be happy to refund her for the host part of the booking fee.

Say if the date she now wants is available you are happy for her to make a new booking for the date.

[Fiona332]

Thanks Helen,

so far so good vacated night rebooked and she has not cancelled (yet) but reassuring that you would have refused the request.