Acommodation charges plus deposit questions

[Robyn94]

I am brand new to Airbnb. I am taking a trip to Washington DC and would like to use Airbnb but I am confused on how payment words as it relates to the cost of the acommodation and the deposit. For example, if the room is $100.00 per night and the security deposit is $200 dollars, do you have to put $300 dollars down for the room? Or is the Security deposit only taken out if damages were done but you don't have to come up with the $200.00 up front? I hope this makes sense. Thank you for any input.

[Lawrene0]

You can type "security deposit" into Help at the top of your screen when you are signed in to your Airbnb account, @Robyn94, but since it is a bit vague, here you go: In your example, you need only pay the $100 for the room. You pay that at the time you book. (The host does not get it until a day or so after you check in.) The $200 security deposit is a hold of that amount on your credit card, but it never gets charged. Never, that is, unless you do something terrible, but I assume you have no plans for that 🙂

Does that help?

[Robyn94]

Thank you, @Lawrene0, I appreciate the explanation. I do wonder how long before they take the $200 hold for the security deposit off your debit card account. I am planning a 3 week vacation to the New England States, and I think the security deposits would add up to a fairly decent amount of money. I need to make sure that I will have money available for my time there that isn't tied up. If that makes sense. Thank you so much for your input. It's very appreciated.

[Helen3]

Hi @Robyn94

As @Lawrene0 mentioned in her post the deposit doesn't actually get taken against your card. It is only ever used if you damage a property, then a host can ask Airbnb to use some/all of it, if the damage can be proven.

Did you have a look at information about security deposits on the Help Centre that Lawrence directed you towards? Do have a look and if you need any further clarification, do feel free to give Airbnb a call. Their contact details are at the top of the forum you are posting in in a post entitled Contact Airbnb.

[Robyn94]

Hi @Helen3,

Thank you, yes I did look and I understand how it works now. I appreciate both of you ladies for helping me. I am excitely planning my trip. 

Have a good day!

Robyn