AirBnB host declining my alteration unless I change my booking dates

[Victoria770]

I was planning a trip w my husband for a 7 night stay, however, 3 weeks out from check-in, I submitted an alteration reducing the stay to 2 nights, then changed it to 4 nights after she reminded me she has a 4 night minimum stay policy. Per the host's cancellation policy I would be charged 50% of the remaining 4 cancelled nights since I am more than 48 hours out from booking but more than 1 week away from check-in. She declined my 4 night alteration request and says she "won't be able to book the remaining nights with such short notice" (which I don't see as my financial responsibility, especially given I'm very well within her clearly written cancellation policy).

After declining, she messaged me to ask how many of the 4 nights I would be staying, and if I was willing to bump my 4 night stay up a day to include a night we did not originally book. It's obvious she's doing this to maximize her profit, possibly even double book since she seemed interested in how many of the 4 nights  I would be staying. I am very upset I am being manipulated to change my reservation because she otherwise would charge me the entire reservation in full, even though I am following by her cancellation policy rules. I am accepting the change but contacted AirBnB about this irregular behavior. It is being escalated up. Is there another suggestion as to what I can do about this? At the end of the day I just want some of my money back.

[Emiel1]

@Victoria770 

An alteration is not a cancellation. If this communication with the host is in your message system, i think Airbnb will contact the host for a solution. Maybe wait for the outcome first.

[Lisa723]

@Victoria770 if the host has a four-night minimum and your reservation is bookended by other reservations then if you reduce your stay from seven nights she mathematically can't rebook the remaining nights; whereas if you outright cancelled she might be able to rebook. She does have the right to decline your alteration request, so it seems she is trying to compromise with you. If I were in her place I would send you an offer to reduce your stay to the nights you actually want, at the estimated actual cost to my business of having held the remaining nights for you until now.