Airbnb service fee refund policy is ridiculous. And when I booked, I didn't realize that the portion of service fee is not refundable. It is just said I am fully refunded as long as I cancel within the host free cancellation frame.
Airbnb deducted the full amount from my credit card on the day I booked at a very unreasonable foreign exchange rate. If I couldn't even ask it to charge at local currency and can't get my interest back (i booked for two months). How could they keep the full amount of the service fee, based on a percentage of my 4 days booking. Too ridiculous! I was totally shocked when I realized it only when I have to cancel the booking. I would feel better if this amount goes to the host. It is a shame to keep the business in this way.
At cancellation, it also has the reminded message: "We know that cancellations are sometimes unavoidable, but they also have a financial impact on hosts like xxx who have spent time preparing for your arrival."
Of course I have a reason to cancel even losing the money of Airbnb service fee. but they still want to make me feel bad.
I think I won't book with Airbnb again unless I need a room at last minute. A lot of hosts open their places on booking.com and other booking website anyways.