Alteration request

[Samantha229]

Hey guys!!!

I have a question. 

I booked an AirB&B and got a great price for Mardi Gras 2019. The host submitted an Alteration request about a half an hour later upping my original booking price by almost $2,000.00 dollars. I obviously declined the request. 

He sent me a message stating that he admittedly saying that he didn't realize/change his pricing due to it being Mardi Gras. He asked that I either accept the new price, or book somewhere else.

I feel like it's not my issue that they made a mistake. Is there anyways I can keep this reservation? Does the host have a way to cancel my reservation on their end? I just don't want to book my flight tickets if I'm going to get screwed.

While I totally understand we all make mistakes, I also feel I shouldn't be penalized by upwards of $2,000.00.

Thoughts? 

[Marie405]

Hi @Samantha229, keep your booking and you don't need to cancel.  You booked the place for the price the listing stated.  It's the Host's responsibility to make sure their price is accurate.  And it's not right to just raise it.  You'll pay a penalty for cancelling a booking while a host will be punished and lose the days you booked if they cancel.  Let the host do the cancelling to which I highly doubt they would. 

[Emiel1]

Hello @Samantha229 ,

It is the host who fails here. It is against Airbnb terms to change the confirmed price, just because wanting  more money ! So you could report the host to Airbnb and the host will be in trouble. Yes, the host can cancel the reservation, but than he gets penalties from Airbnb (the host knows that). So if you can't work it out with the host, contact Airbnb.

Contact Airbnb - A Community Help Guide [UPDATED]

Best regards, Emiel

[Sandra126]

Jusat be aware that since this host isn't strong on scruples, they will likely  pay the $100 and cancel your reservation. Start looking around for somewhere else as a backup plan. You might need it. Sorry to be a downer, but if host thinks they should get that much more they won't baulk at 100.

[Lisa723]

Sandra, won't the host be blocked from booking those dates again if they cancel? That is my understanding.

[Matthew285]

@Lisa723, @Sandra126 the host will be blocked from booking those dates *on AirBnB* if they cancel.

The host could try to fill those dates on another booking platform.

Or they could try to lie to AirBnB customer service to try to get a "penalty-free" cancellation.

It is actually impossible to tell how likely it is that the host will try to cancel.

There is no guarantee for the host that any alternative plan will succeed, but we don't really know what is going on in the mind of the host.