Cancellation by guest

[Lorraine135]

Hello, I have not been hosting long (since April) I have just had a guest cancel.  This is my first cancellation.  She is asking for a full refund as it is still a month until the booking.  My policy is that she gets only half of the rate.  Should I give a full refund?  What is the norm?

Thanks in advance  

Lorraine

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Lorraine135

Whether you provide an additional refund or not is up to you. You should do what you think is right and fair. Some hosts say they think it's wrong to keep money for unstayed nights. Some will refund if the nights are rebooked. Some want the cancellation policy to be respected regardless of how much time there is remaining till the check in date. 

Personally? I'm a "respect the cancellation policy" type host. If hosts end up refunding money regardless of the cancellation policy selected...... it just leads to people expecting to get their money back regardless of what cancellation policy is in place. Imo, people need to learn that "rules are rules". 

[Ute42]

.

Hi @Lorraine135 ,

when You set up Your airbnb account, what was the reason for You to opt for the strict cancellation policy?

To get 50% if someone cancels, right?

Why are You now considering to wave the policy You have selected in the first place?

Pls explain.

[Letti0]

@Lorraine135  I agree with @Ute42 and @Jessica-and-Henry0  why have the policy to refund. She knew in advance your policy and agreed to it. I will if I can rebook the days refund most of the time depending on the persons attitude during the cancellation. 

Also here's some important information to note:

DO NOT CANCEL a reservation, DO NOT ACCEPT any message about cancelling, changing or refunding DECLINE it a loophole that comes back to bite you and gives guests back their service fees and/or voids your cancellation policy (changing dates) or the cancellation is now on you, not the guests. DO NOT REFUND anything until actual cash has been given to you by AirBNB. If you refund they will take the money from you and a lot of times guests get refunded from both AirBnB and you if you do this, then you have a fight to get your money back. Tell the guest you do not deal with the booking funds that is all on AirBnB's end.