Cancelling a booking

[Tom385]

I have two Airbnb accommodations and have been a superhost for three years now. I am probably going to have to cancel a booking for October and am wondering if there’s anyway I can do this and still remain a superhost?

[Tom385]

I should have said that my reason for canceling is that the owners of the building that the accommodation is in have sold it and we can no longer use it. I am happy to transfer the booking to my other Airbnb accommodation but the guest is saying they want me to cancel the booking and then they will rebook with my other accommodation. 

[Helen3]

Hi @Tom385 

You can't transfer bookings between listings. If this was available some unscrupulous hosts (not suggesting you would) would 'switch and bait' to inferior properties.

Obviously you need to firstly block out any dates that you know will be unavailable in the listing  that is being sold so you don't get further bookings. (It's a shame the owner didn't let you know earlier that they were selling so you could have avoided this situation).

If upcoming guest has indicated through messaging they are happy to move to your alternative accommodation, then Airbnb may transfer it for you. If not I'm afraid you may need to take the hit and lose your superhost status and pay the penalty I'm afraid.

[Jeff158]

@Tom385 

You can transfer bookings to another listing, use the change/cancel button on the reservation and you'll have the option to move the booking to the other listing, "BUT" the guests have to accept the change.

Perhaps reduce the price a little when sending the change.

[Emilia42]

@Jeff158  @Tom385 

That's a good idea. "Upgrade" the guest to your other listing for a reduced price. Or maybe offer a free additional night. It will be in the guest's favor to rent the other space.

[Helen3]

Thanks for clarifying @Tom385  I think being able to transfer between listing must be fairly new as I don't remember seeing it before.

However in this case @Tom385  has already said the guest doesn't want him to do this and wants him to cancel so this may not be an option.

[Emilia42]

@Tom385, selling of a home may be considered an extenuating circumstance. You should call Airbnb and try it. I've transferred guests between my listings a few times as an "upgrade" when/if a problem occurs. You can do this by following the prompts after clicking change/cancel. But of course the guest has to agree to it and accept the change. I wouldn't be so quick to cancel this guest on your own. Talk to Airbnb about it first.

[David6]

@Emilia42 

Agree. I would discuss with Airbnb.

 @Tom385 If your message thread shows the guest has said they are willing to rebook once you have cancelled the booking, Airbnb will be more likely allow your cancellation with no penalty. Especially as you have a valid reason. 

[Tom385]

Thanks to all all of you for your assistance. I will contact Airbnb and explain the problem.