Host asks guest to makes cancellation to avoid penalty

[Michael-and-Mei-Su0]

I made a booking and was accepted. The host then messaged me to say he had made a mistake and the room was no longer available. He then asked me to cancel so he could aviod a penalty and said he would refund any booking fees under his 'moderate' cancellation policy. I refused to do this. He is insisting that I should cancel. How do I get my money back?

[Clare0]

Contact Airbnb at the number on your itinerary.  Hosts try to pull this stunt all the time and Airbnb takes dim view of this kind of action. 

Don't cancel!