Host cancelations

[Anthony263]

I booked a property through AirBNB. The booking was confirmed and I was charged for the reservation. Then the host summarily canceled the reservation claiming a mistake in listing it. This should not be allowed. I certainly have never booked a property and paid a deposit (or in this case the full rental fee) anywhere on any other booking site where the renter was then able to just cancel the reservation. I realize I get a refund but my money was withdrawn immediately when the reservation was made and now because of processes I am told I may have to wait up to two weeks for a refund to appear. Not to mention that I have to go back out and search for a replacement rental. This is a real disservice to AirBNB users. This should not be allowed. It certainly makes me nervous to ever use AirBNB again. How can I rest assured that a renter wont just decide to cancel my reservation because they feel they can get more money or for whatever reason and leave me high and dry like this. Isn't that the equivalent of bookign a reservation at a hotel and then having the hotel call you up and say "Hey I know you have a reservation but I just decided to cancel. Sorry."  I see this as a VERY VERY  big flaw in the AirBNB model and one that makes it highly unlikley I would ever use AirBnB again.

[Lawrene0]

If it helps at all, @Anthony263, the host cannot now make any money at all on that time period. It will be blocked by Airbnb. Also, the host will have to pay a penalty to Airbnb, lose any chance at Superhost status for a year, and the cancellation will be noted on the listing for all to see. 

I know that is small comfort to you when you expected the booking to be honoured. Because of the penalties, it rarely happens, but perhaps the host was very new or had not updated the listing calendar. It is likely you would not want to stay with such a careless host, anyway. 

I hope you do not give up. I was cancelled on once as well, and it was inconvenient to say the least. But I have had many good stays with many great hosts, and I am glad I didn't give up. 

[Anthony263]

Thanks for the input. I understand that this is a hopefully a small incident and I do understand that AirBnB has penalties for cancelations. However that is small concelation really to renters who expect their reservation to be honoured. I may continue to use AirBnb for occasional getaway travel, but now knowing this is their model, I would certianly never use them from business travel or holiday or other special occasions such as I did where family and others are making flight arrangements and other travel plans under the assumption that a reservation is indeed a RESERVATION. Just really seems like a major flaw in the overal business model for AirBnB.

[VoHai0]

Hi. you

we are host and we have big problem from Airbnb and guest

We hope you replies for me. we have history booking, messenger, email from Airbnb
why our calendar have still stay blocked after canceled reservation, we request charge fee reservation and open calendar for us now.
The guest talk with us that their account Airbnb was hacked and Book Reservation from Hong Kong? They never book reservation!

We have still security IT Airbnb! We need the feed back and explain from your teams Airbnb.

We have try contact with guest and Airbnb, but their account Airbnb was delete, Oops!, and we see on website write 

"Canceled by you

To help avoid future cancellations, your calendar will stay blocked for the dates of the canceled reservation"

WE NOT CANCELLATION RESERVATION

AIRBNB WILL HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBILITY ABOUT BLOCKED THE DATES. ??

Thanks and Regards Vohai