Host tells me Airbnb cancelled booking due to pricing error

[Isabel226]

We booked an apartment in Panama for a good rate - cheaper than usual. I cleared the booking and dates with the host first and they accepted it. A couple of days later the reservation was cancelled and the host messaged to say that airbnb had got their pricing wrong and to contact them directly. We only got $13 compensation!  He said we could re-book at the correct price, the price was he same as before so I've  re-booked - though I'm sure it will be cancelled. Surely if this is a direct mistake by airbnb, they should offer the same accommodation somewhere for the same price?

Has anyone got any experience with this?

Thanks!

[Ana1136]

@Isabel226 if the host canceled you get full refund automatically. Also, why was the price the same for the second booking, wasn't the whole point of the cancelation to change the price? And you paid again even though you didn't receive full refund for the first cancelation? It doesn't make sense. 

[Isabel226]

Yes exactly. He said airbnb cancelled because it was their mistake. The second time I've booked, he has sent a request to re book it at 6 x the price! surely this is against the rules?

[Helen3]

@Isabel226  the host isn't being honest with you. He sets the prices not Airbnb so if a mistake is being made it is by him. He should honour his prices. Call Airbnb now - they will be able to see the messages between you and the host. 

However if a host did this to me, I would worry about how trust worthy they are and would be likely to book elsewhere.

[Ana1136]

@Isabel226 you booked a second time for the same price and he wants to up that by 6x? I wouldn't even consider booking with him again at any price. 

[Mike1034]

@Isabel226  Airbnb system does confuse hosts as it does to guests especially for unexperienced hosts. In this forum, there are various posts from hosts that the price was changed by Airbnb system automatically for some listings. Therefore, there could be pricing error in some cases. I cannot tell from this case about the pricing error.

If the host asked for 6x the listing price, definitely you want to do a new search and find other options.