Hosts raised the prices over 100% after sending him a reservation request

[Francisc0]

Hi guys,

my name is Francis and I wanted to ask for advice.

We have tried to book a room for a week and the reservation price was 840 euros. After we have requested the reservation, the host replied and said that the price would be Euro 1500 instead, because it is high season.

What can I do in this case ? Why is a certain price shown when we are doing a research and try to book, but then it goes high.
Is this normal ?

Thanks for your guidance,

Fran

[Ira4]

@Clare0 thank you for posting the part of Airbnb's rules. I admit that I haven't noticed that.

But, when a host declines a request, are you sure that it affects their commitment rating? Because that's not a cancellation, it is a declining. 

[Clare0]

@Ira4 In the context of this discussion, if a host declines many requests because a guest refuses to pay more than the price on the listing, yes, it will come to Airbnb's attention.  Strictly speaking, you are right, Commitment Rate generally refers to cancellations.  

Unfortunately, there are many hosts out there that advertise a low rate, then when a request comes in they say its not the correct rate and want to increase.  Bait and switch.  With Instant Book, the host has to either honor the rate as booked or cancel. 

[Ira4]

@Clare0

Yes, I understand that. Generally, there are some hosts whose actions affect the reputation for all of us. But of course, there is the opposite, also. 

Personally, I never had my listings with requests, anyway. Always, instant booking. 

[Khang4]

Hello @Clare0

I have made a request to book and the host confirmed the reservation. A few hours later the host requested an alteration to the listing price and told me I can accept the updated rate or cancel the reservation without penalty. Is this true? This seems to me to go against the terms of service, but i am unsure what to do. Should i contact airbnb?

[Momi0]

@Khang4 You should definitely contact Airbnb and the customer service phone number is available in the confirmed booking email you received from Airbnb on this listing. 

 To answer your question this absolutely goes against Airbnb‘s terms and conditions and this host should be reported ! Shame on them. (Ask Airbnb for other recommendations in this area as they can also cancel this booking as an Administrative cancel for you and find you a a more respectful host) 

 If you ever find yourself coming to Honolulu Hawaii ,  look me up and I will make you the best breakfast you have ever eaten at no charge too 🙂

[Clare0]

@Khang4 sorry I missed your question yesterday!  Nope, it is the other way around.  The host is required to honor the confirmed reservation or cancel.  Airbnb expects all hosts to keep their princing and calendar availability up to date and it is a violation of Airbnb's Terms of Service to ask a guest to pay more.  In fact, it is a violation of the Terms of Service if a host tries to change the price after a guest submits a reservation request.  

You can formally request that the host either cancel or re-confirm your reservation using the steps in this link: 

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1250/what-should-i-do-if-my-host-needs-to-cancel

If the host cancels, then Airbnb will impose its host cancellation policy.  One of the penalties is to block the dates on the host's calendar so they can't re-rent at any price, let alone a higher one.   

You can also copy and paste this excerpt of the Terms of Service to the host: 

"7.1.2 You are solely responsible for setting a price (including any Taxes if applicable) for your Listing (“Listing Fee”). Once a Guest requests a booking of your Listing, you may not request that the Guest pays a higher price than in the booking request."

I hope this helps a bit and I am very sorry for your experience. 

[Khang4]

@Clare0 Thank you for the advice. I will try to do that. I went through the formal process to "request for host to cancel" and the Host responded back asking if I could cancel myself. I feel kind of bad for her, but I also feel it unfair that I am being put in this position. I will quote the Terms of Service in a message to the Host to see if that will help, but the Host seems pretty set on not "losing" money on this weekend I booked... 7 months in advance.

@Momi0 I will try contacting the twitter feed for airbnb to see if they can help. I gave them a call yesterday and they said they would try contacting the host, but that was at midnight our time zone, so i'm unsure if airbnb was able to reach the Host.

[Clare0]

@Khang4. I can understand that the host wants more money (we all do!), but if that was the case, the host should have updated their pricing before anyone books, not after.  

The case is now between the host and Airbnb.  The host has a choice to either re-confirm that he will accommodate you at the original price or cancel.  If the host fails to respond to the request you sent, then Airbnb will automatically cancel the reservation on your behalf and release a complete refund to you as well as impose Airbnb's host cancellation penalties. 

The host needs to decide what they want to do.  Asking you to cancel is not an option now. 

[Khang4]

@Clare0 Thank you for the advice and for your help!

[Clare0]

@Khang4. the host has 24 hours to respond if your trip was due to start within a week.  Otherwise the host has 48 hours to respond.  

I hope this gets resolved for you soon!!

[Khang4]

@Clare0 The Host cancelled the trip on me, increased the rate of the listing and was able to post it back up for the same dates with no blackout. I didn't know hosts can cancel at any time to increase price with no penalties, this sucks. At least I get my full refund back, but that seems a little unfair. What's the point of the price on the listing if the host can cancel whenever they feel like it?

The trip was set for July 17-22, 2018, 7 months from now.

Thank you for your help.

[Clare0]

 @Khang4, I'm going to send you a private message on this.  Watch for your email!

[Clare0]

@Khang4. Opps, looks like I can't send you a private message.  You are correct, the host's calendar should be blocked.  However, if this was an Instant Booking, the host could cancel penalty free, sadly. 

I would encourage you to flag the messages where the host asked you to pay more.  Use the small flag icon next to the message(s).  This will alert Airbnb's Trust and Safety team to review this host's actions and they will take the appropriate steps with the host. 

Was your reservation booked instantly?  Normally I would ask for the host's listing's web link, but that would not be appropriate here in the public forum.  

[Khang4]

@Clare0 I don't think I can DM you as my level is too low, but I think you can DM me if you go to "messages", "new message" and in the "Send to" box, type my name and look for my picture. However, I did message you on airbnb through one of your listings.

[Momi0]

@Khang4  I was a bit surprised you didnt' acknowledge my offer to make you breakfast in the hopes it would make you smile during this difficult time, but perhaps you don't like Banana Pancakes. haha.  

Seems my original advice to call Airbnb FIRST to find you new accommodations was the best advice since now we know the host has indeed cancelled on you.  I personally don't think it helps to go back and forth with a host who is being inappropriate but instead allow Airbnb to help you and take care of "scolding" that host.  

Your booking is still 7 months away, so I am pretty positive that Airbnb could have found you a nice place had they been given the chance.    Definitely give them a call again and explain that you now need a new place.  One of the many services they provide is to send you 4-5 listing links to your email with your specific needs along with a 10% off coupon to rebook your new stay.  

They did this for me when I was cancelled on by a host whose listing was shut down by Airbnb  and our new stay turned out to be even better place that came with an AWESOME SUPERHOST.