Last Minute Booking - No Payment Received

[Linnea-Or-David0]

So I had a last minute booking in November from some students who had issues at the Airbnb they'd originally booked that night for.  I guest the host used Thieves essential oil EVERYWHERE in their house, even had a diffuser going... meanwhile one of the students was anaphalactic to cinnamon!  Anyway, they were able to book at my place, which I raced to to get ready last minute for them.  

Now it's over a month later and the payout has never happened!  I finally found a number to get a hold of someone at Airbnb (boy they don't make that easy!!) and they've said that it's being escalated to their collections department!  WHAT??!! Why would they be able to book without a payment going through first? 

Has this happened to anyone before?  If so, did you ever see your money or did you end up hosting for free??

Thanks!

Linnea

[Linda108]

This guest came to you via Air BNB rehoming, right?  Or, did the guest contact you directly with the last minute request?  I have seen many posts of hosts that accept same day bookings then there is a payment problem.  It appears the guest was quite satisfied with their experience according to the review.  Have you considered contacting them to inquire if there has been a debit on their account?  

[Linnea-Or-David0]

I don't think it was a rehoming, they ended up paying for one or two nights at the Airbnb they'd originally booked at.  I don't think they called Airbnb to cancel their original booking, they just cut their losses.  I am hesitant to contact them directly.. I don't know, it just feels weird.  Also, the reason I turned my long term rental into an Airbnb is to try to avoid this kind of hassle you know? 🙂 I really don't want to turn away last minute bookings as many of bookings so far are work trips, students etc.  But definitely don't want this frustration again.

[John1080]

@Linnea-Or-David0, I have read accounts of others on other threads that have had similar issues and that is why many established hosts suggest not accepting last-minute bookings. I read yesterday, where someone stated that it takes Airbnb 24 hours to confirm payment. 

I don't know if it's a scam some people run, or just accidents or what, but it seems in some cases, people book last minute, then maybe the card isn't working or they remove the card, for example.  

I do not know a lot about it, but this is what I have heard from others.

[Ebraheem1]

I never received payment from a guest who booked on the day, it was on the 13 Dec and it's the 24 Dec. More than 7 working days. Please assist 

[Linda108]

What did Air BNB staff have to say about this?  You have posted on a host/guest discussion forum and have not reached Air BNB staff.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Linnea-Or-David0 @Ebraheem1 @John1080 @Linda108 

Airbnb needs 24 hours to process the payment. So if the guest books on the day of check-in with an empty or stolen credit card, he may be already in and out of your place when Airbnb discovers it. 

There was a post yesterday about 24 hours verification process during which the host's calendar may be blocked by someone who is trying to book but is not yet verified.

I strongly suggest not to take the same day bookings through Airbnb. In such cases, I don't think you will ever get paid.

[Phil2714]

Really sorry to hear of your experience, as a host I am trying to encourage other hosts to complain about airbnb's unnecessarily greedy and lengthy payout policy, especially when you have a cancellation policy there is no need for them to keep the guests money, it is just their corporate greed. Pleas all start complaining and hopefully they will change. 

[Frederic429]

I also have a payment pending from August... nobody answers. Someone can give me advice to complain deeper???

[Linnea-Or-David0]

Sadly, I have not heard from Airbnb and no payout yet. They says someone would be contacting me by email... Nothing.

Payments by credit card are instant, there's absolutely no reason that Airbnb should be taking a booking from someone for same day booking unless a payment goes through immediately. Would save everyone so much hassle.

It's not like I can go to a store, buy an item and it take the store 24 hrs to process my card. We aren't in the ages of putting it through the imprint machine and submitting a carbon copy...