Minor booking as a parent

[Tom118]

I'm a host (Superhost). I got a request from a woman inquiring about staying in my Airbnb. I accepted the request only to find out later that it's the woman's daughter, two sisters, and a boyfriend who are booking presumably without the mother's knowledge. I've asked for them to confirm that the mother is traveling with them and haven't gotten a response to two messages. Now I just need to cancel the reservation. I don't want to get penalized by Airbnb. I don't think it was an instant book, but I don't know how to check. (I assume if it's instant book, I can cancel with no penalty. Correct?)  If I approved the reservation under the impression that it was the mother making it, how do I go about cancelling now?  Thanks for your comments.  Tom

[Quincy]

Hello @Tom118,

Welcome to the Community Center. 

I was wondering if you've received a confirmation? I was able to find some helpful information that is worth having a look at. 

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/help/article/427/can-i-book-on-behalf-of-a-friend-or-family-member

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/help/article/433/can-children-travel-on-airbnb 

I hope this helps!

[Tom118]

Thank you @Quincy  I've read these articles, but I'm trying to get the correct response regarding cancelling the reservation. I feel the reservation was made in a dishonest manner and now I'm not comfortable renting to someone other than the Airbnb guest whose account was used to make the reservation. 

[Jeff158]

You'll have to ring customer service, use your superhost phone number or one of the ways below:

Contact-Airbnb-A-Community-Help-Guide

They will contact the account holder and get confirmation that they are travelling

[Quincy]

Hello @Tom118, 

I too think it would be best to contact Airbnb as mentioned by @Jeff158. 

Please do let us know how it goes. 

[Sarah977]

@Tom118  If it was an Instant Book you wouldn't have received a Request to book that you had to accept. 

[Ute42]

Hi @Tom118 ,

don't get nervous about this situation.

Someone booked Your place and the profile picture shows a middle aged women, correct? Let's call that woman Sandy. So there's a rental agreement between You and Sandy. Somehow, I don't know how, You found out that Sandy is not coming but some kids are coming. But You don't have a rental agreement with these people, this is a third party booking and not allowed on airbnb. And if they are minors, they would not be allowed to book anyway.

I suggest You write to them through the airbnb messager:

"Hi everybody,

I have  learned that Sany who booked may be not coming but You kids will arrive without her. This is not allowed under the terms of airbnb as this is a third party booking.

You have these options:

1. On the day of Your arrival Sandy is in front of my door and I will let You in, rental due

2. Sandy is not present and I will not let anybody in, rental due

3. You cancel this reservation from Your side, free of charge (or 10% or what have You)

Airbnb regulations say: 

We require Airbnb reservations booked for personal travel to be booked by the person who's going to stay at the listing.

When in doubt, pls call airbnb to have this confirmed."

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Dont't cancel. Dont do anything just wait what happens.

Tom, You don't have a problem, they have a problem.