Payment Changes

[Mark1366]

My payments have suddenly changed from ‘Airbnb Payments UK’ to Citibank Financial Services Ireland.. along with the change in name has been a dramatic change in timing.. I used to receive the payment next day now payments are taking 7-8 days. 

Is is anyone else seeing something similar?

[Susan17]

Oh yes, of course! Sorry, @David192!

[David192]

@Susan17 

I received the payment today that AirBNB made on Oct 2. So, it took three business days (or five calendar days) to reach me. It was made by Citibank Ireland Financial Services (i.e. CITIBANK IRE FIN S) made as a Bank Giro Credit, rather than via Faster Payments as before.

So the transactions now appear to be taking three business days, rather than four or five. 

[Alon1]

@David192 

My last two payments were also 3 Business days.

So it seems to be the new 'normal'.

[Susan17]

@David192 @Alon1 

I still haven't received payment for a group that checked in last Friday (4th) and left on Sunday (6th). Up until now, I'd usually receive payouts for guests arriving on Friday, on the Monday. System is telling me that the money is "expected" in my account by Friday 11th - so 5 business days, or if it doesn't arrive tomorrow, 10 days or more since guest arrival. 

My payouts are still coming from Airbnb UK. So UK hosts are getting paid by Citibank Ireland Financial Services, or Citibank Eire, and Irish hosts are getting paid by Airbnb UK. Go figure... 

[Alon1]

@Susan17 

re. 'Go figure'.

I think you can safely blame it on Brexit. (Everyone does for everything nowadays).

More specifically, it's probably Mr Johnson's 'war cabinet' threat to punish all nations that won't adhere to No Deal.

In this scenario, Airbnb are entirely absolved of all responsibility.

If this explanation doesn't satisfy you, then sorry, it seems I've been brainwashed. 

[Susan17]

Lol! Nah.. doesn't satisfy me at all, @Alon1! I'm not even the teensiest bit satisfied with that hypothesis! Both Airbnb and Citibank have had more than enough time (and resources) to put all processes in place for a competent and timely transition.

I'm going to need an infinitely more satisfactory - and credible - explanation as to why a $38 billion global corporation and/or a $275.3 billion global bank seem to feel it's acceptable to hold my measly few euro in their own bloated accounts for a whole lot longer than necessary, in these days of simple electronic transfers. But I'm working on it.. 😉

[Gordon0]

I use PayPal and haven't noticed any difference (I've just been paid for a gust who arrived yesterday). Fingers crossed nothing changes.

[Kate274]

Has Anyone else notice that Airbnb. is paying later the room before? When I first started over 2 yrs ago,  I was being paid on the Saturday of a weekend reservation  (Arrival Friday);  then it went to Sunday; now in October, 2019, I was paid on the Monday AFTER Sunday Check-Out.  Is Air BnB on stable financial footing, or is there a reason they are holding payment longer?

[Jennifer1421]

I received payments through Worldpay AP (headquartered in London) up until September 30th, when it switched to Airbnb Payments AP/cc. No idea what country they're originating from, as there is no identifying geo location that I can see.

In any case, my payments have always taken about 3 business days, and nothing has changed with regard to timing.

[Andy623]

Andy1 0:59

Hi, until this week, all payouts have been from "AIRBNB PAYMENTS UK" and, with the exception of weekends and bank holidays, have arrived in my account on the same day as the advice.
Today I have a payout from "CITIBANK IRE FIN S" and it has been delayed by 3 days.

Please explain.

Please wait while we route your case.

11:00

Thanks for your message — Airbnb Support will reply as soon as a specialist becomes available.

11:02

Airbnb Support 12:32

Hello Andy,

Thank you for contacting Airbnb. My name is Cristina. I hope you are fine.

I just received your message regarding the payout and the delay of it. I'm sorry about it.

During the past summer Airbnb changed the processor of the payouts to Citibank, an American bank, so the payouts will be an international transfers so it can take up to 7 business days to reach your account.

I'm sorry for the inconveniences.

Regards,

Andy 12:34

That's not really acceptable. I prefer to receive my payments on the due date.

[Susan17]

@Andy623 

Citibank Ireland Financial Services or Citibank Eire are most certainly not based in the US, so that blows that excuse straight out of the water!

[Andy623]

Citibank is the consumer division of financial services multinational Citigroup. Citibank was founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York, and later became First National City Bank of New York.

Yes, they are processing payments through their ROI division.

Airbnb Payments UK is currently being investigated by UK tax authorities. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50137770

Coincidence?

[Andy623]

Yes. Absolutely disgraceful abuse of hosts without whom they have no business. Arrogant or what?

[Alan602]

Yes, same thing for us.  When I contacted Airbnb they tried to fob me off by saying that MY BANK must be making extra checks and that is why there is a delay.  I responded that obviously that is ridiculous as nothing has changed my end and in any case they wouldn’t make  extra checks on money going in!  They’ve obviously changed accounts and are holding on to our money for as long as possible which in an age of instant payments is bloody frustrating.

[Alan602]

I've queried this twice - both advisers stated that my bank must be making more checks and that is what the delay is! I replied no coincidence then that it has only occurred since they changed to Citibank.  Totally unacceptable in this day and age and especially as payouts have always been within 24 hours before that Airbnb now are paying out so late (solely down to their bank account change).