Property was booked when I was only asking a question of the host. Now I am being charged airbnb fee

[Mala0]

Have you written to host to explain the genuine error?  must have pressed the instant book button somehow?

Sure most host will cancel without charge

Mala

[Ana7]

I' not sure the host will be willing to cancel. Why should he be penalized for the guest's mistake? Rembemer, Airbnb is harder on hosts than on guests. The one who has made the booking has to cancel.
The host will have blocked dates if he cancels, plus he won't be able to achieve superhost status. It just wouldn't be fair to ask it of him.

[Enda0]

Hi @Mala0,

If the host cancels, s/he will be penalised by Airbnb. So it's best to avoid doing that!

Cheers,

Enda

[Brandon7]

You likely used 'request to book' instead of sending the host a message. The message function is further down the page.

The host probably just accepted your booking. If the host cancels he can incur a charge, but also if it's your first time cancelling you might get away with not being charged a service fee

[Enda0]

@Brandon7 is right. It's an easy mistake to make to click 'Request to book' rather than 'Message host'. Contact Airbnb directly to sort this out as your host will get a penalty if s/he cancels for you. 

Contact Airbnb

[Mala0]

Hi Enda, yes of course thanks i was aware of this but sent a quick answer as guessing the original question was already a host and in "the no"...  i meant ask the host to send mail to airbnb as sometimes easier for them to contact and say the guest made a mistake and would like to cancel and then airbnb can reach out and ask the questions. Genuine mistakes should be able to cancel without any charges being occured.  I also dislike the way it is easy to send booking instead of a question..  i once nearly did that and had to stop. it takes you to that link first before working out how to easily send an initial message.  sneaky Airbnb!..

Mala