My kids bought us $300 in Airbnb gift cards as our Christmas gift, knowing that we will be making a trip soon with my sister-in-law and her husband. We selected an Airbnb and my sister-in-law booked the unit, paid her share, and set it up allowing for split payment. When I tried to pay my share with the gift cards, I was told they could see the money in my account profile, but I could not use it.
Only the person who makes the initial booking can use a coupon, but the system is set up so that it will not allow the second person in the group payment plan to pay with a gift card. This is illogical; what is the difference between the first and second party that one user can use the gift cards and the other cannot? They see the cash in my account.
Now my kids spent money for me to use towards my accomodations for my trip; Airbnb sees and acknowledges it, but won't let me use it. This restriction is not divulged to the user. Who knows what other limitations there are? Now it is just sitting in my account until I book another trip; maybe in a year if I'm lucky. It would have been a better gift if I just paid with my credit card and my kids reimbursed me. If we had known this, they would have not bought it, or at the very least, I would have made sure I booked it instead of my sister-in-law.
Do not buy Airbnb gift cards for yourself or anyone else! There is no benefit to it!!! Why let Airbnb hold on to your money? Now I have lost the use of my kids' gift money. We just gave it away to Airbnb to hold and use however they want indefinitely. Regular credit card companies will send you a check if you have a credit balance in your account after a period of time. I doubt that Airbnb will let me have my credit balance back ever. What a gimmick. Don't fall victim.
