Unblock my calendar after a cancelled 'instant book'.

[Rose13]

I CANNOT UNBLOCK MY DATES after a cancelled booking. It was my first experience of the instant book facility and the rates had not been updated for Christmas '16.

The booking is now marked cancelled by guest but the dates are still blocked. I have searched for a couple of hours trying to get in touch with Airbnb but don't have 'enough privilages' . How do I get in touch with Airbnb to get these high season dates UNBLOCKED?  THERE must be someway to get a message through to them?

[Avi27]

Same exact problem: 1st time hoster, instant booking was turned on by default, someone booked for only two days of the listed range, I cancelled the booking not realizing that the dates would be blocked. It's SO annoying that Airbnb turns on Instant Booking by default, and then penalizes you when a first time user cancels. But it's also their loss since the place will not be rented during the blocked days. Frustrating experiece!

[Matthew285]

@Avi27 did you contact Airbnb to ask if you could have the penalties removed the Instant Book cancellation?

[Avi27]

Hello Matthew, yes I did. I complained about it to two different support personell, to no avail. Frankly, I don't understand the point of this block penalty, at least for first time hosters/cancellers. I delisted my apartment entirely because the blocking made hosting unviable.

[Matthew285]

@Avi27 I'm sorry to hear that.

I do know several hosts have worked out how to explain IB cancellations so that they routinely cancel without penalty. I think it is important to have rules in your listing that explain your requirements; that way when a guest does not meet the requirements, you are eligible for a penalty-free cancellation.

I have heard that running an Airbnb listing in New York is very challenging. I wish you all the best and hope you have great success with whatever you do!

[Deborah-and-Brandon0]

Has anyone had this problem lately?  Where you CAN'T GET THE CALENDAR TO REOPEN AFTER A CONCELLATION OR STAY TERMINATES EARLY? 

We have two Airbnbs and have been doing this for three+ years.  We recently hosted a Camp Fire victim for free from Dec 1 to Feb 1 and had held the space for her until July 1 in case she needed it.  We CAN'T OPEN THE CALENDAR and Airbnb doesn't have a solution.  We've now been vacant for two weeks with a calendar booked through July and can't get help.  We're getting desperate since this is part of our income.  Any soution?  Suggestions?  Help?  Would be apprciated.  I'm going to have to keep escalating until it's fixed.  Thanks!