I am currently having a horrific experience with Airbnb. I ...
Latest reply
I am currently having a horrific experience with Airbnb. I had a PAST reservation cancelled. The guest have already stayed. ...
Latest reply
3 days now i m trying to contact my host .. i sent him messages , an email , i called him on his phone several times , i sent him a viber messages .. he's online he sees my messages and he's ignoring me completely ... can i trust this kind of hosts ?? i need him for my VISA and he'is totally ignoring me .. this will cost me the whooole trip that i 've been preparing and saving money to for 2 years now ... i'm worried .. i can't cancel because i wont have a full refund ... ( strict ) .. what should i do ? please help ...
First of all it's a shame that your host is not responding to you. Can I ask why do you need him for your visa?
If you need to provide evidence that you have booked his accommodation during part or full duration of your stay then you can print this off yourself if you go into your booking confirmation.
Best wishes,
Ama
thank you ama .. the issue is that i can't trust him anymore he even deleted the ad .. in my country they call hosts to make sure that i m staying in their house .. if he's ignoring me he will ignore the embacy .. i m really worried .. he's connected now on viber and he's ignoring my messages and calls ... i really can't understand .. this type of hosts shouldn't be on airbnb ...
Hello Marouene
That host of yours seems unreliable. Despite you won't get a full refund I would still cancel if I was in your situation.
Then search for accomodation with a good reputation. ie one with good reviews.
Though it might be worth firstly sending a phone text directly to your host to make sure he is getting your messages. At the moment I think there is some techincal issue and not all messages are producing a phone text which is causing response delays. At least this is what is effecting my communication with guests at the moment.
I would never ignore a message from one of my guests or potential guests like your host seems to be doing with you. This is not a person you want to depend on when you arrive someplace and all other accomodation might be fully booked or expensive.
Melissa
I understand how you can feel that way now, I would suggest that if you no longer feel comfortable you explain to Airbnb if you would like to change accommodation and I'm sure the would accommodate your request as timely communication is vital between both guest and host.
Regarding the embassy contacting the host - the embassy really should not be doing this. The host does not know you personally and cannot provide any information about you other than to confirm that you have booked their accommodation for s certain duration; a print-off of Airbnb’ s booking confirmation is better evidence than verbal confirmation from a stranger who really could be anyone. You could provide the embassy you bank statement to evidence that you have made payment to Airbnb and it would match the amount on the booking confirmation.
The host might not be happy for you to share their telephone number or other contact details with the embassy. I as a host definitely will not be happy if my contact details were given to the embassy for one, they are a third party to me; my agreement is strictly between the guest, Airbnb and I. Also because I don't actually know the guest in person, I don’t know who is contacting me and don’t have the time to try to check them out/ verify them but also because your visa really has nothing to do with me. It is a bit strange that the embassy would want to contact a host who is no different to a hotel in terms of the relationship/ nature of services, they don’t contact hotels although generally they do ask for a copy of the booking confirmation to evidence that you will indeed have somewhere to stay during the duration of your visit.
If your embassy specifically require this and you decide to change your accommodation, you should check with the host first prior to booking that they will be happy for their details to be passed on and to receive such contact on behalf of you for your visa application.
Ama
Before cancelling (you would loose your booking fee!), you should contact Airbnb so that they can help you and possibly take measures regarding this host. Also, if he is really fraudulent, Airbnb should help relocate you.
This one you should take up with Airbnb. If he is reading your texts and ignoring you, he will probably not honor your booking. How would you get in contact with him when you arrive, if he is ignoring you already.
Contact Airbnb and explain to them that you can't get in contact with your host and they will surely contact him. If he ignores them as well, I am sure they will refund you despite his strict policies.
@Marouène0 contact Airbnb and they will contact your host. Click on the link below to see all the ways to get in touch with Airbnb:
VISA is a credit card.
Can not think of why anybody would need to contact a host regarding a visa to visit a country, may have sounded alarm bells with a Host.
A visa in terms of travel is permission given to a foreign national to enter a country; the passport you hold will determine which countries you can enter without a visa, can get a visa on port of entry or have to apply prior to travel.
Visa is not just a credit card!
Depending on what citizenship you have, you cannot enter every country without a travelling document named VISA. Sometimes you need to have invitation letter from someone from this country, and in this case this person would be a host.
VISA is a credit card. In Capitals.
Someone you stay with may also be someone who has invited you, not the case here.
BTW certainly not an issue regarding the US. Not sure what country he wishes to 'visit'.
Im sure @Marouène0 means tourist visa, not the credit card. Otherwise he wouldn't mention embassy, and calling host to check whether he's staying with him. I know the procedure. I've written invitation letters as well. They're needed in the process of visa obtaining.
Actually it applies in the US as well; To travel into the United states, you either need an ESTA which is a visa waiver programme or a visa depending on your nationality i.e. if I use my British passport to travel to the US I have to get an ESTA in the UK in order to get entry into the US. However if I use my Polish passport, I have to apply for a VISA to enter the US.
It doesn't apply to US citizens travelling within the US but it applies to other citizens coming into the US. It is basically an entry clearance and each country has its own rules on applying for one of these.
Ama