@Annette33 @Cynthia-and-Chris1 @Robin4 @David126 @Nutth0
So the new cancellation policy now applies to EVERYONE - and the piggy bank and coin symbol is shown in US and Thailand listings, but not South America, Canada - yet).
Just not sure if it is retroactive for all existing bookings taking place from this week forward - or just new bookings placed after this week?
Cancellation policy -
100% refund, including service fees, if cancelled before start of booking (5 days for moderate & 4% host fee, 24hrs for flexible & 3% host fee etc..). And the interesting big difference is with those hosts with 'STRICT' will not only pay 5% host fee for the privilege -but instead of the previous 100% retention of bookings cancelled within 30 days - it is now reduced to just 50% retention.
So here is the policy now ( just the first 5 bullet points)
- Cleaning fees are always refunded if the guest did not check in.
- The Airbnb service fee is refundable (up to 3 times per year) if the guest cancels before the trip starts. If a guest books a reservation that overlaps with any part of an existing reservation, we won’t refund the Airbnb service fee if they decide to cancel.
- Accommodation fees (the total nightly rate you're charged) are refundable in certain circumstances as outlined below.
- If there is a complaint from either party, notice must be given to Airbnb within 24 hours of check-in.
- Airbnb will mediate when necessary, and has the final say in all disputes.
So it looks like the main change is point 2 - that the ABB service fee IS refundable - up to 3 times a year for guests.
OK - and I hope that will be applied automatically so guest do not have to ask host for help to get this.... and that it doesn't 'encourage' cancellations as they now are risk/penalty free (or at least the first 3 are!).
So the jury is out on whether this is a good or bad thing: - will it clarifies things for host/guest alike - will it make it easier for guest to cancel - will it prevent hosts getting penalised for cancelling on behalf of guest.... and so on.
So here's a QUESTION (and I hadn't thought of it until I saw it mentioned in the Italian blog from 2016 where Airbnb trialed this cancellation policy change).
Will this 'encourage' hostile, revengeful or just plain mischievious bookings from guests who book but have every intention of cancelling right at the last minute?? Without it seeming paranoid - as I am sure this will never happen (!) but if it does, could/should Airbnb at least include a sentence of what penalty (financial as well as block profile etc.) they would impose should such an occurance be proven?
Best Wishes.