Cancellation on Long Term Reservation

[Burn0]

Hi, I have a guest who booked our place for 28 nights (for March 2019). The booking was done in August 2018.

Unfortunately, the guest sent me a message that he had an emergency and will not proceed with the vacation and is asking politely if he could refund at least 50% of the amount as soon as Airbnb pays me. That's assuming he will not cancel the booking. We will just wait until March comes and Airbnb remits the amount to me.

But there will be opportunity costs on my end should I give in to the guest's request as my March calendar will still be viewed as unavailable by other potential guests.

Here are the questions, if he cancels his booking today, will I be able to get the amount in full? When will I get paid? When will the March calendar be freed up for other guests to book our house?

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

@Burn0

I would ask him to cancel, and your cancellation policy will be applied, and then tell him you will happily refund any nights that you sell during March. 

However, personally I would gie a complete refund to anyone cancelling more than 4 weeks out. A 50% refund is fine and remember too that if he contacts AirBnB and claims under extenuating circumstances then he will get a complete refund if his claim is accepted.

Your calendar will not open up until the guest cancels - so ask them to do so immediately so that you can get the room back on the market. Remember, if you get an email asking you to cancel the room, decline it, (which means you still have the room held for the guest) as if you accept it, it will mean you initiated the cancellation.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Burn0

According to ABB cancellation policy, long term reservations are not refundable if guest cancels.

Cleaning fee is refundable if guest cancels before check-in date.

https://www.airbnb.com/home/cancellation_policies#long-term

As @Gerry-And-Rashid0 said, I would also refund everything if the guest cancels 2 months in advance, or would refund days rebooked if he cancels 1 month before in a pick season.