Corporate greed

[Will235]

I am a super host in new zealand. I have been renting a room in my apartment for a couple of years on Airbnb. Love it. Meeting folks, never a problem. Two weeks ago I was diagnosed with cancer and treatment needed to start immediately. I contacted Airbnb and asked them to cancel the 4 groups I had booked while I underwent chemo. They did so but wanted proof that I wasn't lying. I sent them a copy of an email that was a partial diagnosis but they wouldn't accept it! They have gone on to charge me the full amount of what I would have earned from these 4 bookings. Around $350. I am outraged by their insensitivity and greed. Just beware all, Airbnb is not your friend..

[Emiel1]

@Will235,

Sorry to read you have this unpleasant experience.

I think you should provide them asap the proof (document) they want, the sooner the case can be properly closed. It is absurd they charge you the money.

best regards,

Emiel

[Susan151]

@Will235 . First off, I am so sorry to hear that you have heard a cancer diagnosis. I can only hope that your treatment will be successful, and you will never need to hear those words again.

Clearly, AirBNB didn't think an email was sufficient. If you spoke with a customer service person in the US, they would consider an email to be unusual. Our privacy laws dictate that doctors do not use unencrypted email but instead employ server based message systems. A friend, who faced a similar diagnosis, submitted her biopsy report along with a report that outlined her treatment protocol. AirBNB helped relocate all of her guests and there was no charge. She was able to retain her SuperHost status as well.

If you have the energy, you might want to call AirBNB once again and ask for a reconsideration after submitting more suitable documentation.

All the best to you during your treatments. I hope that you have a community that can surround you with love and support.

[Zacharias0]

This is what photoshop and Google are for. You can find any document online confirming a cancer diagnosis and treatment in under a minute and photoshop it to change the name to be yours. Two can play that game. 🙂

[Gordon0]

Which is why, @Zacharias0 , companies like Airbnb can be forgiven for not trusting what people might be telling them. I don't see it as a game, smiley face or not.  

[Gordon0]

Sorry to hear your news, @Will235. Keep at it, you'll get the money back, I'm sure. And stick with it.