Dishonest host

[Dorit2]

Hello

We were communicating with a host about potential rent, without commiting. Ond one day later we informed her that we will not be coming because my son broke his leg. She activated my VISA card (I don't know how) and charged full payment, and now she is willing to refund only part of the money. I do not see any option of contacting AirB&B offices directly to get help and solve this problem. Any suggestions?

Thank you

Dorit

[Dawn33]

Why are you blaming the host? This is unfair and shows poor judgment.

Hosts never have credit information or have access to activate it. Airbnb is the only party that has this info.

You obviously entered your credit information and mistakenly booked your stay. Contact Airbnb on this matter.

I understand that Airbnb is tricky and overwhelming when you are new to it, but please refrain from blaming a host for criminal activity.

[David126]

I agree with Dawn, what you said happened is simply not possible.

[Kika1]

Yes, Dorit, hosts do not have access to your credit card information.

It seems you are not really familiar with airbnb. 

You think it was not commiting, but I also think that you must have booked the room. 

The airbnb procedure is step by step.

You cannot book without knowing, unless you are really not reading anything that comes up to your screen. 

Check your credit card bill for details of the exact amount and who it was issued to. You will see no host receives your money directly. 

[Robin4]

@Dorit2 @David126 @Dawn33....Once again I agree with both the previous comments. The card details you gave would have been to Airbnb, not the host. The host never gets access to any private or personal information...and in fact it is only after a guest has booked that a host sees even a guest phone number!

Dorit, as an Airbnb host, and a current Superhost, I take exception to comments like this. As hosts Dawn, David, I and many thousands of others strive to provide the best experience we possibly can to people like you. We go out of our way to welcome you, as total strangers, into our homes and more often than not, into our hearts. Hosting is one of the best most rewarding personal things I have ever done. I have met the loveliest people through Airbnb and statements like yours Dorit scare me and make me feel defensive towards that ugly guest who may be lurking around the corner!!!

Do your homework, get onto your local Airbnb help desk and ask them to sympathise with your situation and possibly take some sort of compassionate stance and refund the money PAID TO THEM and stop slating hosts as crooks......

To Dawn & David.....keep on doing what you do so well....cheers.....Rob

[Deb29]

I agree with the rest.

Between my husband and me, we have hosted over 10,000 heads in beds through Airbnb and have never had access to credit card details ever.

The guest must have purchased accidentally.

Deb

[Sandra126]

When a request is made, Airbnb holds the funds. Money is released to host after stay has begun. Hosts have no access whatsoever to any of your details. I sincerely recommend to make enquiries instead of requests, as enquiries do not hold the money but requests do. It takes about 7 days to release money from an unsussesful request.

Just for future reference!

Airbnb is a great way to book accommodation, and I am sorry about your son's leg preventing your trip. There are three tiers of cancellation policy on Airbnb too, from flexible to strict. Some hosts will be flexible within their chosen policy, but you can choose the bookings you make according to the policy also.

All the best.

[Alice-and-Jeff0]

Dorit - As a host yourself with 2 properties listed, you may want to brush up on the rules surrounding payments and reservations so you don't find yourself in a difficult situation.