Flexible Cancellation Policy

[Ana846]

I am new at airbnb so I started with a Flexible cancellation policy. In one week I got 7 resevations and 3 of them were cancelled, one even after the check-in time. Every time Aibnb sent the message: "we are sorry to inform you...but don't worry, this does not happen often..." Not really? That is 43% of cancellations in just one week!. I am sorry but I had to move to Moderate. Then, reading carefully the full conditions, I found the Flexible Cancellation Policy abusive. People can cancel 24h. prior for a full refund and less of 24h for just one night of penalty, even though, Airbnb sends you a link pressing you to refund even that single night. Depending on the lenght of the reservation cancelled this is almost a joke. For instance, I got a 3 weeks resevation for January under that Flexible policy. That means that that guy can get my listing blocked since the end of November until January 2 and pay nothing. But even, he can wait until January 3 and pay one night. And more, he can stay that first night and get the full refund for the rest. For Real? Airbnb, are you kidding me? Many of us only have one property to rent so, if this guy decides to do that, (which now I consider completely likely) he will cause a big loss to me as I my property will be out of the market to be book in advance and once the month has started is pretty unlike to get any decent/long term booking. And you will even dare to send me the link to refund the poor little guy even that single night!. This starts to smell to me like Uber. Airbnb is getting a millionaire bussiness taking advance of those people with not many options, which are us.

[Marzena4]

Just like with any legal actions, the one who reads before signing a contract is the wiser. And Airbnb profits on people not reading like many other companies.

[Linda108]

@Ana846  You received preferencial placement in the search because you are new and thus you received more than usual bookings.  You also received more than usual cancellations.  Depending on what type of guests will be attracted to your space, you might want to limit your stay to a week instead of allowing longer stays.   Once you get a few completed bookings under your belt, you will be able to vet the type of guest that will be a good fit for you.

Flexible cancellation policy makes the booking more like the hotel industry.  Air BNB does not make any money when a reservation is cancelled under the policy but I think as a company, Air BNB brings in more recognition.

I never used the flexible cancellation policy.  My space is in an area with several highly attended events and guests book a year in advance.  Until I fill those dates, my policy is strict.  Once filled, then I go to moderate.  A couple of times guests have cancelled a strict policy and been refunded 50%.  I then advise them if I rebook the dates I will refund the rest.

I hope you won't be discouraged but allow yourself to "go with the flow" while you become familiar with the platform and learn to use it to your best advantage.  I have found reading the posts and responses very useful in giving me some perspective.  

Take care and good luck with your new business.

[Jodi247]

I just had a guest book to stay one night this week, and then come back and stay for six more nights. She canceled, telling me that I should change my policy from "Flexible" to something more strict because it was "too easy" for her to cancel. The only reason I changed the policy from "Strict" last week was that Airbnb recommended it. I am furious and now I am out hundreds of dollars with very little prospect for filling my unit at this late date!! Why did Airbnb suggest something so damaging to the hosts?