Hypothetical Question!

[Denise80]

I am a member of another forum that has nothing to do with Airbnb (it's about chickens actually!) 

Anyway, a member has posted that she and her family made a booking for 12 people a year ago for an event in the South Island of NZ. They made a 2 night booking which was accepted and have paid the deposit and booked flights around these dates. Because of this event, accommodation is highly sort after and the hosts have now decided they want a 4 night minimum and so have cancelled this booking.

There is no mention of which booking platform this is and I have no reason to believe that it is Airbnb, but my question is what would happen if it was Air? Obviously the hosts would lose their superhost status if they had it, but would there be other financial penalties? Would Airbnb be liable to find these people alternative accommodation, or would they be liable for fees for changing airfares if these people were to stay 4 nights? 

When we first started out hosting, we were in a similar situation where I should have made a longer minimum night and higher price for an event but I felt it was my error so I just used it as a learning experience. I'm really just being nosey, I am not at all involved, but really just wondering out loud! 

[Ana1136]

@Denise80 most importantly the dates would be blocked and the host would loose money besides the fee he would have to pay for canceling. Airbnb helps guests find alternative accommodation and sometimes they add 10% of the original price to their budget because it will be harder and more expensive to find a place last minute. It is not a good idea for the host to do so, I guess he didn't knew that the dates would be blocked and no one could book them. 

[Marie82]

@Denise80,

many new hosts had similar cases myself included when the calendar will open 6months in advance and I only found out the last min it was a big date and I had not set my price yet. Most guests who see such a price are well aware that the host is new or did not click yet and take that opportunity. It was for Xmas New Year  a guest booked at very very cheap price even though I was not aware that my calendar was opened, I explained to the guest that I would raise slightly the price because of the end of the year, the refuse even a slight price increase, I cancelled her booking and for a year could not be Superhost but did not care anyway. I gave the apartment to friends to celebrate for free. Lesson learned I opened my calendar max 2/3months in advance and use external pricing tools. I always think at the end, it is guests who always make host came out of their naivety. at least on my case and end up being tougher.  

Coming to ur case, if the host is in Airbnb and advertise in another platform she can be cancelled and block on 1 platform and still get a booking from another one. If she is looking to make an extra cash on that special event

[Denise80]

@Marie82 @Ana1136 , it is not Airbnb she has booked thru as she booked 2 years ago for the event which is early next year. But yes @Marie82  my thoughts were the same as you, that the host could have their property on two platforms. 

[Ana1136]

@Denise80 someone booked almost 3 years in advance? It is almost certain that something will happen to that reservation 🙂