If I accept a date change request is 48 free cancellation reset?

[Deirdre2]

I have a guest with a 3 day booking over Thanksgiving week in a very large 6 bedroom home that books months in advance for Thanksgiving.  They booked in May.   We have a 3 day minimum during this week.   A month ago, guest requested change to 2 nights.  I declined citing our 3 night minimum.  They have now requested (multiple times) to change dates by a day.  I have asked them repeatedly to cancel and rebook and that I would then refund the cancellation fees (we have strict policy).  I even called Airbnb and got rep to agree to refund the booking fees if they cancel/rebook.  

Guest just keeps requesting that I accept the date change.  Guest called Airbnb which then called me about accepting date change.  I explained that I had already made an offer that would keep guest from losing a single dollar if they cancelled/rebooked.  

Guest still hasn't cancelled.

Is is true that a change to the reservation resets the "48 hour free cancellation"?  I can't think of any other reason the guest would not follow the cancel/rebook with refund after rebooking instructions that I have repeatedly offered.  I suspect they plan to cancel after I accept the change.  Has anyone experienced this?

[Letti0]

@Deirdre2  No it does not reset the 48 hours. Your guest might think it does, but it does not. I personally would not do the change because of the 3 day minimum they knew this when they booked. Like you I think they are going to cancel and want the cancellation cost to be smaller. 

[Deirdre2]

Are you sure?  A FB group that I am in describes this happening.

[Letti0]

@Deirdre2  I just sent a tweet to verify this, but I am pretty sure it does not reset it. At least there is no written policy that says it would that I have read and I read all the updates. I'll let you know what AirbnbHelp replies as soon as they do. 

[Deirdre2]

I can't imagine it would be a written policy; suspect it would be an unintended consequence.  Certainly, many hosts with moderate policies have been fooled by accepting  a date change to right outside the moderate time limit and then the guest immediately cancelling.

[Letti0]

@Deirdre2  Many have done so I have posted this below to many new hosts to give them a heads up about why you don't do changes in dates. 

DO NOT CANCEL a reservation, DO NOT ACCEPT any message about cancelling, changing or refunding DECLINE it a loophole that comes back to bite you and gives guests back their service fees and/or voids your cancellation policy (changing dates) or the cancellation is now on you, not the guests (accepting cancellation). DO NOT REFUND anything until actual cash has been given to you by AirBNB. If you refund they will take the money from you and a lot of times guests get refunded from both AirBnB and you if you do this, then you have a fight to get your money back. Tell the guest you do not deal with the booking funds that is all on AirBnB's end.

[Letti0]

@Deirdre2  Here was the reply. Sounds sketchy to me. I would not do the date change as some customer service rep may refund and then you are going to have to fight to get your money back. 

[Deirdre2]

Yes, the system automatically treating it as "new" reservation is what has me concerned that the 48 cancellation policy would then be in effect.  And, I can't determine any other reason the guest would be so stubborn about not cancelling/rebooking after she has been assured that she will not lose money doing so.

[Letti0]

@Deirdre2  Because the guest is planning on canceling would be my guess. I wonder if they have done this before and found it worked to cancel penalty free. Looks like another loophole we all need to be aware of. Argh... 

[M--Elizabeth0]

I have a strict cancellation policy and ii am always wary of guests who wish to change their reservation dates or number of guests.  I call AirBnb each time before accepting  a reservation change request.  AirBnB has confirmed that accepting a guest’s reservation change request will not reset the 48-hour cancellation window.  Consequently, if a guest should try to cancel their reservation after a host accepts an alteration request, the cancellation policy would relate back to the date of the original date the guest made the reservation.  I have found no written AirBnb policy to this effect, which is why I confirm the consequences of accepting a reservation change request each time with AirBnB customer service.