Instant Book and Strict Cancellation

[Swee-Peng0]

Hi I have made a booking for a whole apartment/house in December with a host in Negombo, Sri Lanka. The listing says 3 bedrooms and 6 beds.

It was an instant book with strict cancellation.

Today I contacted the host to inform that my travel party has increased from 3 to 4 pax.

The host replied via whatsapp that he can only offer 2 bedrooms with a kingsize bed in each room. He has offered to provide a full refund. 

This is not what he described in his listing.

How can I ensure that I will get my full refund, when it carries a STRICT cacelleation policy. I still have 8 days to my arrival date ( 21st Apr 2016)

Thank you

[Marcus0]

If he cancels you will get everything back.  It is only if you cancel the booking that penalties apply.

Ask him to do it pronto.

Personally i don´t like booking under strict....

[Donna15]

@Swee-Peng0, there are severe penalties for the host if he cancels. The guest - in this case yourself - needs to cancel. Since the host intends to give you a full refund, the matter can be handled satisfactorily in AirBnB's Resolution Center. I suggest you discuss the situation further with the host. In any case, by no means should he cancel.

 Meanwhile, here is a link that might be useful. It describes how issues are resolved in the Resolution Center.

https://community.airbnb.com/t5/General-Hosting/The-Resolution-Center-A-Community-Help-Guide-Request...

[Chris23]

Hi Donna, if Swee Peng cancels the booking herself my understanding is she will pay 50% of the rent.

The only way for her to receive a full refund is if the host cancels.  As he cannot provide for her it is his problem and he has offered to do so.  Maybe i have interpretted it wrong but here is the policy.

https://www.airbnb.com.au/home/cancellation_policies#strict

[Donna15]

@Chris23, I think this is where the Resolution Center will come into play, as both parties (host and guest) clearly want an amicable solution, and the host is obviously willing to waive the strict cancellation policy. If the host cancels, he faces penalties that seem unwarranted. The situation seems to have arisen because the guest wanted to add to the number of guests, which - for whatever reason - was not possible at this stage. 

Meanwhile, I'm hoping that someone much more knowledgable than I am will be able to clarify. 🙂 In any case, I believe AirBnB needs to become involved in this kind of situation. 

[Clare0]

@Swee-Peng0, Before anyone hits the "cancel" button, I would encourage you to contact Airbnb directly, with your reservtion code at the ready, and explain the situation including the fact that your host has offered to waive his strict cancellation policy.  Airbnb can contact the host to verify and then will be able to remove the reservation according what you and your host have agreed to.