Instant Book with a Group Payment

[Craig-and-Mónica0]

Hello,

My wife and I are relitavely new to Airbnb. We love Airbnb and have had a great experience.

We just received an Instant Book that involves a group payment? The unconfirmed Instant Booking is blocking our calendar for Memorial Day Weekend. Perhaps we don't understand the process, but I think 4 days is a long time to block our calendar with an unconfirmed guest.  If the guest decides not to pay, it seems that my wife and I have an important, upcoming booking opportunity blocked for 4 days without compensation.

We have Instant Book Set with a Strict Cancelation policy.

I was told by Airbnb that The penalty-free Instant Book cancellation applies if a host is uncomfortable with a guest's behavior, but not the policy itself.  Does anyone have any ideas about this situation?

Will turning off Instant Book keep this from happening again? Does anyone have any other ideas to help us with this situation?

[Rebecca181]

@Craig-and-Mónica0 Do a search on 'Group Bookings' here in the forums and you will see many unhappy, angry hosts. Supposedly Airbnb is reviewing this policy and may revise it due to our protests and complaints. In the meantime, you are stuck in a holding pattern until they pay. You might use the 'feedback' feature to let Airbnb know what you think of this latest 'policy'. I've yet to meet one host here who agrees with it. 

[Craig-and-Mónica0]

Thank you Rebecca.  I am not a fan of this policy.

[Fred13]

Also having IB on, doesn't even alllow you a choice to not get into the group payment scene, so perhaps best to turn it off till the dust settles, with group payments and a few other goofy things Airbnb are working on/trying/experimenting/ fixing/comtenplating.

"These are the best of times, and the most confusing of times" circa@Airbnb 2018

[Carri0]

I am experiencing the same issue with group payment! I think a 96 hour hold on a property is ridiculous, especially if the booking is on hold during a high demand time of year!  Does anyone have any additional information on this “glitch”. This really should be reviewed by Airbnb.

Fuming in Montreal!

Carri