Instant booking fiasco.

[Sean206]

I decided to give instant booking a try since new policies were supposedly put in place.  The app showed me a pop up noting I could choose to decline any reservation if I wasn’t comfortable withoutny penalty or bad review.  It was a lie.  I cancelled my very first instant booking and was penalized mente wise, in my stats to qualify for super host, was given an automatic 2 star rating with states “the host cancelled the reservation the day before arrival” (it’s an auto message).

I feel sickened that Airbnb would do this just to try to increase rentals and throw hosts under the bus. 

Anyone with this experience and any suggestions?  I already submitted a claim and it made no difference. 

[Matthew285]

@Sean206, if you want to decline an Instant Book reservation without penalty, it is best to contact AirBnB before cancelling so that they can help you cancel without penalty.

It can be done, but it is best to involve AirBnB right from the outset.

Also, your reason for cancellation does have to fit within the allowable reasons for a penalty-free cancellation