Cancellation policy

[Evelyn10]

Thanks to Dave and Deb for input on my inquiry.

I responded to a request to change a reservation without understanding the total ramifications.

The guest involved had three weeks booked in May since last January thereby essentially blocking any other reservations for months. I was not aware that changing a booking would completely absolve the guest from any penalty. I was trying to help an Airbnb guest but now I feel like a fool and have to hope that the three weeks vacated will be filled by other bookings with less than a month to go. If this guest cancels the four nights he booked in July as you suggested he might, I think he should be reported. Do others know this is going on.

Is there any possible remedy for this?

[Clare0]

@Evelyn10 You're not the first to realize what is happening here.  Another host in this Community suggested an "alteration fee" especially if the alteration is for less nights than the number of the original reservation.  Hosts are often put in an awkward position of having to decide to accept the alteration at a loss to them, or anger the guest by declining.   I suppose you could have a conversation with the guest to negotiate a new, higher, nightly price to compensate somewhat for your having your calendar blocked for other reservations. 

[Evelyn10]

You expressed it perfectly. It is very awkward when faced with the choice of accepting a change or declining and angering the guest. I don't feel at this point that I can go back to the guest and ask for more money.  If faced with this situation again I am not sure I will be so co-operative. What is the point of having a strict cancellation policy if a guest can just change without any loss. In my opinion a change from 18 days booked to a 4 day booking is in effect a cancellation of 14 days. If the new booking had been for 18 days then I would not be so concerned.  This is a gigantic loophole that should be addressed. As it stands this is another opportunity for people to abuse the Airbnb system.  I agree at least an alteration fee should be applied. Is there a route that hosts can communicate with Airbnb to discuss policy change?

[Clare0]

@Evelyn10 I'm not aware of a direct route to making suggestions.  Not that there isn't any, I'm just not aware.  That said, I do believe that Airbnb staffers do peruse these posts to see what's on people's minds.  This has come up before so maybe someone will pick up on it.