@ As a host is it ethical to re-advertise my place even though I have not given a refund for the same dates ?

[Anna13146]

@ As a host is it ethical to re-advertise my place even though I have not given a refund for the same dates ?

[Helen744]

@Anna13146 What specific situation are you referring to Anna ? Its more than possible that you will be prevented from re advertising that time slot.Or if it is the guests cancellation, then you can offer to refund if you receive another booking , which  you may do even  if you have  'strict policy'. Different policies attract different refunds, some give complete refunds one day before arrival, which I personally always used , but it is up to you to decide the 'ethics ' of different policies and or to make sure that your guests are aware of your refund policies and to book with hosts who carry a refund policy acceptable to yourself... H

[Anna13146]

Hi @Helen744 . Guests did cancel due to flight cancellation 8 hrs prior to booking. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Anna13146 Ethics are slippery little beggars. I think the most ethical thing to do would be to re-advertise the space and if it rents then consider refunding the guest who presumably cancelled. The refund might be what you got for their booking or what you got from the new booking if it was a lower amount. 

[Bob297]

@Anna13146 
I offer the guest a refund if I manage to re-rent the place

[Pat271 · Accepted solution]

@Anna13146 Very interesting question.

I always consider that the amount the guest loses as a “cancellation fee”, rather than any kind of nightly stay penalty. Other platforms (beginning with Pr, Exp, etc.) and hotels will certainly re-rent cancelled, non-refundable rooms, after all. Cancellations are actually part of the revenue those companies itemize as part of their business plan.

However, depending on the circumstances, I have also offered to refund nights rebooked, or have offered a discount off of their next stay. So, I don’t feel guilty re-renting the nights. There are other hosts who feel differently about this, though.

I do feel sorry for people with cancelled flights. Flight cancellations are happening at an accelerated pace these days, so the chances of it happening to guests are higher. However, there is trip insurance offered to the guest that covers that kind of event. Right now, I wouldn’t travel anywhere without some kind of trip insurance. Keep in mind that a guest can “double-dip” and collect on the trip insurance, while at the same time accepting a refund from you.