Guest altered a confirmed Booking from 82 nights to 30 nights on day of check-in without my approval.

[Arbe0]

Airbnb states that it's okay one time, but that my cancellation policy kicks in if the guest decides to make a subsequent change.  I lost $6,674 in earnings that I expected from that confirmed reservation booked 12 days earlier.  Do you know of any documented policy that can be applied to demand full payment for cancellation of the 55 nights.  It was my understanding that I was protected with  both a Strict and Non-Refundable cancellation policy which I thought meant that if the guiest opts in and later cancels the reservation, I would be allowed to keep the entire payout for all nights booked.  Please let me know your thoughts on how I can demand full payment or not.  Thanks in advance.  I made plans for the anticipated earnings and now I put myself in a bind.

[Joan2709 · Accepted solution]

@Arbe0 

Yes...a guest can alter a monthly stay without owner consent in some circumstances. They didn't cancel - just shortened the stay.

Monthly Stay - Guest Reservation Alterations

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/913

Scammers out there will try and negotiate a bigger discount for a multiple month stay, then alter the reservation after receiving the bigger discount. Most Hosts will offer an addl discount only AFTER the stay is completed and there is no damage or cleaning issues.

Lots of other pitfalls for monthly stays on Airbnb including you are only paid each month - not for the full stay. Never spend the money you haven't received from a booking due to this. Here is a guide to Monthly Stays on Airbnb.

Other platforms cater to monthly stays and provide better protections that Airbnb doesn't:

Monthly Stays

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Host-guides/Monthly-Stays-on-Airbnb-Guide-Revised/m-p/2066547#M2...

[Arbe128]

Thank you, Joan, for your reply.  What you shared is exactly what I was eventually told by Airbnb customer service.  Initially, C.S. said that I'd have to accept the change before it could take effect. This new policy makes no sense; it doesn't help hosts retain confirmed earnings. I lost $6,673 after the alteration. This policy benefits guests entirely, not hosts.  I'll be entertaining other available hosting options and/or furnished rental choices moving forward. 

 Everything has changed since Airbnb went public and post-pandemic.  I feel like both guests and Airbnb management take hosts for granted nowadays.  Thank you for your input and time.

[Rebecca]

Hi @Arbe0, 

I'm tagging @Joan2709 here so they receive a notification of your message. This ensures that they get a notification that you've replied to them specifically 🤗