Guests getting around non-refundable windows by altering reservations to dates outside the window and canceling

[Jason1622]

1. Guest wants to cancel, but they can't because it's too late
2. Sends request to modify the reservation to beyond 24 hours (flexible)
3. Waits a few days and cancels it.

This should not be able to happen. Even if the guest modifies the booking and the host accepts, it should be flagged as non-refundable because it was already in that state.

[Sudsrung0]

@Jason1622 

Some host know how to work the system to their advantage, 

Was that guest another host?

One thing I like about BDC you are not getting a refund, you can set to "None Refundable" 

Over the years we have only ever had a couple of cancellations so no big deal for me, I do have it set to Strict, 

[Helen744]

@Jason 1622 Yes it is an anomaly . It is as well to issue this warning Jason . H

[Jason1622]

All mine are set to flexible with non refundable option. Not sure if that’s a double edged sword or not.

[Gillian166 · Accepted solution]

@Jason1622  this is a well-known loophole, and is even taught on some travel blogs. And it's been discussed to death. But how can you resolve it? If a guest moves their booking at the last minute, perhaps they should be switched to a "no refund" policy after that. That's one solution. 

This year i've have 6 such instances, 2 people did the move and cancel trick, 3 changed the dates and did turn up, and one has moved her reservation to December, so we'll see what happens. Out of 200+ reservations it's not a huge problem. 

You can either harden up and just refuse to do any refunds, or be kind and refund someone who is in a bad situation (or be duped by an unorganised, irrational wretch who you def don't want on your property anyway - be sure to block them!). 

Ooh, and another thing that would be good is if they have a counter on their profile that shows how many times they've cancelled a reservation. 

[Kirsten266]

@Gillian166 

The cancel-rate would be perfect. I’d rather accept a 4 star guests than people who cancel

[Jason1622]

Easy to fix. Once the booking has reached non refundable it’s flagged as such in the system. That’s the point of my post, I’m hoping Airbnb receives this feedback.

[Michael5047]

@Jason1622 

I tell them that unfortunately i can't modify their dates and ask them to cancel. I offer them a full refund if i can book those dates they cancelled. They are usually fine with that idea.