Last minute schedule change request

[Tammy-And-Randy0]

We have had a guest booked for about 6 weeks, the evening prior to check in for a 3 night stay they are requesting to change to only 1 night. Over 4th of July. I am super conflicted about giving those 2 days for free now. It could easily have been taken by others. What say you?

[Shelley159]

Is the remaining night the 4th of July @Tammy-And-Randy0 ? And you're in the US?

I would generally agree to shorten any stay, because I don't want someone in the listing who doesn't want to be there. But in this case I would be less worried about getting the 2 nights re-booked, and more worried about a 4th of July party in my listing. 

What's the guest profile like?

I know Airbnb's anti-party policy tends to flag single-night bookings over the New Year to try and prevent house parties - I'm not sure whether it does the same in the US over the 4th of July ... is this guest perhaps trying to find a way around it by booking a longer stay and then shortening it? Or does it seem innocent enough?

[Marisa182]

@Tammy-And-Randy0  I just had that happen to me, but my guest shortened his three day stay to a two day stay on the day he was checking in. I gave him a total refund for the one night, but after thinking about it, I wished I had not refunded the full amount. Your situation sounds suspicious. They certainly had enough time to make the change long before the night before arriving. If you can book another guest over the holiday, it might make sense to give a full refund, otherwise, partial, in my opinion!

[Paula]

Hello @Tammy-And-Randy0,

Please keep us posted once you’ve had a moment to go through the hosts’ comments. Shelley has shared some great questions that may help clarify what the best option would be here.

[Anastasia493]

Hi there from Canada, I just had a guest who was booked for June28-July11 request to shorten trip to July 7 -- he is there already for several days....  This has not happened to me before.
I have a cancellation policy set to FIRM=

1. Full refund at least 30 days before check-in
2. Partial refund 7–30 days before check-in
   
   BUT this is different than a cancel ... sort of... I have a Firm policy because it is nearly impossible to rebook on short notice, where our place is located.  
   This is our 3rd year, and the first time I have had such a request... 
   
   It impacts our payout by $775 which is quite alot.  And i won't be able to recoup that, now.??
   Should I offer to split it with him??
   Or suggestions... ANd I am not sure what I do with the change request because there is only ACCEPT or DECLINE???
   
   Thanks, I thought this to be a bit similar to the other posts.
   
   

[Jennifer1897]

@Tammy-And-Randy0 I have had this happen several times. I have also had guest ask to change their reservation after they have already checked in. Generally, I do not allow changes day of or after check in. What I do offer is for them to cancel, and if I am able to rebook, I refund them. I usually send them the following message "Dear XXX, I am so sorry to hear your plans have changed. Given the short notice I am unable to accept any changes to the reservation. What I do advise is for you to cancel the nights you no longer need, and if I am able to rebook them, I will gladly refund you."