Long term cancellation

[Joji13]

I had booked a long term reservation on Jan 23rd and had to cancel it less than 24 hours due to project cancellation at the client location. In order to prevent any loss to the host, I reached out immediately to the host and expressed my situation and asked for cancellation. All I hear is it that once booked, there is no refund of any sort for long term reservations.

Also, she has been encouraging me to cancel my reservation immediately so that last 15 days which is outside the 30 days will be reimbursed as if it is a kind gesture.

I inquired if they are going to put up the place back on listing as soon as I cancel with no refund? With no response to that question, comes back to cancel immediately and no refund will be given.  I have been long term VRBO customers and very recently started using AirBnB.

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Is this very common on AirBNB to give $0 refund for a reservation that is not started and cancelled within 24 hours?

**[Identifiable listing removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines- Please note that is not allowed to post a listing link unless posted by a listing owner]

[Helen3]

Hi @Joji13 

When making a long term booking on Airbnb when you go to book it makes it clear there is 30 day cancellation policy if you cancel . So you would have been aware of this before you booked. 

personally if I was making the booking for a work project which maybe cancelled I wouldn't risk booking with this sort of cancellation policy. 

so absolutely you will lose the first 30 days of your booking if you cancel.

Now most hosts would offer you a proportional refund for any days they are able to rebook but we are under no obligation to. Some may offer you a refund of the host fee if you cancel. 

the best thing you can do is ask the host if they might be willing to refund you for any days they are able to rebook .

The host is correct if you have booked for more than 30 days it's in your interest to cancel as you will be refunded any days over and above the 30 days if it's more than a month or more away 

[Joji13]

But no offers were made and it seems to be extreme punitive to punish a guest for entire $3.5K for a booking that was requested to be cancelled within 24 hours. 

While every encouragement was made to just cancel and move on, there was no talk of just proportional refund. 

Why would someone lose so much money and still use long term rentals for a booking that did not even get started (8 days to start date) and was requested within 24 hours?

Fact that they had property open for so many days says that there were no other bookings so close to the date. 

Again if it is technicality to tell anyone that they need to forget $3.5K and move on without any refund, then one has to decide on using AirBnB

[Helen3]

As mentioned in my initial post the host does not have to voluntarily refund you if you choose to cancel a booking such as a long term booking that has a 30 day cancellation policy. @Joji13 

I am a little confused by your latest post as in your initial post you said the host advised you to cancel ASAP so you would be able to get a refund for the remaining 15 days you had booked, so from what you have said, you are eligible for a proportional refund.

All you can do in these circumstances is cancel ASAP so you are refunded the 15 days (assuming you are still eligible) and ask the host if they would kindly consider refunding you the host fee for any days they are able to rebook.

[Joji13]

Thank you so much for your guidance. This really helps. 

[Mary5479 · Accepted solution]

@Joji13 

your host is right about the last 15 days of refund. the sooner you cancel, the last 15 days of fares outside of 1st 30 days are usually refunded. 

however, it’s really unfair to provide $0 refund to a non consumed reservation.

If you have advised your host that you cannot make to the listing , then probably you don’t have a chance by getting around of the cancellation policy. 

However, if you do plan to arrive at the listing at some point of the reservation, it will be a different story. 

And, don’t be afraid to ask, just tell your hosts can she do 30% nightly fares refund and you will cancel voluntarily. 

Again, solving dispute amicably is very important and respect your host since she has your money now. it’s her discretion to refund on top of airbnb policy. 

[Alex1485]

Hello!

It seems we had a similar guest issue, the guest, fortunately used a credit card that offered trip insurance to recover funds,  have you checked this yet? 

Airbnb is a different service than VRBO -different processes, hosts, methods of doing business, just like Trader Joe’s vs. Whole Foods, each offers unique products, policies on returns .

Your refund, is based upon when you cancel  vs. when you book,  is calculated by the airbnb bots;  which is why the host directed you to cancel immediately. 

As hosts, we follow the process created by our booking tool,  airbnb which is to direct guests to cancel and book via the booking tool. 

Each host, is a unique business,  the cancellation policy the host offers is shown 2 times- both on the listing pre booking and on your booking confirmation.  

Airbnb offers amazing listings, super hosts and we hope you will try using the platform again…

Food for thought,  we recommend all our guests purchase trip insurance, a minimal investment which saves $$$ when problems arise.

[Rebecca]

Hey @Joji13, 

Did any of the answers below help you resolve the issue? If so, it's always a lovely gesture to mark it as the best answer. It's like a big virtual hug to the member who supported you. 😊

If you need any help, just shout.