Redeeming a EEA (Euro) gift card for Iranian resident with newly issued resident permit in Finland

[Nikan15]

Hi there,

So, the idea is that I am an Iranian resident with no banking information (or payment method) from an internationally recognized payment method (the US sanction and so on).

Recently, I've got a resident permit (work permit) in Finland, and I am planning on moving there. So I wanted to book a place for a few nights. I noticed that I can redeem a gift card purchased within European Economic Area (EEA which includes Finland) and via it, I thought I can book the place. When I read the terms and conditions of Euro gift card, it states that I should also add a main payment method to verify my residency within EEA, even if the gift card covers the entire expenses of the place I plan to book.

Now, the issue is that I cannot add any payment method as mentioned earlier.

So my questions are:

1. Is this strict? Meaning, I cannot book any place at all until I have my bank account in Finland?

2. I have friends living aboard (North America, Europe, etc.). Can I use their debit card info as the main payment method, or this is fraud due to mismatch between my identity and main payment method's? Especially that it seems the goal of payment method is rather for identification in Europe than the payment itself?

Thank you so much for your time and merry Christmas!

[Shelley159 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Nikan15 

Your question is fair - you're simply looking for a way to pay Airbnb and you've tried to do this with a gift card.

My suggestion is that you should contact Airbnb Customer Support and explain the situation. They should be able to help you with payment options.

In the drop-down menu above, change from Community Centre to Help Centre and copy and paste your question there. I hope they quickly give you a workable solution!