Why book with airbnb?

[Tim4555]

I can no longer use airbnb this is why.   My reservation that I booked more than a year out was cancelled by Airbnb, due to a legal issue between the airbnb host and the owner of the property. Since this is for my son's graduation, and places are in high demand, the costs have increased 3 to 4 times more than when I booked. Airbnb customer support tried to find locations within the same budget, so they would not have to incur any cost. They then offer me 30% credit (~$350) based on my cancelled booking towards a new booking, which does not come close to renting another location without paying an additional $3,000 to $4,000. I am sure 30% is their commission, so they would end up making more money from me second booking than first if I choose to book an equivalent place for $5000.

I realize cancellations can happen for a number of reasons outside anyones control. However, it's how airbnb accommodates their customers when these events arise is pause for concern. The way I was treated, was that I am a number not a person and that they don't care.
1. I receive an email that my reservation was cancelled with no explanation.
2. I had to call to find out why which they told me it was a legal issue between airbnb host and the owner of the property.
3. Customer servers just sent me links to place without regard to the number of people or dates.
4. They offer me 20% then 30% credit which would never cover the costs of another location.

Since I cannot rely on my reservation being honored or finding another equivalent location at no additional cost to me, I CANNOT ever use airbnb. These circumstances happen, but not having a solid plan to getting another place without their customer occurring additional cost is just neglect. Tired of hearing, "this all I can do for you, I offered you the maximum allowed". Airbnb can hide behind the just facilitate rentals, or the issue is with the host, but at the end of the day, people say they booked with Airbnb not Sally Jones. Furthermore this cancellation could have been avoided if airbnb required proof of ownership or owners approval for the property.

[Rebecca]

Hello @Tim4555 👋

I'm really sorry to hear about your recent experience and I wanted to check in with you to see if you'd heard anything further from customer support about this? 

[Tim4555]

Rebecca,

Customer Support was not helpful.  They contacted me numerous times, but ultimately just wasting my time by providing alternative places either for different dates or not enough bedrooms compared to what I had booked.  The offer of 30% does not come close to the cost I would have to pay for similar accommodations.  

This has been a terrible experience.  I cannot use airbnb any longer because they will not make things right.  I realize things happen, but if a host needs to cancel a day or 2 before my arrival  due to a condition outside their control,  airbnb cannot be counted on to make things right.  I am traveling to Italy this summer and I was planning to use airbnb, but after this experience I don't want to be hunting for new accommodations in a foreign country, if a cancelation happens.  Mostly like the cost will be higher because of supply and demand.