If an Airbnb host tells you that your confirmed reservation is no longer available, who should cancel the booking?
Let's say you've made an Airbnb reservation for an upcoming stay that's been confirmed and paid for.
Then before your trip, you receive a digital message from the vacation rental's owner (or "host" in Airbnb parlance), saying that, whoops, never mind, the property isn't available for you to rent after all for whatever reason.
According to Airbnb, host cancellations are rare but not unheard of. Maybe a pipe burst. Maybe the host had a personal emergency. Maybe the rental house got airlifted by helium balloons to South America, à la Pixar's Up. You never know.
But here's the tricky part: What if the host then instructs you—the guest—to cancel the reservation through Airbnb since the place is no longer available?
Actually, that isn't tricky at all, except in the sense that you're being tricked. You should not cancel the reservation.
In fact, asking you to do so is a violation of Airbnb's policies, which clearly state, "A Host must promptly cancel a reservation that the Host cannot honor and may not encourage the guest to cancel the reservation."
Why shouldn't you cancel the reservation?
When a host does the canceling prior to check-in, the guest should "automatically receive a full refund," per Airbnb's website. "If a Host cancels 30 days or less prior to check-in, and the guest contacts us, we will also assist the guest with finding comparable or better accommodations."
If the guest cancels, on the other hand, the guest is on the hook for the changes made, and, consequently,refunds and rebookings get more complicated (especially if the cancellation happens at the last minute). You might not get all of your money back. Or you might have to file a claim for a refund when the cancellation wasn't even your fault.
Why doesn't the host want to cancel?
The host isn't necessarily running an out-an-out scam (though that's always a possibility). Instead, the host could just be trying to avoid the consequences Airbnb imposes on hosts who cancel reservations.
Because the company obviously doesn't want to disappoint its customers, Airbnb charges penalties for host cancellations in hopes of keeping those outcomes few and far between.
Hosts who cancel have to pay fees between $50 and $1,000 (depending on the booking's nightly rate and how much advance notice the guest gets), and reservations for the listing will be automatically blocked for the canceled dates to prevent replacement bookings. Hosts who repeatedly cancel could lose "Superhost" status or even have their accounts suspended or removed.
So basically Airbnb hosts who ask you to cancel your reservation on their behalf could be trying to pass along those extra fees and inconveniences to you.
But don't let them. It's not your fault they want to cancel the reservation you booked fair and square. Oh, they're going to have to pay annoying extra fees? Welcome to Airbnb.
What should you do if a host asks you to cancel a reservation?
"If your host lets you know that they can't accommodate your stay anymore, don't cancel for them," Airbnb's website advises. "Instead, send [the host] a message asking them to cancel. That way, you'll be eligible to receive a full refund."
If that doesn't work, you can notify the platform via the online cancellation form.
But you might accidentally cancel your reservation if you go that route. So it's probably wisest to reach out to Airbnb's support center directly by going to Airbnb.com/help/contact-us.
A company representative can put in a request with the host to cancel the reservation or, barring that, issue you a refund.
FAQs
What to do if your Host asks you to cancel. If your Host lets you know that they can't accommodate your stay anymore, don't cancel for them. Instead, send them a message asking them to cancel. That way, you'll be eligible to receive a full refund.
How do I make sure I don't get scammed on Airbnb? ›
Only book with a credit card or debit card through the rental company's website. If a host asks you to pay outside of the Airbnb or Vrbo website or app through cash, a wire, a bank transfer, or Venmo, it is likely a scam. “With few exceptions, the full cost of your reservation is collected by Airbnb.
How do you tell if someone is scamming you on Airbnb? ›
Carefully review the home information, photos, and the host's profile for any red flags. If you're renting from a company with multiple listings, check their social media profile for complaints or bad reviews. As a general rule, if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Can you be scammed on Airbnb as a host? ›
Unfortunately, there are incidences where hosts receive booking requests that are meant to scam the host. Airbnb scams can take many different forms, especially as the Airbnb industry grows.
Can an Airbnb host ask me to cancel? ›
If a Host cannot honor a reservation—regardless of the reason—it's their responsibility to cancel in a timely manner to allow their guest time to adjust their plans. A Host may not encourage the guest to cancel the reservation.
Can a host ask a guest to cancel Airbnb? ›
A Host may not encourage the guest to cancel the reservation. Providing false statements or materials in connection with this Policy violates our Terms of Service and may result in account termination and other consequences. This Policy applies to cancellations that occur on or after the effective date.
Will Airbnb refund me if I get scammed? ›
Issues must be reported to Airbnb with 72 hours of discovery to be eligible under our Rebooking and Refund Policy. Note: You have up to 60 days after your reservation's checkout date to submit a Resolution Center request.
How can I be sure Airbnb is legit? ›
Check for legitimate links
Don't click links in any email you're not sure about. A real link to Airbnb will begin with https://www.airbnb.com or a country-specific URL like https://es.airbnb.com, https://it.airbnb.com, https://www.airbnb.com.at, or https://www.airbnb.co.uk.
What is the most common complaints of Airbnb? ›
It will detail the most common Airbnb complaints and how to best address them.
- Cleanliness of the Rental Space. ...
- Ineffective Communication with the Host. ...
- Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues. ...
- Discrepancies Between Property Description and Reality. ...
- Poor Emergency Handling.
Sharing passport details with an Airbnb host can be risky, especially if the host is not legitimate. If the host is a fraudster or scammer, they could use your passport details to commit identity theft.
During an account takeover, unauthorized individuals, often through phishing or exploiting weak passwords, gain access to a host's Airbnb account. Once these hackers gain control, they have the ability to modify booking details, steal sensitive information, or redirect payments to their advantage.
What are the chances of getting scammed on Airbnb? ›
Absolutely. You can get scammed on Airbnb just like almost anywhere else money changes hands. In 2022, Airbnb generated $1.9 billion in net income. With that kind of cash floating around, there are bound to be scammers, though the number of scams that are specific to Airbnb isn't clear.
Are all Airbnb hosts safe? ›
Safety issues can happen at any form of lodging, and Airbnb is generally considered safe. Just be aware that problems can arise, so be aware of scams, unethical practices and physical issues with properties.
Does Airbnb protect the host? ›
Host damage protection covers you for: Damage to your home, furnishings, valuables, or belongings caused by guests (or their invitees) Damage to parked cars, boats, or other vehicles caused by guests (or their invitees)
Can a host ask a guest to cancel? ›
Things happen and a Host may need to cancel a reservation. But a guest shouldn't cancel on behalf of their Host.
Does cancelling an Airbnb hurt your rating as a guest? ›
As a host, if you cancel, an indelible mark appears on your reviews and in your statistics. As a guest, you can block a host's dates and cancel as many times as you want, it does not appear on your profile.
What is the strict cancellation policy for Airbnb? ›
Understanding Airbnb's Strict Cancellation Policy
To receive a full refund, guests must cancel within 48 hours of booking. However, the cancellation must occur at least 14 days before check-in. Hosts will be paid 50% for all nights if guests cancel between 7 and 14 days before check-in.
