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AIBU?

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Original poster

AirB&B - rant

37 replies

Radiatorvalves · 23/09/2025 10:31

Trying to keep the costs down I booked an AirB&B in a large city. Last night, with 48 hours to go, I had a message from the host asking if I needed early check in or late check out at $75 each. I said no thanks. An hour later the booking was cancelled.

I spent ages on the phone. There is now limited availability, and nothing available in the area I’d booked at a similar price. They keep suggesting cheaper properties 30/40 km away. I feel over a barrel but I have agreed to pay an additional $180 to secure a booking.

Perhaps I should not have used them. Certainly a hotel would not have been much cheaper. ….

How common is it that people have issues or horror stories when using AirB&B? Most people I know say it’s ok.

AIBU to never use AirB&B again?

OP posts:
ifIwerenotanandroid · 23/09/2025 15:17

Whereismyfleeceblanket · 23/09/2025 14:40

I clean and Airbnb property. We rarely get complaints.. Recent ones include the single bedroom door was unable to be shut properly due to the door hooks on the back of the door..
The ones you simply lift off...
And TV in the double bedroom wasn't working..
Because they hadn't plugged it in.
We regularly stay in Airbnb properties and honestly never had any issues...
Unlike Haven caravans...

Recent ones include the single bedroom door was unable to be shut properly due to the door hooks on the back of the door..
The ones you simply lift off...

But if you lift them off, there's nowhere to hang the things that were hanging on them on the back of the door, surely?

Notdanishsusan · 23/09/2025 15:04

I used it 4 times. One of them cancelled late notice and I had a similar issue of having to book something else more expensive.

Rispa42 · 23/09/2025 15:01

I used to be quite a prolific user of Airbnb, but have had quite a few issues with it in the last few years, so have stopped using it. Definitely gone downhill unfortunately… there are quite a few niche alternatives that I find better!

biscuitsandabreak · 23/09/2025 14:46

Something similar happened to me once, but it was only once. I’d arranged to stay over as had a job interview and when I arrived the booking had been cancelled. I got a refund but it took five days to process and I didn’t have much money. Nightmare,

It’s the only time I’ve had anything like that happen though. Mostly it’s been fine.

LoafofSellotape · 23/09/2025 14:43

I've just had an issue with booking too , really pissed me off. I've used them before in the past with no issues.

Whereismyfleeceblanket · 23/09/2025 14:40

I clean and Airbnb property. We rarely get complaints.. Recent ones include the single bedroom door was unable to be shut properly due to the door hooks on the back of the door..
The ones you simply lift off...
And TV in the double bedroom wasn't working..
Because they hadn't plugged it in.
We regularly stay in Airbnb properties and honestly never had any issues...
Unlike Haven caravans...

Lostsadandconfused · 23/09/2025 14:34

They would not have cancelled your booking on a whim, there are very stiff
penalties for hosts who cancel bookings. A host that cancels more than once would probably find their listing removed from the platform.

My partner manages several airbnbs, we had to cancel a booking because of an unavoidable power outage. We had to send Airbnb support proof of the outage (a stat dec from the electrician). Even after doing this that listing didn’t show up in search results for months and we got almost no bookings.

I know it doesn’t always seem so but Airbnb is very tough on hosts who don’t do the right thing.

Original poster
Radiatorvalves · 23/09/2025 14:21

@SJM1988 the message was….

Hello
I’m very sorry to inform you that a major issue has arisen with the unit you reserved, and unfortunately it will disrupt your stay if we proceed with the booking.

But as I said in the OP this was just after I had declined their (expensive) offer of early check in.

Sounds like I’ve been unlucky. But I am hacked off that I’ve had to spend almost £150 extra.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 23/09/2025 14:15

I also use them once or twice a year and have never had a problem.
I ahve heard some horror stories though so maybe I have just been lucky

XelaM · 23/09/2025 14:14

Use Booking.com - usually cheaper and so much less hassle

SJM1988 · 23/09/2025 14:11

I use Airbnb a bit - probs once maybe twice a year. Never had any issues.
Did they say why they cancelled it?

Original poster
Radiatorvalves · 23/09/2025 14:03

Does anyone use Air B&B ? Am I just unfortunate or an idiot for having gone there?

OP posts:
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