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Original poster

Air bnb host won’t let me move my dates

43 replies

lnsufficientFuns · 03/10/2021 06:32

I have a total problem here.

I booked a holiday abroad for middle of October

My dad had a stroke

I needed to move the dates - to the following October

Asked the host for o change dates (a month ago) and he ignored me

I sent a change the date request which he has refused

So he’s forcing a 50% cancellation fee on me

What can I do? It wasn’t clear in the website that I wouldn’t be a make a change - not that I was planning to - everything out of my control.

OP posts:
Original poster
lnsufficientFuns · 03/10/2021 06:33

I’m going to lose £600 😳

OP posts:
blackteaplease · 03/10/2021 06:34

Do you have travel insurance you can claim against? The excess on that would be less than £600.

HighHighHopes · 03/10/2021 06:36

I'm sorry about your dad.

Unfortunately, sometimes you just have to accept the loss.

I had a holiday booked and 2 weeks before I was meant to go, my son was diagnosed with leukaemia. The travel agent refused a refund and I couldn't transfer to another date as the treatment plan for his cancer was 3.5 years.

I lost over £2k.

I hope you are luckier.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
lovelyupnorth · 03/10/2021 06:36

That’s what insurance is for.

Every time I’ve used Airbnb the t&cs have been clear.

It’s not the hosts problem you can’t come and so close I’m impressed you’re getting 50%

Guessing you don’t have insurance.

Original poster
lnsufficientFuns · 03/10/2021 06:41

Thanks everybody - I’m sure we have insurance

Does anybody know if I have to lodge my insurance claim before I actually cancel?

I’m so upset: I know I could be any old scammer to this guy but really it’s just such a lot of cash

OP posts:
Original poster
lnsufficientFuns · 03/10/2021 06:42

@HighHighHopes

I'm sorry about your dad.

Unfortunately, sometimes you just have to accept the loss.

I had a holiday booked and 2 weeks before I was meant to go, my son was diagnosed with leukaemia. The travel agent refused a refund and I couldn't transfer to another date as the treatment plan for his cancer was 3.5 years.

I lost over £2k.

I hope you are luckier.

Sorry about your son, that’s put things into perspective for me big time. I hope he’s doing well.
OP posts:
lightningstrikes · 03/10/2021 06:45

Contact Airbnb. They will see that you made the request and he didn't respond. He won't have the money yet, Airbnb will still be holding it. They can choose to refund or not depending on the circumstances.

lovelyupnorth · 03/10/2021 06:45

@lnsufficientFuns

Thanks everybody - I’m sure we have insurance

Does anybody know if I have to lodge my insurance claim before I actually cancel?

I’m so upset: I know I could be any old scammer to this guy but really it’s just such a lot of cash

Having worked for an airline where we had people Most days lying about why they wanted to change tickets. We had to insist on proof, so i feel for you but it’s also not the hosts issue they probably can’t now re-let the property.

Check with your insurance what you need to do to claim.

lannistunut · 03/10/2021 06:51

I am really sorry about your dad Flowers

I think the Airbnb owner is sticking to policy, not unreasonably, sorry. I hate Airbnb and never use them (as they ruin communities) but this is the policy afaik.

Original poster
lnsufficientFuns · 03/10/2021 07:12

I know

The thing that’s annoyed me is:

I want to move the dates, not cancel! I still want to go there, it’s a beautiful flat and it took me ages to find it

OP posts:
onelittlefrog · 03/10/2021 07:14

It's not the host's fault. That is most likely their cancellation policy that you didn't read.

Sorry about your dad. However they shouldn't have to be out of pocket because of it, either. They are unlikely to fill it now if it's the middle of October - that's really soon.

If you have insurance then take it up with them

onelittlefrog · 03/10/2021 07:14

@lnsufficientFuns

I know

The thing that’s annoyed me is:

I want to move the dates, not cancel! I still want to go there, it’s a beautiful flat and it took me ages to find it

You are basically cancelling though for this year and they probably won't get someone in that soon, so they would lose money.
lannistunut · 03/10/2021 07:15

Unfortunately Airbnb is about extracting money, not providing good service.

I think you have to see how you get on with the insurance company and let it go, focus on your dad.

Frenchfancy · 03/10/2021 07:16

This is not the hosts fault. They are losing money too. Claim on your insurance.

HungryHippo11 · 03/10/2021 07:16

The guy is unlikely to get someone else to rent the flat now, for a few weeks time. So even if you do move the dates that's still a week that it is standing empty and he isn't getting paid. So its effectively the same as a cancellation.
Cancellation policies are usually very clear on airbnb. When you book, it says what the policy is.

Original poster
lnsufficientFuns · 03/10/2021 07:17

No indication of changing dates being at discretion, not included in the cancellation policy. Not that it would have made a difference, I’d no idea this would happen of course.

You’re right I should let it go I guess

OP posts:
makelovenotpetrol · 03/10/2021 07:19

I'm sorry about your dad.

Some AirBnBs let you cancel and move dates and some don't. Those details are all in the T&C on their property info page. So if you are able to change dates, it will say so, if it doesn't say anything then I don't think you are.

lannistunut · 03/10/2021 07:20

@lnsufficientFuns

No indication of changing dates being at discretion, not included in the cancellation policy. Not that it would have made a difference, I’d no idea this would happen of course.

You’re right I should let it go I guess

You are asking to cancel your booking.

Moving the dates is simply cancelling then making another booking - surely you can see this from the owner's perspective?

MakeMeCleanTheHouse · 03/10/2021 07:22

It sounds like your Airbnb host does offer changes/cancellations but in ignoring you they are forcing you to break the timescale you're allowed to make those requests in? In which case go to Airbnb and start discussion with them. Its unreasonable of the airbnb host to not respond in 4 weeks. If they don't offer "no cancellation fees" or similar you just have to suck it up I'm afraid. Having spent years booking holidays with health issues hanging over us (not covered by insurance) I share your dismay. I now almost always book properties with free cancellation until close to the date.

Suitcaseseverywhere · 03/10/2021 07:22

I agree with everyone else. You’re cancelling.

Claim on your travel insurance

Original poster
lnsufficientFuns · 03/10/2021 07:26

I contacted them a month ago and they ignored me, that is the point

There are clear options on the property page to change dates

OP posts:
makelovenotpetrol · 03/10/2021 07:28

@lnsufficientFuns

I contacted them a month ago and they ignored me, that is the point

There are clear options on the property page to change dates

Oh well then definitely contact Airbnb then as people have suggested Hopefully they can help you.
lannistunut · 03/10/2021 07:29

@lnsufficientFuns

I contacted them a month ago and they ignored me, that is the point

There are clear options on the property page to change dates

What does the property page actually say?
Suitcaseseverywhere · 03/10/2021 07:30

What does the page say about moving dates though? You’re very close to when you were supposed to go

Georgiesgirl · 03/10/2021 07:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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