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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 07:33

Just has a request move date option

I emailed him first to check and he ignored me. I also get that moving it by a year is huge and wanted to know if it would be better to move to Easter instead

OP posts:
Georgiesgirl · 03/10/2021 07:33

Oops

Gizlotsmum · 03/10/2021 07:34

If their listing allows changes of dates/ cancellations before a certain date and you requested this prior to that date then you could challenge through air bnb.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
Fallagain · 03/10/2021 07:36

What are the terms and conditions?

If you are claiming on your insurance then you will probably need a doctors letter to support your claim. You can ring your insurance company and ask

lannistunut · 03/10/2021 07:37

@lnsufficientFuns

Just has a request move date option

I emailed him first to check and he ignored me. I also get that moving it by a year is huge and wanted to know if it would be better to move to Easter instead

What does the listing say about moving dates and cancellations?

What are Airbnb standard t&C's?

Suitcaseseverywhere · 03/10/2021 07:39

You’re at most wanting to cancel with two weeks to go.

I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a cancellation fee.

Just claim on your insurance.

Snookie00 · 03/10/2021 07:39

@lnsufficientFuns

Just has a request move date option

I emailed him first to check and he ignored me. I also get that moving it by a year is huge and wanted to know if it would be better to move to Easter instead

Moving it to Easter makes no difference to going next October - why do you think it would? If he gives you a free date move then unless he can rent the place at short notice, he will have a void week. So he loses money because you’ve change your date. Why wouldn’t you claim on your insurance?
Doidontimmm · 03/10/2021 07:44

I was an Airbnb host, never happened to me but know through groups that guests used this as a way to cancel without having to pay ie change dates to one that fell within the 100% refund cancellation period and then cancel once the host accepted. Unfortunately these type of guests have made hosts wary and it effects genuine people like you as he is likely thinking you are making up a sob story :(

ThirdElephant · 03/10/2021 07:48

Isn't an air b'n'b often someone's home? He might not be able to reschedule if someone will be living there then.

Wedowonder · 03/10/2021 07:51

As a self employed small business owner myself, I get his point.

I'm so sorry to hear of your dad. But a cancellation (your reason is as good as) at such short notice will likely mean he won't fill the slot and he will be out of pocket.

Air b and b should have a policy that if it gets re rented by sometime else on the date of a cancellation, that you should get your cancellation fee back.

UsernameFail · 03/10/2021 07:55

I'm sorry about your dad and hope he's getting better.

I am an Airbnb host and a lot of the issues people complain about lie with Airbnb (the platform) rather than the host. For example: if the host cancels or changes the booking, the host is penalised by Airbnb.
Airbnb take a cut of the cancellation fees to cover their service charges.

Even as a host, when Covid started and we tried to delay or cancel bookings Airbnb refused (without penalty).

I would suggest contacting Airbnb directly but I suspect they will say no because they themselves are losing out.

MaggieFS · 03/10/2021 07:55

Sorry about your Dad, but you are effectively cancelling for the dates you'd booked.

I hope your travel insurance comes good. It's what it's for!

MsHedgehog · 03/10/2021 08:07

You need to check the t&cs of your own booking, not what the listing says. It could very well have been different when you booked it.

MsHedgehog · 03/10/2021 08:08

And I’m sorry about your dad. I hope he makes a full recovery.

Malin52 · 03/10/2021 08:09

We have an Airbnb with strict cancellation (why we keep our prices low). I will always accept a change but my bookings are only open 3 months in advance.

Maybe he can't be sure he can offer you that date so has stuck to his canx policies. I couldn't agree to that date and would offer a canx but I would always offer a full refund on that basis.

gogohm · 03/10/2021 08:15

Cancelling under 8 weeks using means loosing money (postponing still means they loose revenue this year, doesn't help the owner) insurance should cover your losses

YellowMonday · 03/10/2021 14:24

It's a costly lesson, but options for the listing are shown before you proceed with payment. This includes if you can cancel your booking (and any fees) or if you can change the dates of the booking (not many owners offer this now).

Check your insurance product details to see if you're covered in this situation to claim the 50% cancellation fee.

HouseOfFire · 03/10/2021 14:38

@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

But if you move the dates, he's unlikely to be able to let for the original date?
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