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Original poster

No WiFi in Airbnb

197 replies

EatingRipeCamembert · 23/08/2024 09:02

How much refund would you request if there was no WiFi in your Airbnb?

We're here for six nights, four of us, phone signal barely works in the area.

Having no WiFi is having a big impact on our holiday, teen & young adult DC are cut off from contacting friends and we can't watch TV or films in the evenings.

We can't do the things we'd usually do in between going out.

I'd never have chosen somewhere without WiFi, the property is listed as having it and the host has been very casual about it not working. I asked for it to be fixed but the host says she can't give me any assurances. I've asked for a partial refund and she's said she'll need to ask her brother, but hasn't got back to me.

I've seen that Airbnb has a facility to request a partial refund, I have to suggest the amount.

We paid around £1700 for 6 nights, what's a reasonable amount to request for a partial refund?

OP posts:
hopeishere · 23/08/2024 09:06

Tricky. What's the issue that needs "fixed"?

I'd not expect a massive refund. Maybe £20 per night?

Radiatorvalves · 23/08/2024 09:08

Can you hotspot? What’s the cost of that? In France we get a dongle and it’s about £100 fir 2 weeks.Annoying but I’m sat at home hot spotting as WiFi has just gone down…

Shiningout · 23/08/2024 09:09

Having WiFi is a must/big factor for a lot of people especially with kids or teens. I'd be expecting some kind of compensation for not having it, no idea what amount I'd suggest not huge but definitely something.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
PivotPivotmakingmargaritas · 23/08/2024 09:09

Thats terrible - I’d be asking for 700 refund- sorry but 2024 no wifi in an air bnb (unless truly rural and advised in advance) is not ok. I’ve got teens that would be climbing the walls

HermioneWeasley · 23/08/2024 09:10

Well you wouldn’t have booked the property if you’d known it didn’t have it so I’d say 50%

Frequency · 23/08/2024 09:11

Stupid question but I assume you've tried basic troubleshooting eg resetting the router, checking the cables are securely seated etc.

Edingril · 23/08/2024 09:11

Was it advertised as having WiFi?

HunterHearstHelmsley · 23/08/2024 09:12

I probably wouldn't pick somewhere without WiFi either so that must be really frustrating. However, it's not something I think would warrant a big refund. I've just had a very cursory look (and I don't know what networks work in the area), you can get a Vodafone dongle with unlimited WiFi for 30 days for £62. Personally, I'd ask if she would pay for that and an extra £10 for the inconvenience of having to sort it.

Smithhy · 23/08/2024 09:16

Edingril · 23/08/2024 09:11

Was it advertised as having WiFi?

Well it says so in the OP….

Chrsytalchondalier · 23/08/2024 09:16

I know it's a novel concept, but how about you just don't use it while you're on holiday. It will probably do you all good. It's a bit sad that we can't live without it

TenarAtuan · 23/08/2024 09:19

HunterHearstHelmsley · 23/08/2024 09:12

I probably wouldn't pick somewhere without WiFi either so that must be really frustrating. However, it's not something I think would warrant a big refund. I've just had a very cursory look (and I don't know what networks work in the area), you can get a Vodafone dongle with unlimited WiFi for 30 days for £62. Personally, I'd ask if she would pay for that and an extra £10 for the inconvenience of having to sort it.

Yes, this!
It's annoying but a minor inconvenience in the broad scheme of things, with an affordable solution.

hopeishere · 23/08/2024 09:20

Chrsytalchondalier · 23/08/2024 09:16

I know it's a novel concept, but how about you just don't use it while you're on holiday. It will probably do you all good. It's a bit sad that we can't live without it

I knew someone would come along and say that.

We use WiFi to look at maps, research where to go, find restaurants, plan public transport, download books, read about what we've seen etc etc.

It's not all just for mindless scrolling!! And there is nothing wrong with that either!!!!

Simonjt · 23/08/2024 09:22

As the phone signal barely works 4/5g will also be poor, so a dongle wouldn’t be much use.

We always book somewhere with wifi, we both work part time so often at least one of us is working while away, so no wifi would mean either one of us going home, or having to go elsewhere to work.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 23/08/2024 11:22

Chrsytalchondalier · 23/08/2024 09:16

I know it's a novel concept, but how about you just don't use it while you're on holiday. It will probably do you all good. It's a bit sad that we can't live without it

10 years ago I would have agreed. But now so much information is online, so many places require, or encourage, advanced booking and communication is heavily dependent on it.

Travelling with 2 teens in a non-English speaking country it has also been a godsend in terms of determining train times etc; and also for all of us to learn some language before we went!

The world uses the internet. Unless you are having a "fly and flop" type holiday with a rep, it's pretty essential - even to download books to my kindle in order to keep my luggage weight down!

Regardless of peoples' dependent on the www, if a accomdation was advertised with WiFi /a bath/house elf etc that is what is expected to find, and fully functional.

Hoppinggreen · 23/08/2024 11:24

Chrsytalchondalier · 23/08/2024 09:16

I know it's a novel concept, but how about you just don't use it while you're on holiday. It will probably do you all good. It's a bit sad that we can't live without it

If she wanted to do that then she wouldn't have picked a place with WiFi.
Is getting what you booked and paid for a Novel Concept now?

Original poster
EatingRipeCamembert · 23/08/2024 17:42

Thanks for all the responses.

We're making the most of our unexpectedly off grid holiday, we've found a tourist office and bought a pack of cards.

Three of us love reading, but I feel sorry for my youngest as he prefers podcasts but can't listen to any.

Researching anything in detail eg restaurants is out. To get phone signal we have to stand in the garage!

I still can't decide how much £ to ask for via Airbnb (you have to request an amount).

I love that one of you suggested 50% and someone else said £700, but I wonder if the 10-15% I saw suggested on a reddit thread would be more appropriate.

I agree with those of you who've said it's an essential service.

OP posts:
Desrae · 23/08/2024 17:47

You can request whatever you want but who decides? Air BNB or the property owner?

Out of interest is the area incredibly rural? Even if there was wifi would it be decent. Pop the postcode into a BT checker and have a look.

LeafHunter · 23/08/2024 17:51

Was it advertised as having WiFi, and did they message you beforehand and say it wasn’t working? Has it worked at all since you were there?

ErrolTheDragon · 23/08/2024 17:52

Three of us love reading, but I feel sorry for my youngest as he prefers podcasts but can't listen to any.

Is there anywhere with decent signal or an Internet cafe in the area where he can download a load of them?

I think that you should be given a significant refund. WiFi was advertised, you wouldn't have booked that place otherwise. Internet of some sort is pretty much an essential service nowadays.

steadywinner · 23/08/2024 17:54

You haven't said what's wrong with the wifi and if you've attempted to sort it? Most WiFi issues are very temporary.

rainbowunicorn · 23/08/2024 18:03

Radiatorvalves · 23/08/2024 09:08

Can you hotspot? What’s the cost of that? In France we get a dongle and it’s about £100 fir 2 weeks.Annoying but I’m sat at home hot spotting as WiFi has just gone down…

She says that there is barely any phone signal so doubt hot spotting will be successful.

rainbowunicorn · 23/08/2024 18:04

Edingril · 23/08/2024 09:11

Was it advertised as having WiFi?

It says so in the OP

rainbowunicorn · 23/08/2024 18:06

Chrsytalchondalier · 23/08/2024 09:16

I know it's a novel concept, but how about you just don't use it while you're on holiday. It will probably do you all good. It's a bit sad that we can't live without it

Not really the point and doesn't help the OP. It was advertised as having wifi so it should have working wifi or they should refund.

Putting · 23/08/2024 18:08

Chrsytalchondalier · 23/08/2024 09:16

I know it's a novel concept, but how about you just don't use it while you're on holiday. It will probably do you all good. It's a bit sad that we can't live without it

What do you enjoy doing / using on holiday?

Imagine not being able to do that.

LlynTegid · 23/08/2024 18:08

I'd think to ask 10-15% as mentioned.

Regardless of my opinion of Air BnB and wish they closed down, it is false advertising if it is not there and you were not warned beforehand.

I don't think it's enough of a missed facility to ask for a bank chargeback.