Are Airbnb's booking policies sexist?

[pileapetals]

Last April, I cancelled an overseas holiday due to Covid (planes weren't flying, was the responsible thing to do anyway, etc.) Airbnb credited my account instead of giving me a refund at the time (a refund was not an option).

This year, I find out I'm pregnant and due date is end November. Airbnb's credit expires end December this year. As I'm pregnant (ie. lower immunity) and still have no idea when I can get my covid shots, it's unreaslistic to expect travel whilst pregnant, and definitely don't see myself taking a holiday in December with an infant just a few weeks old.

So I call Airbnb and ask for the credit to be extended for a year so the credit doesn't go to waste. Airbnb flat out refuses, saying "you agreed to our terms and conditions". I escalate the case, and get passed from one male representative to another male rep. I again explain why I would be unable to travel given the ongoing uncertainties relating to travel in my current condition. The rep insists that they won't do anything and the voucher will just have to expire. Though he's fully aware of my condition and the enhanced risks that Covid poses to those pregnant, he further adds that they won't do anything because their policies need to reflect "equality and impartiality".

Implicit in his statement is that he cannot make an exception for pregnant women because it's not something that can be applied to male customers. I find his statement and Airbnb's booking policy extremely sexist. By his definition of what is equality and impartiality, maternity leave should not exist in the world because that's a benefit that is extended only to the gender capable of giving birth, and health insurers cannot extend coverage for screening of prostate cancer since that's only a test applicable to men but not women. What a horrible world that would be!

In my view, Airbnb's booking policy makes no consideration for the one of the most basic biological phenomenon on the planet: pregnancy, the very thing that gives us all life.

I can let the voucher expire worthless and waste my money, but I don't see why I should, especially since I've done nothing wrong here?! Unless Airbnb's view is that my one crime is being pregnant whilst in a Covid world?!

AIBU to think they are being ridiculous for refusing to extend the voucher validity here?

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

I was going to say yabu, until you mentioned his statement about “it can’t be applied to male customers”. That’s patently not a good reason, as there are loads of policies in the world (pregnancy related included) that can’t be applied to male customers.

I’m nit sure if this creates such a problem for them as to invalidate their entire policy though - I expect not

I’d use it for a U.K. booking instead.

It’s weird though, as I’ve had Eurostar vouchers extended automatically even though I’ve got no particular reason.

But he didn't say that, OP just felt it was 'implicit in his statement', ie it's something that she read into it that may or may not have been what was actually meant (my guess is not)

I was given a spa day voucher for Christmas 2019. It needed to be used by December 2020. Clearly, spas closed during COVID. My voucher was extended to December 2021. I don’t fancy sitting in a spa and risking any illness (my choice) so fully intent to waste the spa voucher. I would never expect them to extend it for another year, to December 2022 to wait and see if/when I feel comfortable using it.

YABU. You are CHOOSING not to use your credit, so you lose it. It’s not their issue, it’s yours.

As an aside, you are not the first woman to be pregnant during a pandemic.

Hardbackwriter But he didn't say that, OP just felt it was 'implicit in his statement', ie it's something that she read into it that may or may not have been what was actually meant (my guess is not)

You would hope not, but it is the holiday industry and they do seem to attempt to evade their legal responsibilities quite frequently.

The "equality" thing being quoted instead of equality of opportunity is one of those misunderstandings that does do the rounds because of the number of times it gets repeated. Along with ones like assuming all discrimination has to be direct discrimination or not offering like for like compensation or alternatives, or even the classic assuming that racism must be based on skin colour and doesn't cover nationality (thats a prevailing one on mumsnet).

Anyway, I fear I'm taking over this thread and being really annoying, so good luck OP!

AirnB pretty much always refuse stuff initially
Go on Twitter and complain on there
I’ve always get what I want from AirnB if I complain on Twitter 😂
Also AirnB on Reddit has lots of really useful info

Why can't you stay in the UK like the majority of the country this year? I don't understand the issue.

I'm not sure if you could challenge this legally, no doubt the two posters who have been debating back and forth on that will have given you a better insight into that.

What I would say is that you are pregnant and don't want to travel abroad, I think that is a sensible option, particularly if you don't intend to have the vaccine until after the baby's birth. What you can do is go away in the uk and if you are concerned about being high risk, pick a city destination instead of somewhere rural, if you have paper notes pack them with you and I would go in the second rather than the third trimester if you can (purely because you are concerned about being high risk). Being pregnant and then having a child means you will have to adjust your life in a different way than what you were previously used to and I think for you this is the first example of that. Unless you are put on bed rest there is no reason why you can't have a holiday, go out to work or do a number of things and I say that as a women with a high risk pregnancy too. Of course you would need to take due care and stick to wearing your mask, avoiding crowded places but it can be done.

If you really don't want to and don't get anywhere legally then why not try to sell the voucher to a friend or family member?

YABU.

Use the voucher, book a lovely cottage not too far away, within distance of the local hospital. Bring your hospital notes and some books....relax.

You are making way too much of this and the drama is mostly your own doing.

OP afraid I agree with the others, but just wanted to say re vaccination I am also high risk pregnancy, discussed this at booking with midwife and she sorted it for me to be able to get the vaccination booked immediately. I've personally chosen to wait a few weeks till 2nd trimester, but you absolutely can get some agency over vaccination in your position if you want it

I don't think you are being terribly unreasonable. I am shocked so many think you are. The circumstances are outside your control, they set precedence before by extending due to Covid, why can't they do it again?

The statement that he " cannot make an exception for pregnant women because it's not something that can be applied to male customers" is appalling.

@Twistiesandshout

I don't think you are being terribly unreasonable. I am shocked so many think you are. The circumstances are outside your control, they set precedence before by extending due to Covid, why can't they do it again?

The statement that he " cannot make an exception for pregnant women because it's not something that can be applied to male customers" is appalling.

Again, he didn't say that, the OP felt he 'implied' it. I don't work for or particularly love AirBnB but I feel a bit sorry for them being slated repeatedly because people think their employee said something that the OP just made up in her head!

@3then2t0day321

Should have booked a refundable hotel or B&B instead

Exactly. We do this, even though it often costs more. You pay your money and you take your choice.

I don't think you are being terribly unreasonable. I am shocked so many think you are. The circumstances are outside your control, they set precedence before by extending due to Covid, why can't they do it again?

Covid shutdown was outside AirBnB and the OPs control.

Using the voucher at some point within the 20 months before it expires (April 20 - December 21) I entirely the OPs choice.

It is 6 months until December, unless the OP intends to never leave the house unless it is to go to the hospital then there is no reason they can't use the voucher for a break in the UK.

Book somewhere for the end of the season 2022, when baby will be a bit older

You chose to get pregnant/keep your pregnancy knowing that covid exists. You still have months to use your voucher. YABU

@Twistiesandshout

I don't think you are being terribly unreasonable. I am shocked so many think you are. The circumstances are outside your control, they set precedence before by extending due to Covid, why can't they do it again?

The statement that he " cannot make an exception for pregnant women because it's not something that can be applied to male customers" is appalling.

But the circumstances are in the OP's control - she doesn't want to travel because she is pregnant.

Covid is irrelevant (and even if it were, she'll be vaccinated within a few weeks, even if she's only 18).

The reason for not travelling now is because she has a high risk pregnancy and doesn't want to go a long way from home.

You could have used it last summer, you can use it this summer, they operate in this country too!

@Twistiesandshout

I don't think you are being terribly unreasonable. I am shocked so many think you are. The circumstances are outside your control, they set precedence before by extending due to Covid, why can't they do it again?

The statement that he " cannot make an exception for pregnant women because it's not something that can be applied to male customers" is appalling.

The circumstances are not out of her control. OP chose to get pregnant in a pandemic.

But the places are now open so OP can go so surely that doesn't apply to covid cancellation.
The OP wants fo extend the voicher further as their circumstances have now changed
If I book a caravan for july and then get pregnant or ill and can't go as I am higher risk of covid , I loose the money unless I have taken out insurance .
Circles how is the OP circumstances different ?

@Comefromaway but the air b & b place is open just the OP can't go so how does this apply ?

Depending where the air B and B is located it was very unlikely to be open last April as much of the World was locked down.

Please, please, read the thread. Its only 5 pages.

I don't want to bore everyone still further but it's already been pointed out multiple times where Air BnB have gone wrong and even the Competitions and Markets Authority have issued guidelines backing the law on frustration of contract and the standard remedies for it.

If you don't agree with the law or onow better than government agencies and think that profit making companies should get away with making up their own rules, I don't know what to suggest.

Please don't ask me to answer any more questions, much as I enjoy legal discussion, I'm boring myself now and I'm coming across as a sanctimonious twat!

Surely you just use it for a lovely uk break?!

I listened to a podcast where a mother was struggling with her MH just after baby was born. They booked a cottage in the county and escaped everything for a little while and focused on time with the baby. You might find that you are really glad to have the voucher.

Oh op I really wanted to be on your side on this one. But you chose to have a baby at an uncertain time (congrats!) YABU though

Is it too late to demand a refund, instead of the credit?