To ask to change dates on nonrefundable airbnb booking

[Holidayproblem]

Firstly, I would never usually book non-refundable accommodation but unfortunately the owner of the villa we booked months ago cancelled on us a couple of weeks ago resulting in a frantic & stessful search for a replacement villa (we fly in 3 weeks). The only suitable place we could find was non-refundable so we went for it just last week never imagining we might need to cancel so close.

How wrong was I! This weekend, my elderly mum suddenly went rapidly downhill and we've been told it may be a matter of days/weeks, but impossible to know. We can't afford to lose that amount of money so if we cancel we will not be able to book another holiday once it's all over. I seriously doubt the insurance will pay out as they don't cover pre-existing or terminal conditions (she has alzheimers).

We were so looking forward to this after a difficult year and will need the break even more if my mum does pass. It's possible that we may still be able to go depending on timings, how long we have to wait for the funeral etc (typically 3 weeks round here) but it's all so uncertain. Obviously I would not leave the country if she hadn't passed.

Looking at the availability of the villa, they have no bookings for the autumn (it's quite a new listing with no reviews) so I wondered if it might be asking if they would consider letting us change dates if necessary? Our preference would still be the planned dates as it will involve taking kids out of school which is not ideal but something I'm prepared to do to save the holiday for them.

I have built up a bit of a rapour with the host who was sympathetic and helpful when we told her about the issue with our original booking.

Has anyone had experience of doing this? Not sure when to broach it if we do. Am at a loss....

Thanks.

Will your travel insurance not cover it?

There really isn’t any point asking us. Just speak to the host. Literally no one on here can help you with this.

How late are you hoping to change? As a host I would allow you to cancel and try to rebook and if I rebooked then I'd refund you. If you want to move the booking you can ask - it might be that it's a super popular area and they'd definitely get a booking if you cancel now but the nearer to the date of the booking the less likely they are to fill the week.

Why wouldn’t you just ask the host?

I think you could ask, but it would be a bit unfair to wait and then change the dates as they will want to get someone else in your original dates to cover the costs. So you probably need to decide on a week now and stick to it.

Yeah I know it will depend on the host but I've no idea what to do and wondered if anyone else had been in a similar position.

I have an airbnb and in those circumstances I would accept a change. Particularly if it was only recently booked and is three weeks away. You should message the host and see what they say. Sorry about your Mummy 🥲

No harm in asking but if they say no that’s their prerogative. If not perhaps you can sell it on?

@Holidayproblem : I am an Airbnb host (although mine is small & cancellable).

I think you should consider that the owner is unlikely to get another booking to cover that week at such short notice, so probably won’t agree to refund you (I know this was not your question) & would ask you to claim any cancellation on insurance

Re a date change : If you want to book different dates; ask if the host will change the booking for you, which they may be amenable to do. If it’s a new property this may explain why they have a lot if availability in coming months

Just explain the situation and hope for the best. If she says no I’d still send DH off with the kids so at least some people f you can enjoy the booking

The dates can’t be sold on - it’s against airbnb policy

OP - just ask the host and explain your circumstances while being understanding of the fact it’s a business for them

I think most people would just write off the cost if their Mum was dying. Trying to see if you could still squeeze it in after the funeral of someone who hadn’t actually died yet is just so bizarre to me.

Ask the host if you can move it to next year. They can only say no. And they may say yes.