AirB&B - rant

[Radiatorvalves]

Trying to keep the costs down I booked an AirB&B in a large city. Last night, with 48 hours to go, I had a message from the host asking if I needed early check in or late check out at $75 each. I said no thanks. An hour later the booking was cancelled.

I spent ages on the phone. There is now limited availability, and nothing available in the area I’d booked at a similar price. They keep suggesting cheaper properties 30/40 km away. I feel over a barrel but I have agreed to pay an additional $180 to secure a booking.

Perhaps I should not have used them. Certainly a hotel would not have been much cheaper. ….

How common is it that people have issues or horror stories when using AirB&B? Most people I know say it’s ok.

AIBU to never use AirB&B again?

Had a terrible experience with them in London recently, luckily after a lot of faff got a refund - but would not use in a city again tbh.

My husband booked a nice air BnB in Brighton for a mini break for him and 2 of our kids. They cancelled 2 days before they were due to leave!! So bloody annoying cos my husband had to think of a whole new trip

But that's a faff, & if the argument is there's sufficient storage not to have to use the hooks, why not remove the hooks premanently?

I mean, I wouldn't complain about it as a guest because I'd just leave the door open, but the actual guest isn't being stupid - as has been suggested.

No. If I’d cancelled, no refund. Very unbalanced T&C.

Had this with Airbnb in Barcelona. I think some countries and cities are making it difficult for hosts on airbnb. It was grim for me having booked weekend months earlier and it was cancelled a week before. Took awhile to get avregund as well.
I had a similar with booking.com however they refunded us immediately AND gave us compensation. That cancellation was within hours and I'd just landed in the country!!!

The only issue I’ve ever had with a rental property was via booking.com when a holiday apartment in Barcelona didn’t exist - contacted the host and they said they had changed to one miles outside of the centre and when I contacted booking.com eventually got a refund after a lot of back and forward

Have you posted by mistake?

In which case, in a court of law, the T&Cs would be deemed unfair, so if you were not allowed to cancel at short notice and would have lost the full amount, then they shouldn't be able to just cancel either without losing out.

I'd guess they have someone else staying and the excuse is a load of rubbish?

I’ve only used properties run by Superhosts on Air BnB and have had brilliant accommodation all over the UK with no issues. I would imagine that Superhosts give far fewer (no?) issues for their guests.

Are you willing to share the niche alternatives?