Sooner or later you’ll need to cancel a reservation. Understanding when you can cancel a reservation is important, as cancelling bookings can have a negative impact on future bookings.
Avoid Cancelling At All Costs
Airbnb really doesn’t like cancellation as it can cause issues for the travellers and financial penalties may apply. They do this as it can result in a bad experience for the traveller. If the travellers their first time booking, 80% of the time they will not rebook which results in Airbnb losing customer.
Airbnb does give longtime hosts one cancellation every six months where no penalties will apply.
If you need to cancel it can be done here on their site.
The Costs of Cancelling
If you cancel a booking that is further than 7 days away then you will be charged $50. If you cancel with less than 7 days before the booking is due to start then you will be charged $100. The cancellation fees will be deducted from your next pay out.
Reputation
Cancelling after your one cancellation allowance will result in an Automated Public Review.
Airbnb will also delay the ability for you to achieve Super Host status for 1 year after the date of the cancellation.
Cancelling your booking can also result in your calendar being blocked for the dates your guests we meant to stay.
Extenuating Circumstances
If you need to cancel because of an unavoidable situation, then you’ll need to provide Airbnb with documentation of circumstance, and they will waive the penalties.
This can include but not limited to:
- Death in the family
- Serious Illnesses
- Issues with the property from freeholders
- Severe damage (flooding, no running water)
- Safety concerns
- Natural disasters
Instant Bookings
From time-to-time, you may get bookings that you feel uncomfortable with. It is worth noting that you can cancel such bookings penalty-free an unlimited number of times. However, remember, if you continue to cancel bookings, the option for Instant Booking, may be turned off.
Refunds
Airbnb issues a complete refund to the guests within 24-hours. If it is very close to check-in they will contact the guests directly to explain to them the issue and will help find them comparable accommodation.
Before You Cancel
If you need to cancel, search the Airbnb site on your guests’ behalf to try to and find a comparable, alternative accommodation. Since you know the area well, you will know the good and bad spots of your city. This will help make their transition to a new accommodation that much smoother.
Bulk Cancellations
If you need to cancel more than one booking then you will need to call Customer Service to help you complete this.
Pro Tip – Airbnb Secrets
Should you need to cancel a guests reservation, do not cancel via the website. Call Airbnb Customer Support and explain to them the circumstances why you need to cancel. This way you may avoid the automated review that you’ll get if you cancel via the website and you can keep hold of your superhost status.
Watch this video for more Airbnb cancellation information
