Air BNB: how do I get a refund when travel isn't allowed?
Jun 2, 2020, 1:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Richmond .VA
Posts: 26
Air BNB: how do I get a refund when travel isn't allowed?
Due to go to England July 22 2020...Coronavirus +14 day quarantine and most recently an e mail from British Airways saying the flight is canceled. I have been back and forth with Airbnb to seek a refund or change of date under their extended circumstances policy but keep getting "we update on the 1st and 15th of the month keep watching to see if you'd be eligible for a refund" There where no updates on June 1. My host said there's not much they can do from their end. Any ideas of what else I could do ? Even if we wanted to go we couldn't !
Jun 6, 2020, 8:05 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,773
Did you book prior to March 14? My understanding is that their extenuating circumstances policy now includes check-in dates up to July 15:
https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/...avirus-covid19
For now I think you need to wait and keep an eye out for a further extension. A few weeks ago, it only included check-in dates through May 31, so they do extend it periodically. I would guess it will be very likely that your check-in date will be included soon.
https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/...avirus-covid19
For now I think you need to wait and keep an eye out for a further extension. A few weeks ago, it only included check-in dates through May 31, so they do extend it periodically. I would guess it will be very likely that your check-in date will be included soon.
Jul 1, 2020, 2:15 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 123
HOWEVER, there is another option if you click on get started at the bottom
"If you qualify for an extenuating circumstances exception to your host’s cancellation policy you can apply for a full cash refund by submitting official documentation for review.
Get started"
Shady AirBNB.
Jul 1, 2020, 11:02 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,773
Thank you, Taikucing, for this advice. I'm assuming I will soon be in this situation and will want a refund which I believe qualifies under the extenuating circumstances policy. Do you know if AirBnB accepts as 'documentation' the fact that the destination country is refusing visitors of one's citizenship? Or the fact that one's flight was cancelled due to COVID? We're about to be in the situation where our flight is cancelled plus I will not be permitted entry to the country where our AirBnB reservation is (booked in early February).
Jul 26, 2020, 9:01 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
Weather-related AIRBNB/VRBO
Has anyone had experience with airbnb/vrbo related to hurricanes? We are considering a trip to the USVI in early September. Certainly airlines will issue a waiver. Airbnb/VRBO similar waiver? Or is it a risk we take and loose the deposit?
Dec 16, 2020, 12:57 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
I considered an AirBnB to visit some friends in the USVI early September. I really didn't want to stay in a hotel. In early August, I asked three perspective properties re: hurricanes and COVID-19. Two of the three wrote that a full refund would be provided in case of a hurricane (I think the 3rd offered a credit). All three wrote 'no refund, no credit' if either the area was locked down or I (or a member of my party) was sick. I decided not to take the risk. Turns out St. Croix locked down roughly late August/early September.
Dec 28, 2020, 7:57 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2005
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With AirBnB the policy is pretty much up to the individual host and not with the company. The host as a private individual isn't responsible for travel bans or a pandemic so I wouldn't expect them to provide any refund. It's either travel insurance or bust.