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Updated over 2 years ago,
New AirBnB host cancellation fees of of up $1k/stay coming 8/22
Any other AirBnB hosts catch the latest AirBnB host cancellation policy update?
While it's rare I have to cancel on guests for any of my rentals, it's certainly happened where an Instant Book rolls up where comms look something like this: "coming up for a bachelor/bachelorette party, really excited!" on a listing clearly marked as no parties, followed up by a guest who can't or won't accurately answer basic check-in form questions before arrival.
Failing to cancel soon after such guests booking = bad things ensuing.
While I can appreciate AirBnB feeling like host cancellations make them "look bad," viewed side-by-side by their push over the last couple years for Flex/Moderate guest cancellation policies guaranteeing full guest refund up to 5 days before check-in this certainly feels like further eroding of host positions on AirBnB.
If this is of concern, I'd recommend deactivating Instant Booking on AirBnB on/before 8/22/22 to continue your allowance for penalty-free screening or cancellation of guest bookings that don't work for your needs.
Current policy:
$50 USD for cancellations of reservations > 7d before check-in
$100 USD for cancellations < 7 days before check-in
New Policy (as of 8/22/22): $50 - $1,000
> 30d out: 10% of reservation
48h - 30d out: 25% of reservation
< 48h of check-in 50% of reservation)
A simple example in actual dollars is helpful to illustrate potential host impact here:
Take a $500/night, weeklong rental ($3,500 - not including 17% AirBnB fees of $595) cancelled by a host on AirBnb. After 8/22/22 that looks like this:
> 30 days out: $350 host fee
48h - 30d out: $875 host fee
< 48h out: $1750 host fee
Anyone else see this?
Thoughts/reaction?