Understanding Airbnb Cancellation Policies: When Can Hosts Change Them?
When you receive a booking request on Airbnb, it's natural to wonder if the host can make changes to their cancellation policy once the request is accepted but before your reservation is confirmed. This article aims to clarify the situation, ensuring both hosts and guests are aware of the rules and their rights.
Can Hosts Change Their Cancellation Policy Before Confirming a Reservation?
Yes, an Airbnb host can indeed change their cancellation policy after accepting your booking request but before confirming the reservation. However, the specifics of this change depend on whether you have made a payment or not.
Summary of Scenarios
1. If You Have Not Made a Payment: If the payment has not been made, the new cancellation policy can be applied. This means that if a host changes the cancellation policy and you book later, the new policy will be in effect.
2. If You Have Made a Payment: Once you have paid for the booking, the original cancellation policy remains in effect, even if the host changes it. Guests need to be aware of this to protect their rights and understand their options.
Communication and Refunds
As long as you haven't made the payment, you can communicate with the host through Airbnb's messaging system. If the payment has already been made, Airbnb will refund the money, and the host will face penalties and lose points. This highlights the importance of communicating clearly and reviewing cancellation policies before finalizing a booking.
Host Cancelling a Booking
A host can cancel a booking for a variety of reasons, and it often puts the guest in a difficult position, requiring them to find alternative accommodation. If a host cancels after accepting a booking request without any valid reason, guests can leverage the terms of the listing agreement or contract to seek a refund.
Finalizing a Reservation
Accepting a booking request and confirming a reservation are similar but distinct actions. Once Airbnb confirms the reservation, the host commits to the booking, and the payment is taken from the guest. The cancellation policy that was active on the listing at that time will apply to the booking and cannot be changed retrospectively. A host can change their cancellation policy at any time, but this change won't affect bookings that have already been confirmed.
Impact of Changes in Cancellation Policy
Changes to your cancellation policy are only applied to future reservations and do not affect any pending or confirmed reservations. It's essential to select the appropriate cancellation policy as soon as you list your property. If you are unsure, it's better to choose a stricter policy to protect your interests.
By understanding these rules, both hosts and guests can navigate the Airbnb platform more effectively. Always review the cancellation policy before finalizing a booking to ensure you are comfortable with the terms.