How to Get a Refund From Airbnb During a Pandemic
So: you booked a vacation on Airbnb – and now, thanks to the pandemic, you are stuck at home. Will you get your money back and how are you going to find out?
Updated Airbnb Policy
Airbnb has always had a “extenuating circumstance” clause in its policy, which covers emergencies, serious illness, cancellation of carriage, government-mandated obligations, or death. Now, in the midst of a pandemic, Airbnb has updated its policy to reflect its impact on hosts and guests. This new clause applies to bookings that were booked no later than March 14, 2020 for which the check-in date was May 31 or earlier.
This policy also applies to foreign hosts or guests who have booked Airbnb outside of the United States and must change or cancel their trip as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes canceling shipments, closing borders, or diagnosing a suspected COVID-19 infection.
Reserved Stays and Airbnb Experiences meeting these criteria will receive a full refund, including fees. Again, these reservations must be made on or before March 14th for check-in dates between March 14th and May 31st, 2020. You will be offered travel credit for future bookings or a full cash refund.
If the order was placed after March 14th, it will be considered under the mitigation policy if either you or the host has entered into a COVID-19 contract.
Reservations not covered by COVID-19 policy
If you booked Airbnb after March 14 and did not get sick, you are not covered by the COVID-19 policy. If your arrival date is after May 31st, you are not (yet) insured.
Cancellations for non-covered dates will be based on the host’s selected cancellation policy, which can be one of the following.
Flexible
You get free cancellation 14 days prior to arrival date. If you have booked your stay or have stayed less than 14 days before your check-in date, you are only eligible for a free cancellation 48 hours after booking and no later than 24 hours before check-in. You may then receive a refund for your daily stay and cleaning fees, but service charges will still apply.
Moderate
You can cancel your reservation 14 days prior to arrival. However, if you booked a room shorter than 14 days prior to check-in, you will only be allowed 48 hours in advance of your free cancellation, provided there are no more than 5 days left before check-in date.
Strict
Due to this policy, guests can only cancel reservations 48 hours after booking if dropped 14 days prior to check-in date. If you cancel your reservation 7 days prior to arrival, you will receive 50% of the daily rate with cleaning fees.
For Airbnb reservations that are long term or booked more than 30 or 60 days in advance , please review these cancellation policies here.
You can find cancellation and refund options for your reservation on the Travel page on the Airbnb website or app.
What Airbnb Needs From You
If you are requesting a refund, you will need one of these:
- Screenshot of the official government website detailing travel restrictions (the government can be either at your current location or at a planned destination).
- A signed and dated letter from a healthcare professional stating the name of the person on the booking and the reason they are unable to travel.
- Proof of cancellation of carriage
- A letter from your employer stating that you need to work
If you do not have the above proof, you can get a travel loan, but not a full cash refund.
In an interview with USA Today, Airbnb spokesman Ben Breit noted that of all Airbnb bookings canceled in the last month, 86% of their booking fees have been refunded.
How Airbnb Refunds Affect Airbnb Hosts
Unfortunately, when guests get their money back, Airbnb does not bear the cost, and the hosts do not.
On March 16, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky responded to the concerns of the hosts, detailing how they, in turn, would receive refunds for canceled bookings.
- Airbnb will pay hosts $ 250 million in compensation for canceled bookings due to coronavirus made on or before March 14.
- Hosts will receive 25% of what they would have received if canceled as per normal policy. The $ 10 million Superhost Relief Fund will offer grants of up to $ 5,000 to “harmed hosts” who need help paying rent or mortgages.
- Airbnb will help ease financial contributions from guests looking to support hosts facing the coronavirus financial crisis.
- U.S. hosts are also eligible for assistance under the COVID-19 Assistance Act passed by Congress and signed by the President.