PSA: AirBNB changes refund policy, no longer considers COVID 19 as "unforseen"

jimbobaus on 30/05/2021 - 21:41
Last edited 31/05/2021 - 00:41 by 1 other user

Just a PSA for those of you who may be booking accommodation with the understanding that refunds are easy to get etc due to current situation.

AirBNB has today updated it cancellation policy to exclude COVID 19 as a valid reason for a refund.

“After the declaration of Covid-19 as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, the extenuating circumstances policy no longer applies because Covid-19 and its consequences are no longer unforeseen or unexpected,”

Essentially you are now at the mercy of the host as to whether you get a refund due to needing to cancel.
AirBNB will not step in and give you the refund if your cancellation is due to COVID 19 related incidents, lock downs etc

Airbnb changes refund policy as it no longer considers Covid cancellations ‘unforeseen’

Note: AirBNB announced this policy change in Oct 2020 however there has been some discretion in regards to whether you can get a refund. As of May 30th the discretion is gone and the policy has taken effect.

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Comments

  • oscargamer on 30/05/2021 - 21:42
    -8

    Ok .

  • SF3 on 30/05/2021 - 21:44
    +11

    Thanks OP. 👍

  • mtr on 30/05/2021 - 21:46
    +3

    The change to Airbnb’s cancellations and refunds policy, introduced in October last year, means Covid is no longer considered an extenuating circumstance.

    As the article says, the update happened many months ago. Best I was able to do on a cancelled booking was a refund of the cleaning fee.

    • JimmyF on 30/05/2021 - 23:27

      Yes was thinking this happened months and months ago!

    • jimbobaus on 31/05/2021 - 00:37

      The change was announced in October
      Enacted as of May 30 2021

      They have been doing refunds up until this month, i believe there was some discretion in regards to it but as of May 30 that option is gone.
      Aunt got a refund in Dec and the customer care person explained at that time there was a policy shift coming

  • 87percent on 30/05/2021 - 21:55
    +2

    Could you reschedule it, and then cancel it?

  • Quantumcat on 30/05/2021 - 22:03

    I thought they did that like a year ago?

    • jimbobaus on 31/05/2021 - 00:38

      Announced in Oct 2020
      Enacted 30/5

  • bobbified on 30/05/2021 - 22:10
    +4

    "…Covid-19 and its consequences are no longer unforeseen or unexpected,…"

    For a long time now, it's a bit hard to claim it to be "unforeseen" or "unexpected" anymore.
    Unless someone's been living in a cave (not a bat cave!)

    • sparkles on 31/05/2021 - 11:27

      Agree, COVID 19 lockdown should no longer be considered unforseen, it should be assumed or anticipated, especially if you are from VIC. This is becoming the new normal. Basically, don't take off on holidays if you can't afford for them to be cancelled, or you can't afford to be stuck somewhere else.

  • Clear on 30/05/2021 - 23:58
    +1

    No surprises there. Now the real question is can you get travel insurance to provide cover if it was to be cancelled?

    • dizzle on 31/05/2021 - 08:25

      From my understanding, most insurances will cover any losses if you or someone travelling gets covid, but won't cover any that are due to lockdowns mandated by the government.

  • vt on 31/05/2021 - 01:16

    Where does it say it was enacted 30/5? Am currently going thru this for a booking on the 28/5 so hope that is the case.

    Their support have made it clear that Airbnb do not offer anything and it is upto the host whether anything is refunded which aligns with what I could find on their site:

  • DreadPirateRoberts on 31/05/2021 - 09:41

    As many posters have said, this came into effect last year in October. Missus and I had booked a place in NSW (green zone) for January '21 but got absolutely smacked by Vic lockdown. Our AirBnB host was lovely and refunded us the full amount as we messaged her as soon as lockdown happened. Created a bit of goodwill with her and we'll be looking to book her place next summer (provided everything is open…)

  • Ocker on 31/05/2021 - 10:45
    +1

    A bit unfair me thinks
    "consequences are no longer unforeseen or unexpected" The consequences may not be unexpected, but the actual occurrence of an event would be unexpected.
    Such a rule is like not being able to claim on a car insurance policy for an accident, on the basis that driving on the road may result in an accident and therefore is not unexpected.

    • samfisher5986 on 01/06/2021 - 13:14

      Its not really unfair as Airbnb are not an insurance provider.

      • Ocker on 01/06/2021 - 13:44

        You obviously fail to see the situational similarity

  • ozb-lurker on 31/05/2021 - 21:13

    I had booked for Melbourne from 5/06/21 and cancelled as soon as lockdown was announced. Got a full refund, no questions asked, even though the host's policy was payment of the first night. +1 from me to the host!

    Now, waiting with fingers crossed as to whether Jetstar will provide a credit voucher for the starter fare paid!

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