| AirBnB Question... 09:36 - Jun 27 with 3734 views | blueasfook |
Off to Spain on Sunday (supposedly) and have booked an AirBnB for 10 days. The host is ignoring my messages to organise check-in for Sunday evening - just keeps saying "will text you tomorrow" for last few days, and it has now gone past the point where I can cancel and get a refund. I am a noob on AirBnB - only used it a couple of times previously. I am getting the impression he is trying to pull a fast one and am not impressed he's ignoring my messages - it feels like he's deliberately put me off until the cancellation period is done. I am getting concerned that he's going to fob me off and dont want to turn up on sunday and have nowhere to stay. What recourse do I have with AirBnB? Have paid nearly 2k for the AirbnB so dont want to lose that amount of money :(
[Post edited 27 Jun 9:36]
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| AirBnB Question... on 09:39 - Jun 27 with 2562 views | cookra |
been in a similar situation.
You can contact AirBnB and they will offer you accommodation similar to what you have booked in the same are. They only offer a full refund if the host cancels or it goes past the check-in time (which is not helpful).
Either way you wont lose your money. |  |
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| AirBnB Question... on 09:40 - Jun 27 with 2549 views | JakeITFC |
I think at this point they probably can’t cancel without you getting a full refund either so don’t think it is in their best interests. Airbnb can be a bit of a minefield but sometimes it is just that the hosts are busy doing their day job or whatever. I’d say just don’t panic and maybe have in your back pocket somewhere that you could stay last minute for that Sunday night if things don’t materialise (as Airbnb will sort you an alternative/refund on the Monday if needed). |  | | |
| AirBnB Question... on 09:40 - Jun 27 with 2544 views | blueasfook |
| AirBnB Question... on 09:39 - Jun 27 by cookra |
been in a similar situation.
You can contact AirBnB and they will offer you accommodation similar to what you have booked in the same are. They only offer a full refund if the host cancels or it goes past the check-in time (which is not helpful).
Either way you wont lose your money. |
Thanks! that's good to know. I will try one more time to contact him this morning and let him know I will be contacting AirBnB today if he continues to ignore my requests to organise check in.
Disappointing. Don't need the aggro for one and for two, the host has good reviews so don't know what's going on. | |
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| AirBnB Question... on 09:44 - Jun 27 with 2494 views | WeWereZombies |
Firstly, you are paying two hundred quid a night !!!!
Secondly, and equally unhelpful, I only used AirBnB a couple of times myself and gave up on them more than six years ago. Booking.com may not be perfect but I have done OK over the years mainly using them (often booking only hours before I check in) and have a track record that probably has hosts taking note that I always post a review, almost always favourable, and I think that gets me decent treatment.
Finally, what can you do to protect yourself from having nowhere to stay ? Maybe find a place on booking.com that does have same day cancellation and get ready to activate that if you find the AirBnB is duff. |  |
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| AirBnB Question... on 09:45 - Jun 27 with 2471 views | BanksterDebtSlave |
| AirBnB Question... on 09:40 - Jun 27 by blueasfook |
Thanks! that's good to know. I will try one more time to contact him this morning and let him know I will be contacting AirBnB today if he continues to ignore my requests to organise check in.
Disappointing. Don't need the aggro for one and for two, the host has good reviews so don't know what's going on. |
They've probably been reading your input on here. |  |
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| AirBnB Question... on 09:45 - Jun 27 with 2471 views | blueasfook |
| AirBnB Question... on 09:44 - Jun 27 by WeWereZombies |
Firstly, you are paying two hundred quid a night !!!!
Secondly, and equally unhelpful, I only used AirBnB a couple of times myself and gave up on them more than six years ago. Booking.com may not be perfect but I have done OK over the years mainly using them (often booking only hours before I check in) and have a track record that probably has hosts taking note that I always post a review, almost always favourable, and I think that gets me decent treatment.
Finally, what can you do to protect yourself from having nowhere to stay ? Maybe find a place on booking.com that does have same day cancellation and get ready to activate that if you find the AirBnB is duff. |
Yeah I will have a Plan B and from what others have said, I should get my money back if the booking falls through. Just annoying though, I dont think I will be using AirBnB again. | |
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| AirBnB Question... on 09:46 - Jun 27 with 2456 views | blueasfook |
| AirBnB Question... on 09:45 - Jun 27 by BanksterDebtSlave |
They've probably been reading your input on here. |
Well i did book it as "Blueas from TWTD" so maybe! | |
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| AirBnB Question... on 09:47 - Jun 27 with 2435 views | Churchman |
| AirBnB Question... on 09:40 - Jun 27 by blueasfook |
Thanks! that's good to know. I will try one more time to contact him this morning and let him know I will be contacting AirBnB today if he continues to ignore my requests to organise check in.
Disappointing. Don't need the aggro for one and for two, the host has good reviews so don't know what's going on. |
If the host has good reviews, it will work out as these things always do. I understand your worry though and the advice from more knowledgeable posters than me on here will hopefully reassure.
I’ve never used AirBnB, but I’d be very interested to know how it works from those who have. |  | | |
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| AirBnB Question... on 09:53 - Jun 27 with 2354 views | Cotty |
The communication is often not the best and sometimes last minute, but I've always got into the property in the end. You have to bear in mind that it's a side hustle for a lot of people and so you needing to know how to check in a week beforehand is probably not their top priority. I understand the anxiety though. My guess is that you'll be fine, but maybe get a cancellable hotel room booked just in case. |  | | |
| AirBnB Question... on 09:53 - Jun 27 with 2350 views | davblue |
| AirBnB Question... on 09:46 - Jun 27 by blueasfook |
Well i did book it as "Blueas from TWTD" so maybe! |
can you not get the EADT to do an article pronto?
Or contact the local paper in Spain so it can be in this afternoon's edition, goad him into sorting it out.
Ensure you have a picture of you looking grumpy, sad, your holiday has been ruined look, mention your hair is falling out, you have ED issues through the stress? |  | | |
| AirBnB Question... on 10:23 - Jun 27 with 2215 views | Westover |
I use them all the time and you usually get a message the morning you arrive giving you the pin number if it's a lock box or to arrange a time to meet, so I wouldn't worry personally.
Have a good holiday. |  | | |
| AirBnB Question... on 10:29 - Jun 27 with 2169 views | Basuco |
I have used Air BnB a few times and they have usually been last minute, but they were always very good when we were in the property. A guy in Menorca was very slow to respond before going but brilliant once we had arrived and easy to get hold of. |  | | |
| AirBnB Question... on 10:43 - Jun 27 with 2085 views | Basuco |
| AirBnB Question... on 09:47 - Jun 27 by Churchman |
If the host has good reviews, it will work out as these things always do. I understand your worry though and the advice from more knowledgeable posters than me on here will hopefully reassure.
I’ve never used AirBnB, but I’d be very interested to know how it works from those who have. |
I have used them about 10 times, always good when at the property, often slow to respond before you arrive. Usually it is people renting out a second home so they have day jobs and their own life as well as renting out a property. I would recommend them, but that might change depending on the outcome for Blueas! | | | |
| AirBnB Question... on 10:47 - Jun 27 with 2049 views | Lord_Lucan |
Hi Fooky
Greetings from sunny Faro - currently hovering at around 35c already.
I have only used Air BnB in UK and have had someone cancel on the day of my arrival.
I wouldn't dream of using Air BnB for anything more than a couple of nights in Birmingham and I certainly wouldn't base a holiday around it.
Hope this helps. |  |
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| AirBnB Question... on 10:49 - Jun 27 with 2043 views | blueasfook |
| AirBnB Question... on 10:47 - Jun 27 by Lord_Lucan |
Hi Fooky
Greetings from sunny Faro - currently hovering at around 35c already.
I have only used Air BnB in UK and have had someone cancel on the day of my arrival.
I wouldn't dream of using Air BnB for anything more than a couple of nights in Birmingham and I certainly wouldn't base a holiday around it.
Hope this helps. |
Yes that's allayed all my fears thanks!
Don't get sunburnt in Faro! | |
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| AirBnB Question... on 10:50 - Jun 27 with 2009 views | Lord_Lucan |
| AirBnB Question... on 10:49 - Jun 27 by blueasfook |
Yes that's allayed all my fears thanks!
Don't get sunburnt in Faro! |
Too late, I'm like a lobster.
Laters........... | |
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| AirBnB Question... on 11:02 - Jun 27 with 1927 views | BarcaBlue |
| AirBnB Question... on 09:47 - Jun 27 by Churchman |
If the host has good reviews, it will work out as these things always do. I understand your worry though and the advice from more knowledgeable posters than me on here will hopefully reassure.
I’ve never used AirBnB, but I’d be very interested to know how it works from those who have. |
I have 3 properties on Booking and Airbnb. From a host standpoint Airbnb are much better to work with than Booking.
If I was spending hundreds (or thousands) on a stay I would only book a place run by a Superhost on Airbnb and with a review score of over 9 on Booking, and with a minimum of 20 reviews.
Most properties here are actually run by agencies who offer a package of dealing with bookings, cleaning and emails. I wouldn't use one as a host unless absolutely forced to. Generally their service is poor to average and they will be the ones you talk to rather than the homeowners.
I personally mail guests a week before arrival, give them all the house and regional info as well as my WhatsApp number for any questions. I meet them at the property and offer to be there when they leave. An agency would do the bare minimum.
In reality it matters little if you book via Airbnb or Booking as it all depends on the host or agency. If there are issues, it's probably easier to get a resolution on Airbnb than Booking.
As for the OPs problem, I would definitely contact Airbnb and explain the issue. They will contact the host and you're more likely to get things sorted via the company. |  | | |
| AirBnB Question... on 11:05 - Jun 27 with 1893 views | BloomBlue |
AirBnB is pricing locals out of housing, time to stop using AirBnB. |  | | |
| AirBnB Question... on 11:08 - Jun 27 with 1865 views | blueasfook |
| AirBnB Question... on 11:05 - Jun 27 by BloomBlue |
AirBnB is pricing locals out of housing, time to stop using AirBnB. |
Thanks for that Pedro Sanchez. Para el mucho, no el poco | |
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| AirBnB Question... on 11:11 - Jun 27 with 1856 views | BarcaBlue |
| AirBnB Question... on 11:05 - Jun 27 by BloomBlue |
AirBnB is pricing locals out of housing, time to stop using AirBnB. |
That's very simplistic. What about Booking, VRBO and other platforms? What about second homes and what about multinationals buying entire apartment blocks to rent out flats to business visitors and tourists?
It also depends on location so just boycotting Airbnb is pretty pointless. Not going on holiday to busy and overcrowded locations would be far more effective. | | | |
| AirBnB Question... on 11:16 - Jun 27 with 1821 views | WeWereZombies |
| AirBnB Question... on 11:02 - Jun 27 by BarcaBlue |
I have 3 properties on Booking and Airbnb. From a host standpoint Airbnb are much better to work with than Booking.
If I was spending hundreds (or thousands) on a stay I would only book a place run by a Superhost on Airbnb and with a review score of over 9 on Booking, and with a minimum of 20 reviews.
Most properties here are actually run by agencies who offer a package of dealing with bookings, cleaning and emails. I wouldn't use one as a host unless absolutely forced to. Generally their service is poor to average and they will be the ones you talk to rather than the homeowners.
I personally mail guests a week before arrival, give them all the house and regional info as well as my WhatsApp number for any questions. I meet them at the property and offer to be there when they leave. An agency would do the bare minimum.
In reality it matters little if you book via Airbnb or Booking as it all depends on the host or agency. If there are issues, it's probably easier to get a resolution on Airbnb than Booking.
As for the OPs problem, I would definitely contact Airbnb and explain the issue. They will contact the host and you're more likely to get things sorted via the company. |
That's interesting compared with my user experience finding booking.com preferable to AirBnB. I know booking.com can charge hosts 12.5% locally and I think that is excessive so if I return to a place I book direct with them (after checking availability on booking.com, cheeky or rational ?)
Your comment about having a 9 score or more is interesting, sometimes I don't believe the high scores because it is possible to get mates to post a load of 10s to inflate the score (I rarely, if ever, give top marks for reasons of plausibility and also because however good we are there is always something we can do better.) A counter argument to that is a recent experience on booking.com when I was travelling back north and booked a place I thought was on the verdant outskirts of Durham and poo-poohed the reviews that mentioned noisy neighbours. It was bed and breakfast for under fifty quid and nowhere else matched it. Turned out it was in Ferryhill, not Durham, and I as I did a right into the street where the room was I had to manoeuvre around three police cars and a grumpy looking crowd. The breakfast was cornflakes... | |
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| AirBnB Question... on 11:16 - Jun 27 with 1824 views | blueasfook |
| AirBnB Question... on 11:11 - Jun 27 by BarcaBlue |
That's very simplistic. What about Booking, VRBO and other platforms? What about second homes and what about multinationals buying entire apartment blocks to rent out flats to business visitors and tourists?
It also depends on location so just boycotting Airbnb is pretty pointless. Not going on holiday to busy and overcrowded locations would be far more effective. |
I do sympathise with the situation in Spain. Young people are finding it difficult to get housing in tourist areas. But then, these areas rely on the income from tourism. It's the government's job to get it under control. Maybe like in UK, they havent invested in social housing enough for the last few decades. | |
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| AirBnB Question... on 11:19 - Jun 27 with 1800 views | giant_stow |
| AirBnB Question... on 11:11 - Jun 27 by BarcaBlue |
That's very simplistic. What about Booking, VRBO and other platforms? What about second homes and what about multinationals buying entire apartment blocks to rent out flats to business visitors and tourists?
It also depends on location so just boycotting Airbnb is pretty pointless. Not going on holiday to busy and overcrowded locations would be far more effective. |
My Bro has a couple of holiday homes to rent in Norfolk and its true what you say: he's got them on a local agency's site, booking.com, verbo and AirbandB. No point just fingering Airbandb...
(Incidentally, he's new to booking.com and already has the hump: very good at getting business in, but only because it seems to always find new ways to discount the price without him knowing. And weirdly, the quality of guest seems noticeably lower from them: bods that whine at silly things, bods that let their dogs piss all over the gaff or even nick things / trash the place.)
Personally, I'd say holiday lets are fine as long as they contribute to the local economy and are therefore locally welcomed. |  |
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| AirBnB Question... on 11:26 - Jun 27 with 1723 views | BarcaBlue |
| AirBnB Question... on 11:16 - Jun 27 by WeWereZombies |
That's interesting compared with my user experience finding booking.com preferable to AirBnB. I know booking.com can charge hosts 12.5% locally and I think that is excessive so if I return to a place I book direct with them (after checking availability on booking.com, cheeky or rational ?)
Your comment about having a 9 score or more is interesting, sometimes I don't believe the high scores because it is possible to get mates to post a load of 10s to inflate the score (I rarely, if ever, give top marks for reasons of plausibility and also because however good we are there is always something we can do better.) A counter argument to that is a recent experience on booking.com when I was travelling back north and booked a place I thought was on the verdant outskirts of Durham and poo-poohed the reviews that mentioned noisy neighbours. It was bed and breakfast for under fifty quid and nowhere else matched it. Turned out it was in Ferryhill, not Durham, and I as I did a right into the street where the room was I had to manoeuvre around three police cars and a grumpy looking crowd. The breakfast was cornflakes... |
Booking.com charge between 17% and 23%, Airbnb a little less. An agency typically charges 20 to 25% for their services on top of that.
Reviews on Booking and Airbnb can only be left by people who have stayed so no reviews from mates or family. Ignore the outliers though as you can get some pretty daft comments - that's why I mentioned places with over 20 reviews as you should get a good idea and not rely on a couple of nutters. I get about one nutter a year. | | | |
| AirBnB Question... on 11:28 - Jun 27 with 1714 views | WeWereZombies |
| AirBnB Question... on 11:16 - Jun 27 by blueasfook |
I do sympathise with the situation in Spain. Young people are finding it difficult to get housing in tourist areas. But then, these areas rely on the income from tourism. It's the government's job to get it under control. Maybe like in UK, they havent invested in social housing enough for the last few decades. |
There is more to it than just the availability of housing though. Tourists can be their own worst enemies when it comes to not doing enough research before they travel and then ending up as one of a thousand on the beach that they saw the Facebook post about as the last unspoilt cove on Mallorca (as featured on the recent film 'Overbooking' https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9705970/ where even the taxi drivers try and turn down lucrative fares in efforts to persuade people, but no 'it was on the computer so we know best'...) Tourism does provide jobs but they are usually low income jobs with no opportunities for career development or advancement, and subsequently young people leave the area as the work is terrible and the housing overpriced. Which means that migrants who are prepared to live on less and in overcrowded accommodation are brought in and that causes more friction. | |
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