When Airbnb goes wrong: Cancellations and covert listings (Marketplace)

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Published 2019-03-23

We investigate some of the most common complaints about the world's largest home sharing platform. From last minute cancellations, to concerns over community, and the lengths one condo board is going to keep short-term renters from moving in next door. We also go undercover to check out “covert” Airbnbs. What happens when you book a stay only to be asked to lie and sneak around in a building where Airbnb is not welcome? Plus, we start asking Airbnb about one Albertan who was out $6,000 after a last minute cancellation, and he gets a full refund.

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All Comments (21)

@sal5440 5 years ago

How about making hosts who cancel last second pay the guests reaccommodation fees, I bet you they would stop the BS.
@yyyok8974 5 years ago

To avoid this problem, Airbnb need to show the hosts' cancellation-rate on their own homepage, and warn the customers who are considering to book reservation from the host with a highly cancellation-rate.
@mamakitty6549 5 years ago

Hosts should get fined for cancelations. Make if hurt if you cancel. People will be less likely to scam you if it could cost more money to do it that way.
@sventer198 5 years ago

I rented a “pet friendly” Airbnb and was texted as I arrived to tell me to sneak my pet in through the basement as pets were not allowed 😂
@NoOneHere2Day 5 years ago

If a host cancels last minute or double books, they should be banned from the site.
@tribequest9 5 years ago

If AirBNB says these incidents are rare then they should have no problem as a 30 billion dollar company to accommodate the consumer 100% of their loss and inconvenience.
@ceh4702 5 years ago

They should use a 7 day cancellation rule. If they cancel within 7 days then the host pays for the stay at an alternate location with similar amenities. Air B & B should write that into their contracts.
@TheNraveles 3 years ago

“Negative instances are rare” *has entire website dedicated to horror stories from the service *
@infinitecuriosity9210 5 years ago

The only reason David got any money back was because of the show showcasing this, I'm sure airbnb s nightmare
@meehow72 5 years ago

My host cancelled the night I arrived. I was at the airport at 11pm with no place to stay. Air B&B basically did nothing to resolve. This was for a one-month stay for a work contract. I had to return home 2 days later. Air B&B is pure evil as far as I am concerned.
@RubyKeyvani 4 years ago

This is why I continue to stay at hotels when I travel. Much less headache and I feel safer.
@francesfinney8188 4 years ago

I would rather stay in a nice hotel. No headache.
@mitchellmaytorena1137 5 years ago

1300 for 5 week vacation? Sounds too good to be true.
@epifanny 5 years ago

I got a cancellation notification after landing in Singapore from a 10 hour flight...airbnb did nothing for me.
@DoughnutCream699 4 years ago

Once stayed in one of those attached basement apartments in Seattle. The place was lovely but we had to have “quiet hours” past 10 pm and in the mornings we could hear the owners walking around and their dog barking. It wasn’t too bad but the feeling of having the owners right above us and feeling like they were watching and hearing everything was too much for me. Never liked the idea of staying in some complete strangers house and never will. I’ll gladly pay more for a hotel room tyvm.
@DeathSpellXVI 4 years ago

Y'all need to chill with that background music, sounds like someone's being chased or something...
@williamhaynes7089 5 years ago

I always use hotels, I cant take this drama
@inkstainedgirl 5 years ago

What Air BnB needs to do is de-list people who cancel more than once a year. The host gets one emergency cancel a year, if they do it again they are assumed to be scamming by listing it on multiple sites and are no longer allowed to do business with air bnb.
@Paineinyourblank 4 years ago

I would feel creeped out staying in a strangers home. Id rather take a hotel room
@45876 5 years ago

People there are really sick people out there. Renting to a stranger in short terms might in danger you and your neighbors. Also the doorman or the concierge in the apartment buildings are not prepared to deal with Random customers. I remember once I startled my mom in a hotel room and she screamed. Two Minutes later, two security guards and one customer service showed up in my front door and asked to check my room. I felt safe in a hotel more than ever.