Post by High Priestess on May 29, 2016 21:19:16 GMT
Sunanda shared on NHF Dec 2014
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-98147
Which cancelation policy?
Until now, we've been asking for the"moderate" cancelation policy as I want to be flexible for my guests.
Usually it's been ok. We've had maybe 3 cancelations within a year.
Today, however, we got one from a guest who booked for over the Xmas period and it really pissed me off as that is a peak time here.
So, I've changed our policy to "strict". I am worried tho that this may put some people of booking.
What are people's thoughts about this?
12 comments
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Rick
Ricka year ago
I started off with flexible....then went to strict after some last minute cancellations left me with an empty room & no way to fill it! I think strict gives a lot more control & based on the circumstances, you can still refund all or a part of someone's money if they cancel....but it had better be a very good story to get a full refund from me at the last minute!
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Sunanda
Sunandaa year ago
Thank you!
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Andrea
Andreaa year ago
I agree with Rick. Strict works well for me.
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Renee
Reneea year ago
I used moderate during the busier half of the year. Then, I changed to strict for the slower half when I know the room(s) can't be filled.
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Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
We've always had strict and have no troubles booking and no cancellations yet. We've never even had anyone inquire about leniency regarding the cancellation policy. Honestly because our city had so many "peak" periods I wish there was an even stricter policy! I dread the unavoidable holiday-type cancellation.
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Evelyn
Evelyna year ago
I do strict. Yes, I have had cancellation and I refund, when they provide big reason to cancel. Family emergency, etc.
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Deborah
Deboraha year ago
I do strict, and I have had no one complain about that. I will give guests a 100% refund if I am able to rebook the room, when they cancel. I was able to do that a couple of times for guests who had to totally cancel the whole reservation.
My view is that strict is the only policy which is reasonable for the host who is dependent upon the income they are getting from Airbnb renting. The other policies are essentially invitations for guests to book even when they are not sure they will actually travel, just to hold the space -- at little or no risk. The result is that they can take what they don't intend to really use. As others have pointed out on numerous threads, guests can often obtain travel insurance to reimburse them for lost expenses if they have to cancel a trip. There is no equivalent "host insurance" for guests who cancel.
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Andrew
Andrewa year ago
I take a bit of a different approach. I've never incurred a significant loss as a result of the Moderate cancellation policy; the fully refunded cancellations have happened early enough to re-book the space, and the 50% withheld on the later cancellations has been sufficient compensation. Most of my guests are young, short-term budget travelers arriving from neighboring countries - not a demographic that tends to buy travel insurance. And thus far the Moderate policy has worked out as a reasonable enough compromise that it has spared any conflicts over money.
Where we do take a hit, though, is on the Extenuating Circumstances cancellations. Those can happen at the last minute and override even the strictest policy, and in those cases hosts get zero compensation. I do wonder if guests who lose more in a cancellation are likelier to persuade CX that they're eligible for this exemption than those who only forfeit 50%.
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Andrea
Andreaa year ago
Interesting question, Andrew. I wish there was a way for us to find out.
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Chuck
Chucka year ago
It would be nice if airbnb would offer travel insurance to guests.
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Gabor
Gabora year ago
does strict, moderate or flexibel makes a difference in your placing in the search results? I would consider this.
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Rick
Ricka year ago
I'm pretty sure it has no effect on placement It may cause prospective guests to pause, however. , although I've not had any problems
Reply Like Delete
Deborah
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-98147
Which cancelation policy?
Until now, we've been asking for the"moderate" cancelation policy as I want to be flexible for my guests.
Usually it's been ok. We've had maybe 3 cancelations within a year.
Today, however, we got one from a guest who booked for over the Xmas period and it really pissed me off as that is a peak time here.
So, I've changed our policy to "strict". I am worried tho that this may put some people of booking.
What are people's thoughts about this?
12 comments
Following
Like
Delete
Hide
Rick
Ricka year ago
I started off with flexible....then went to strict after some last minute cancellations left me with an empty room & no way to fill it! I think strict gives a lot more control & based on the circumstances, you can still refund all or a part of someone's money if they cancel....but it had better be a very good story to get a full refund from me at the last minute!
Reply Like 4 likes Delete
Sunanda
Sunandaa year ago
Thank you!
Reply Like Delete
Andrea
Andreaa year ago
I agree with Rick. Strict works well for me.
Reply Like Delete
Renee
Reneea year ago
I used moderate during the busier half of the year. Then, I changed to strict for the slower half when I know the room(s) can't be filled.
Reply Like Delete
Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
We've always had strict and have no troubles booking and no cancellations yet. We've never even had anyone inquire about leniency regarding the cancellation policy. Honestly because our city had so many "peak" periods I wish there was an even stricter policy! I dread the unavoidable holiday-type cancellation.
Reply Like Delete
Evelyn
Evelyna year ago
I do strict. Yes, I have had cancellation and I refund, when they provide big reason to cancel. Family emergency, etc.
Reply Like Delete
Deborah
Deboraha year ago
I do strict, and I have had no one complain about that. I will give guests a 100% refund if I am able to rebook the room, when they cancel. I was able to do that a couple of times for guests who had to totally cancel the whole reservation.
My view is that strict is the only policy which is reasonable for the host who is dependent upon the income they are getting from Airbnb renting. The other policies are essentially invitations for guests to book even when they are not sure they will actually travel, just to hold the space -- at little or no risk. The result is that they can take what they don't intend to really use. As others have pointed out on numerous threads, guests can often obtain travel insurance to reimburse them for lost expenses if they have to cancel a trip. There is no equivalent "host insurance" for guests who cancel.
Reply Like 4 likes Delete
Andrew
Andrewa year ago
I take a bit of a different approach. I've never incurred a significant loss as a result of the Moderate cancellation policy; the fully refunded cancellations have happened early enough to re-book the space, and the 50% withheld on the later cancellations has been sufficient compensation. Most of my guests are young, short-term budget travelers arriving from neighboring countries - not a demographic that tends to buy travel insurance. And thus far the Moderate policy has worked out as a reasonable enough compromise that it has spared any conflicts over money.
Where we do take a hit, though, is on the Extenuating Circumstances cancellations. Those can happen at the last minute and override even the strictest policy, and in those cases hosts get zero compensation. I do wonder if guests who lose more in a cancellation are likelier to persuade CX that they're eligible for this exemption than those who only forfeit 50%.
Reply Like Delete
Andrea
Andreaa year ago
Interesting question, Andrew. I wish there was a way for us to find out.
Reply Like Delete
Chuck
Chucka year ago
It would be nice if airbnb would offer travel insurance to guests.
Reply Like Delete
Gabor
Gabora year ago
does strict, moderate or flexibel makes a difference in your placing in the search results? I would consider this.
Reply Like Delete
Rick
Ricka year ago
I'm pretty sure it has no effect on placement It may cause prospective guests to pause, however. , although I've not had any problems
Reply Like Delete
Deborah