Want to know your Airbnb relief amount?

Question

It occured to me yesterday that I had not heard from Airbnb since they announced their "relief" program for Hosts, so I took to social media to search for information. I came across an article where hosts had complained about their relief being very small and that this was a publicity stunt by Airbnb. They did not understand Airbnb's stance that it would be 25% of eligible host cancellation policy (which has clarified for me that it is indeed a publicity stunt). In the past I've had quick responses sending @airbnbhelp a twitter message, and this was not different. Within a few hours I received the following response...

"Hi Michael, we’ll invite eligible hosts to apply and start sending out relief grants to approved hosts in late April 2020. We aim to have all invitations sent out by May 15, 2020."

Shortly thereafter, I then received an email with the amount they are providing. I guess timing was everything, however if you haven't heard tweet away. My sincere hope is that you all had a strict no-cancellation policy for reservations.

Michael Greenberg · Answer

Chris, I am 100% in your camp on this, "thanks for nothing".  Airbnb continues to play this game of "lets not upset anyone", though leaving the Hosts holding the bag everytime we turn around.  I too had a strict cancellation policy and ignored their constant barrage of emails encouraging me to change it, promising more reservations and visibility.  The money I have lost could have paid for a significant social media campaign to drive guests to book direct, then I could have managed the cancellations myself.  Another lesson learned.

Avery Carl · Answer

We received an automatic payment yesterday. I'll try not to spend this $1500 all in one place lol.

Michael Greenberg · Answer

I'm not sure they even know themselves John!  Trust them as far as you can throw them.

Chris Gottshall · Answer

Yeah, they basically said "we'll pay you" but neglected to say "... only if you had a strict cancellation policy." Non-ironically, they are ALWAYS trying to prompt me to abandon using a strict policy in favor of more flexible terms to "attract more guests." Well, I feel pretty good about rebuffing those attempts and this has further cemented why we'll be sticking with a strict policy going forward.

I reached out to them via their support chat on Monday of this week to ask where my March cancellations payment was because they said they would send them monthly and today is already the end of April. I just got my email last night confirming the amount they calculated. Yes, it is peanuts, even though I have a strict cancellation policy. Less than $400 for the 5 reservations they canceled on me. Thanks, I guess? I would have rather they let me handle the cancelation myself instead of ripping the rug out from under us for half of March and April. Oh well... Airbnb has always been more than 90% of my bookings, so I'm just gonna roll with it and hope I can make up for it later this year.

Dan L. · Answer

We received a ~$750 payout on April 17th for 3 reservations that were covered by the policy. I emailed support last week about 6 additional reservations that should have been covered and they replied that those reservations should receive the 25% payout, but it's still unclear when that payment will be made.

Worth double-checking all of your reservations Mar-May and see if they may have missed some!

Miles McClure · Answer

It is what it is. It appeared to many that this would be a much bigger payout. Strict or not the time frame was small and it was 25% of 50%... Not expecting anything  so it's all good but it was a marketing ploy to encourage hosts...

Gayle Eisner · Answer

Why does Aire b n b give you anything? You should be so lucky to get anything... Us other landlords get nothing & we even have people legally able to just not pay???

Leora Merrell · Answer

We got our deposit yesterday too. Should have more coming at some point since the refund was for cancellations through April 8 but who even knows.

Nancy Bachety · Answer

Our deposit hit yesterday too. We had strict cancellation policies, but I still don’t understand how that is even relevant. Airbnb cancelled regardless. Airbnb had the audacity to take half of their refund amount, of $1070 they took $585 for “resolution adjustments”. Ironically, they also gave me $168 as a promotional offer for a new host referral.

We also received a $1000 grant from the US Treasury yesterday and a new reservation at our Smokey Mtn. cabin for next week.

John Underwood · Answer

I thought they original said they would send this payment automatically. So now you have to apply?

I really don't care about their publicity stunt and change.

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