Chargeback for Airbnb - Has Anyone Tried This before?

applekorez on 09/07/2021 - 12:32
Last edited 09/07/2021 - 16:50

Hi Everyone,

Not so smart traveller here :(

I'm a Sydneysider who had plans to travel to the Snowy Mountains at the end of the Month. Unfortunately I have fallen into the trap where the refund policy will only give me 50% back up until 7 days prior to the booking.

With the change to extenuating circumstances policy (which I find quite ridiculous considering how often COVID 19 related restrictions are changed) we might be out of luck getting a refund straight from AirBNB if the host is not willing to be kind enough to give a full refund.

So now I am thinking of options to get a refund back and came across this post, where some users have suggested chargeback:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/605330

I paid via Paypal so I can probably open up a dispute but I was wondering if anyone has had any luck doing anything similar and if there were any issues with AirBNB afterwards.

Thanks in advance!

Update: Contacted AirBNB support, they got in contact with the host and we managed to get a full refund. Glad to see the host is accomodating in these times.

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Comments

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 09/07/2021 - 12:35
    +4

    Your account with Airbnb will probably get closed down. Your charge back may be reversed if Airbnb can show PayPal that you agreed to those conditions. But …YMMV.

  • kerfuffle on 09/07/2021 - 12:41
    +4

    Maybe try asking the host first?

    • applekorez on 09/07/2021 - 13:47

      The host seems to be believe we are able to get a full refund if its 14 days prior to the booking (which it is) so lets see what happens. Currently in chats with AirBNB support

  • brendanm on 09/07/2021 - 12:56
    +8

    Why would you be eligible for a chargeback? You are getting exactly what you agreed to, a 50% refund. You agreed to it at the time, now it doesn't suit you, you don't agree to it?

    • Baysew on 09/07/2021 - 13:35
      +1

      Especially "considering how often COVID 19 related restrictions are changed".

  • 87percent on 09/07/2021 - 13:05
    +2

    ask if you can reschedule it

    • applekorez on 09/07/2021 - 13:51
      -2

      good option too. did not consider that. Looks like most of the host's bookings have rescheduled to same time next year.

  • popsiee on 09/07/2021 - 13:12

    If you pay by PayPal you can do as you please to screw merchants .
    100% you get a full refund if dispute opened .

  • tsunamisurfer on 09/07/2021 - 13:19
    +2

    With the change to extenuating circumstances policy (which I find quite ridiculous

    Can we please confirm these 'ridiculous' policies are the very ones you agreed to when you clicked 'I agree, proceed'?

    • applekorez on 09/07/2021 - 13:56

      Yeah that ones on me.

      Did not see the change to the extenuating circumstances policy until the period after 48 hours that the booking is made (where the refund window is lost).
      Made the dumb mistake of thinking the policy had not changed. I didnt have any issues cancelling due to the Northern Beaches Cluster so thought this time would be fine…whoops.

      Its not made very clear unless you are specifically clicking for the policy if you just click through things on the site.

  • wolvesaussie on 09/07/2021 - 14:53

    Got caught up myself in the recent qld lockdown. It was only 3 days before and the policy said there was no refunds. I asked the host and in the end they agreed to refund 50% which I suppose was fair enough. I do think though most business have moved to a flexible cancelation policy and Air Bnb should match that. I think the lockdown may actually make it illegal for you to have guests stay at your house.

  • Randxyz123 on 09/07/2021 - 15:56

    I would cancel so you get your 50% back and then speak to the host. If they believe you can get it all back and they are happy for a 14 day full refund, then they need to change their settings on their end with Air BnB. I would contact them asking them to contact Air BnB to refund you the rest of your trip or just reschedule for a later date.

  • applekorez on 09/07/2021 - 16:50

    Update: Contacted AirBNB support, they got in contact with the host and we managed to get a full refund. Glad to see the host is accomodating in these times.

    • brendanm on 09/07/2021 - 18:17

      Glad to see the host is accomodating in these times.

      Yeah it's good, those rich pricks can absorb the cost, just like all the landlord's when they had the rent moratorium.

  • poboy on 09/07/2021 - 18:14
    +1

    In general, Air bnb now has a terrrible cancellation policy. I no longer use them. Too risky when there are other aggregator sites that are more generous.

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