Airbnb extends its no-charge cancellation policy

With the COVID-19 pandemic, Airbnb saw it fit to implement updates to its Extenuating Circumstances policy. This change means hosts and guests who cancel eligible reservations made on or before March 14, 2020, with check-in dates between March 14 and April 14, 2020, will not be charged or penalized. It applies to both places to stay as well as Airbnb Experiences around the world. The company assures its hosts that they will help those who are affected economically by the circumstances.

Airbnb said in a statement, “We will be working in the days and weeks ahead to identify tools and initiatives to support our hosts during these very challenging times.” The company promised it will not collect fees or benefit from any cancelled reservations. 

Airbnb even took note of hosts who have already refunded their guests prior to the announcement of this new policy. “We examined Airbnb reservations that were canceled in the last month and found that 86 percent of the money that would have been spent by guests on these reservations was returned to them in the form of refunds,” the statement read.

The company continues to assess the situation, and it will provide updates when it can.