Airbnb changes cancellation policy due to coronavirus outbreak

Millions of travelers are still booking business trips, getaways and other places to stay, but with new cases being confirmed each day, countries start enforcing quarantine and setting new rules for arriving foreginers. This situation might be confusing and makes people uncertain about safety of their travel. That’s why Airbnb decided to adjust their cancellation policy and simplify the rules for those who might need it.

Free of charge cancellation is possible for guests traveling to or from regions that have been severely affected by virus.

Free of charge cancellation policy includes:

– Guests who are travelling to or from severely affected areas (for a list of areas affected and covered by this policy, check below)
– Hosts who are hosting in or welcoming guests from severely affected areas (for a list of areas affected and covered by this policy, check below)
– Anyone who can’t complete their trip due to official travel restrictions, medical or disease control duties, flight or ground transport cancellation initiated by the provider due to COVID-19, or suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19

The rules apply to following regions:

For guests with reservations in mainland China
– If you’re travelling within mainland China, the extenuating circumstances policy applies to any reservations booked on or before 28 January 2020, with check-in date of 1 April 2020 or earlier.
– If you’re travelling to mainland China from anywhere outside of mainland China, the extenuating circumstances policy applies to reservations booked on or before 1 February 2020, with check-in date of 1 April 2020 or earlier.

For guests with reservations in Italy
– If you’re travelling to or within Italy, the extenuating circumstances policy applies to reservations booked on or before 29 February 2020, with check-in date of 3 April 2020 or earlier

For guests with reservations in South Korea
– If you’re travelling to or within South Korea, the extenuating circumstances policy applies to reservations booked on or before 25 February 2020, with check-in date of 23 March 2020 or earlier.

For severe and unforeseen conditions, you may be eligible for an “extenuating circumstances” cancellation, which provides guests a 100% refund. You’ll find more information about criteria for this type of cancellation here.

Global scenarios for hosts or guests who must change or cancel travel, requiring documentation:

– In order to comply with disease control restrictions implemented by relevant governmental or health authorities
– In order to perform medical or disease control duties in connection with the COVID-19 outbreak;
– As a result of flight or ground transportation cancellations initiated by an airline or ground transportation provider due to the COVID-19 outbreak;
– In the event that they are diagnosed or suspected of being infected with COVID-19 by a medical or health authority.

For all other bookings made now through June 1, 2020, if guests need to cancel and are not due a refund of the Airbnb guest service fee, the service will refund that fee as a travel coupon which can be used on a future trip.

If you’re traveling from a region with many virus cases, you should be automatically notified that your reservation meets the criteria for canceling your booking . If you believe that your reservation is in compliance with these conditions but you have not been notified, simply contact Airbnb.

What happens if your reservation is canceled?

– The guest will receive a full refund (including any fees)
– The hosts will not pay any cancellation fees
– Airbnb will refund all fees
– Hosts can accept new reservations on these dates
– The cancellation will in no way affect the status of the super host