Airbnb updates cancellation policy...

Guests affected by Covid-19 mandates will be provided with vouchers for only part of lost payments

Airbnb has announced that it’s dedicating $20 million to provide coupons for guests who have had to cancel their bookings due to Covid-related government mandates, from border closures to mandatory extended quarantine requirements.

If the host’s cancellation policy doesn’t provide a full refund, Airbnb will give the guest a travel coupon worth 50% of the un-refunded portion of the reservation.

Airbnb says nearly two-thirds of its active listings now give a full refund on bookings cancelled up until five days before check-in or 24 hours before check-in

The newly introduced coupon programme applies retroactively to reservations that have a check-in date on or after 1 December 2021 and will end when all of the funds have been allocated or on 30 April – whichever comes first.

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Coupon recipients must use the credit for a stay with arrival on or before 30 December 2023. Bookings made for Airbnb Luxe, Airbnb for Work, Airbnb Experiences and bookings by guests whose country of residence is mainland China will not be eligible for refunds from the coupon programme as they are covered by different terms and conditions, which are made clear to the guest before the booking is confirmed.

Along with this new offering, Airbnb says it is developing a guest travel insurance product that will launch this spring.

For more information, visit www.airbnb.ae