Airbnb is dedicating $250 million to put toward hosts who have actually been affected by COVID-19 That implies if a guest cancels a reservation for check-in between March 14 and May 31 due to a COVID-19- associated factor, Airbnb will pay the host 25%of what they would generally receive through their cancellation policy. Airbnb states this policy will use retroactively to all cancellations throughout that period.
This is Airbnb’s way of apologizing to its hosts– who might have felt blindsided by Airbnb’s policy that would enable guests to cancel reservations and get a full refund. That policy, which is still active, lets guests who booked bookings on or before March 14 that begin anytime on or before May 31 to cancel and get a standard refund or travel credit.
” We figured out that we needed to permit your visitors to cancel and receive a full refund– including all our costs,” Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky composed in a letter to hosts today. “Please know this decision was not a business choice, but based on securing public health. Nevertheless, while I think we did the best thing in focusing on health and safety, I’m sorry that we interacted this decision to visitors without consulting you– like partners should. We have spoken with you and we understand we could have been much better partners.”
Beyond that, Airbnb is developing a $10 million fund for its superhosts and experience hosts. And for guests who want to reveal hosts their support throughout this time, they will soon be able to make payments straight to hosts.
Chesky is doing a video Q&A with hosts right now, which you can tune into here
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