Can someone clarify what this means - from AirBnB host.

NI_BOBS

Hi everyone.
We have an Airbnb booked for mid July and messaged the owner about cancelling.   
He replied "Our cancellation policy is without any penalties so if you want to wait and see what happens that is fine with us."
Does this mean we would get our deposit back ?   Have paid about £350 deposit with remainder due end of June . 
His cancellation Policy on his apartment listing says - Free cancellation for 48 hours, After that, cancel up to 5 days before check-in and get a full refund, minus the service fee
But then on the page where it shows my booking etc it says - 48 hrs after booking - After that, cancel before 3:00 PM on 7 Jul and get a 50% refund, minus the service fee. (which basically is nothing as we paid that as deposit. )
Totally confusing myself. 
Thanks 

[Deleted User]

email back and ask them 

sheramber

 He may have changed the  refund policy due to covid 19 situation. Only he can tell you

NI_BOBS

_shel said:

email back and ask them 

I did and he said - we dont hold any deposit, i am not sure how it works with Airbnb but i'm pretty sure you can cancel and get a full refund. It would be best to message Airbnb. 
So I then messaged Airbnb via Facebook and they just gave back this - Hi there, thank you for reaching out to us. Our Extenuating Circumstances policy for COVID-19 currently applies to reservations booked on or before March 14, 2020 for check-ins through June 30, 2020, and we’ve been receiving questions from the community regarding reservations from July 1 and beyond. We are continuing to monitor the situation and review official guidance from governments and public health organizations, and we plan to continue these updates periodically going forward. Thank you.
So doesnt clarify at all what would happen if I cancel now.   

sheramber

As you are cancelling through choice then it will be your hosts cancellation policy that applies

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/help/article/169/how-do-i-cancel-my-reservation-for-a-place-to-stay

How it works

If you cancel, your refund is determined by your host’s cancellation policy. We'll show your refund breakdown before you confirm your cancellation. Airbnb refunds all service fees in the form of a coupon.

If the cancellation policy doesn't provide a full refund at the time you cancel, you’ll be given an option to ask the host for a full refund before you finalise the cancellation. 

If AirB&B cancel due to covid 19 restrictions they will refund you.

At present they are  only cancelling up to the end of June.  

If  flights are available and the accommodation is available then  again it will depend on the hosts cancellation policy.

 

Kit1

We didn't get our money back when we tried to cancel.  We were going to Australia and as there were no flights going in or out we contacted the person and he said "No Way! You can cancel if you want but l'm not cancelling!".  I am not sure how he thought we were going to get there but there you go.  I hope you do get your money back.

TELLIT01

NI_BOBS said:

_shel said:

email back and ask them 

So I then messaged Airbnb via Facebook and they just gave back this - Hi there, thank you for reaching out to us. Our Extenuating Circumstances policy for COVID-19 currently applies to reservations booked on or before March 14, 2020 for check-ins through June 30, 2020, and we’ve been receiving questions from the community regarding reservations from July 1 and beyond. We are continuing to monitor the situation and review official guidance from governments and public health organizations, and we plan to continue these updates periodically going forward. Thank you.
So doesnt clarify at all what would happen if I cancel now.   

Whoever put that together must have a job as Matt Hancock's speech writer on the side.  5 1/2 lines of waffle to leave recipients more confused than before the question was answered.

NI_BOBS

Update for anyone travelling in July.  We cannot get our money back but can get a credit note to use by Dec 2021.  Happy enough with this as am sure will be looking to get away somewhere next year. 

Archergirl

Kit1 said:

We didn't get our money back when we tried to cancel.  We were going to Australia and as there were no flights going in or out we contacted the person and he said "No Way! You can cancel if you want but l'm not cancelling!".  I am not sure how he thought we were going to get there but there you go.  I hope you do get your money back.

Did you try your travel ins?

NI_BOBS

Archergirl said:

Kit1 said:

We didn't get our money back when we tried to cancel.  We were going to Australia and as there were no flights going in or out we contacted the person and he said "No Way! You can cancel if you want but l'm not cancelling!".  I am not sure how he thought we were going to get there but there you go.  I hope you do get your money back.

Did you try your travel ins?

Not yet, didnt think they would cover for this, 
It seems if flights dont operate we can get our money back for Airbnb but if they go ahead credit note.  Problem is balance due 29th June and doubt we will know if flights on 14th July are cancelled to near the time.  Thinking just take credit note , better than loosing ££

Jumblebumble

NI_BOBS said:

_shel said:

email back and ask them 

I did and he said - we dont hold any deposit, i am not sure how it works with Airbnb but i'm pretty sure you can cancel and get a full refund. It would be best to message Airbnb. 
So I then messaged Airbnb via Facebook and they just gave back this - Hi there, thank you for reaching out to us. Our Extenuating Circumstances policy for COVID-19 currently applies to reservations booked on or before March 14, 2020 for check-ins through June 30, 2020, and we’ve been receiving questions from the community regarding reservations from July 1 and beyond. We are continuing to monitor the situation and review official guidance from governments and public health organizations, and we plan to continue these updates periodically going forward. Thank you.
So doesnt clarify at all what would happen if I cancel now.   

Why would anyone cancel now instead of 6 days before they go?
AirBnB might extend their Covid policy in the mean time and you would not lose the service fee and you would get cash back