AirbnbReviews 2,101

My husband, 15-year-old granddaughter and myself had planned a trip to Europe in May/June.
On March >>>> the US State Department declared a Traveler Warning for Europe, specifying that terrorists were targeting US citizens overseas, further stating that mass transit and tourist sites were likely to be the areas attacked. For the State Dept. to issue such an alert (with specifics) the state dept. must certainly have gathered enough information to deem travel dangerous for US citizens.
Therefore, we felt we must cancel, especially since we were traveling with our granddaughter. We had made reservations in 5 Airbnb places. We were required to pay in full, and four of the five owners would only give a 50% refund no matter the circumstances. Airbnb service charges ranged from $32-78 per reservation, which added up to a total for the 5 reservations at $272, all nonrefundable. The total we lost from the owners added up to $1,116, for a grand total of $1,388.
We cancelled on 3/25/16 and our arrivals dates were 5/31,6/3,6/7,6/10, and 6/13, leaving the owners 10.5 to 13 weeks to rebook.
Despite what they advertise, there was no way to communicate with any one at Airbnb, as I tried for an entire afternoon.
We will certainly never use Airbnb again, and feel other potential customers should be aware of their policies. A big thanks to Booking.com for their policies, customer service and being available to communicate with customers!

When my friend and I arrived to a house we rented on Airbnb the back door had holes on the bottom and one of the living room windows was broken and replaced with a piece of Plexiglas that was kept in place with just a clip, there was a gap not securely sealed. On top of this a travel trailer backed up to the house with garbage and beers cans. There was a dump out back window and there was more. Now Airbnb did refund my money after I sent the pictures of the condition of the property however they allowed this host to repost her listing. We traveled 2700 miles only to have to scramble to try to find someplace to stay after seeing the condition of the "cozy 2 bedroom home" "feels like home". I sent an e-mail to Airbnb about my disappointment they allowed the host back on their site and there was no way for me to review this host because I cancelled the reservation. The host was Maria and is in the Fortuna Foothills (Yuma) Arizona.

We had spent a lot of time finding a place to stay in Chicago. The reality that we only have a few more spring break vacations before our kids are off to college. The day before we were to travel to Chicago, we received an email at 10 a.m. from the owner that our airbnb reservation had been cancelled due to "circumstances beyond his control." Apparently, the guests that stayed in condo before us burgled the other condos in the unit. Nice. Needless to say, there was nothing even close to what we had booked still available the day before we were to arrive. I realize this is a first-world problem, but these trips mean a lot to us as a family. I also realize that sometimes things do come up that truly are beyond people's control. However, I also expect people to make some sort of effort to make things right when these things do happen. The owner's response? "You can go to the airbnb site to find another listing. Sorry." We tried to email him and did not hear back until 7 that night. Airbnb contacted us a 9:30 that night saying they will get us our money back within 5 business days, but they would give us a coupon for $100 off our next airbnb stay. All I can say is you have many options as a consumer to find places to stay on vacation or other trips. I would strongly suggest you consider any option other than airbnb.

You really have watch yourself here! First non refundable cancellation, that alone should send bad vibes through your bones. Second, these owners are scam artist, these guys are in the electric and water business too. Don't expect to just pay the electric bill, they will charge you more, up to 3 times what the electric company charges. Water, maybe trash in some countries, expect to pay top dollar. So what seems like a good deal can cost more in the end than just paying for a motel. Plus you don't have some idiot trying to intimidate you and wreck your vacation, oh yea not good!

The airbnb strict cancellation policy makes no sense when booking many months to a year in advance, which one sometimes has to do. For example, to ensure lodging in Iceland, it is necessary to book a year in advance. A strict cancellation policy that requires the forfeiture of 50 percent of the amount paid if cancelled 6-12 months prior to arrival makes no sense. The strict cancellation policy should be re-defined to state that cancellations made prior to 6 months in advance will receive 100 percent refund--not 50 percent.
Also - it is impossible to get a question answered by the management/administration team. No phone numbers and no email addresses. Just an endless loop of Q&A - very frustrating.

Extremely frustrated and disappointed in #AirBnb. Due to a name mix-up and a mistake with the background check, they cancelled my reservation, deleted my account and have yet to refund my $400 that I already paid. There are a lot of Lori Stevens' in the world, and this one does not have a criminal record. All they need to do is cross reference SS# etc. I have opened a dispute with their background check company which will take 30 days to process and I have spent all morning on the phone. I know a lot of you like the company but I am not impressed.

Their app can't give fresh emails or booking request and even if I read an email the red thing is still up. I have to log into the site with a computer and mark read so the red numbers goes off.

As for the bnb itself Do NOT host for them unless if you have your landlord written agreement or you have HOA approval, lack of it you can get fine big time if you own and evict if you rent and once you get eviction in your credit you won't be able to get a place anywhere as it live in your credit for 10 years and bnb can't be anymore careless because they use hosts.

Also they have a total bias toward guests and have a department call trust and safety that never answer calls, they refuse to call, impose only to write and they write copy cat emails, almost like a robot. They never answer specific questions. The worse is, they don't have any departments above them, no manager nothing. I have hosted 40 of their guests and have 5 stars reviews all around and was called a superhost, all it took one lie form one guest who had no review and was a first time user, and they give full refund to the guest without my approval or even courtesy of email, even I have text from her who thanks me and she was happy and I'm the best, but one of those who go to store buy things use and then return to fetch refund and Airbnb never argue and always refund because they make the host pay and they just deduct it from my next booking. You can call and complain the neighbor make noise, the place didn't had tub and only shower or any lame excuse and they refund. All you need as a host to fall in one dishonest guest, bnb is with them at %100

If guest break or steal anything, as a host you are on your own. Basically they alway side with guest and abuse hosts. I stop hosting for them because I don't like their bias and lack of appreciation. But it's good to be guest because you can just go like that guest did to me sleep three nights for free and call and make up any lies and they refund you. So to hell with free rides and bnb. I switch back to get a Roommate and I can make more money with less work and hustle.

FOR HOMEOWNERS: AirBnB holds money for a long period of time. I have a guest staying at the property for 5 days already and I have not received AirBnB payment yet. They are claiming it will take up to 5 business days. So, don't count on the payment right away even if you are hard pressed to make a loan payment, HOA fee, etc.
Second, if guests cancel even after they check in and use your property spending there a few days with their dog, they may cancel any time if they find an excuse and you will lose all your money for the exception of the few days they stayed at the property.

I accepted 3 month reservation. My guest canceled because he found a cheaper place. He claim the property was not clean. I scrubbed it for 8 hours myself to be sure it is spottles. AirBnB cancelled my reservation and I lost 2 month and 25 days of rent. I turned down all my other prospective clients in order to accommodate this guest. Accept AirBnB reservation ONLY if you have no other choices and this is your last resort. Also, you don't get deposit if property is damaged. Don't count to recover any of the deposit. I had a group of people smoking pot at the property. It was devastating. My cleaning lady texted me that it was so bad, she could not clean there without all doors and windows open. We had to cancel next guests reservation because they were a family with small children. AirBnB gave us $20 for air freshener after a lengthy dispute.
Third, AirBnB charges hosts a processing fee of 3 to 4 % or higher depending on the transaction. They also charges guests a "service" fee.

FOR GUESTS: AirBnB charges outrageous guests fee. If you cancel you will not get your service fee back. Customer service is horrible. They used to be better when they were starting up. Now they are bigger than Choice Hotel Chain. I wonder if they go public as a company..

Than the guest.
Recently, I was looking for a place specifically in Scottsdale. I ended up 25 miles away on the other side of PHX. OK. I could have looked closer at the map, however I would still consider this a "bait and switch" tactic.
There's no direct way to speak to the owners prior to renting. It feels creepy and espionage like. Only through texts in which the phone number changes each text. It's hard to get a feel of a place or the owner without speaking at times.
Airbnb asked for your social security number in order to become a member. This is way out of line in this day and age. They aren't a bank or any other financial institution.

The apartment was advertised for $65/night. I ended up shelling out $93/night. More bait and switch.
It was hardly worth the $65.

In my future I'm boycotting the site.

http://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/

Showed up during XMAS holiday to spend a few nights on this beautiful sail boat only to find the pictures were10 years old. Boat was dirty full of owners clothes and food after complaining they kept $400 dollars and threaten me with legal action if i continued to contact owner, phony reviews, phony pictures etc... AIRNBNB could care less even wrote to president with no response, and of course you can't get a bad review posted on their site SCAM

This has been the most frustrating experience I have ever had. Booked a reservation with Sussan, and then found out she was a fake. I guessed that the validation process with Air bnb is lacking. Then after couple of conversation with the friendly agents, they gave me a small additional credit, however i had to fork another $1098, to later find that Sherry has cancelled it in lieu of double booking. I have spent far too much time with this website, and can't afford to pay another grand to take the next option. This has been absolutely a horrible experience.

UTTERLY DEPRESSING/DIRTY/TOTALLY OVERPRICED never again!

Feb 4th 2016
We arrived after a long journey. (India to Kenya) On arrival at the 'Turquoise Villa' our hearts sank,
The grounds were poorly maintained, the property was dirty, poorly maintained, and completely unloved, dirty kitchen, dirty kitchen utensils, dirty cooker, dirty fridge etc etc etc
Ripped curtains on the main entrance.
Bedrooms, grubby, dimly lit grubby, linen, grubby towel grubby bathrooms etc etc etc
The 'host' is NOT the owner, he is a neighbour who owns other properties next door, (Much Better quality) he showed us one of his properties, which we immediately agreed to move into the next day.
Air BNB act only as in intermediary, with No authority or real concern, Basically AirBnb ask you to sort it out with the Owner,
When the Owner clearly has no interest in the property.
We asked for a refund for the 1 night we had to stay as we had arrived late and it was getting dark - He Refused.
We moved the next day, The review on your site are from his relatives. Not impartial reviews at all.
As we left the property next door, we could see that Villa Turquoise was having the roof removed - need I say more.
In addition AirBnb claims the property has Washer, Drier, Internet
NO IT DOES NOT!
A VERY POOR EXPERIENCE

I booked a House near Dallas, Texas after carefully reviewing the refund/cancellation policy and confirming that money will be charged to my card once the host confirms my booking. Not even 5 Minutes later I received confirmation of charges from my bank through text and email, however upon viewing my AIRBNB profile, there was no confirmation, no trip showing, or any other way to tell my reservation was made, aside from the charges to my card. Chatting and calling customer service got me no where in life but aggravated and impatient since apparently the reps could not find my trip either, but magically had the last 4 of my card number that was used on file, announcing it was a glitch/ one-off in there system and the charges are not normally applied until the host confirms. CSR Ricardo Barros emailed a statement informing of the error, as well as confirming to me that my refund had already been processed in full. Sounds lovely right? Seems like a rep will tell you anything just to get you off the line so it can be the next man's problem. 5 days later I am still not showing my refund released. I called to follow up and the next delusional rep said that AirBNB never processed it and I would have to log in to my trips to cancel. Now Obviously this bone-head did not do her due diligence to thoroughly read her notes for an IRATE customer because the trip not showing up in my profile is my reason for cancellation in the first place! At this point I demanded a Supervisor, and got stuck with Rizzo who seemed to have been in his position for less that an hour because this dimwit provides ME an authorization code to call and provide my bank to release my funds?!?! In what bank in America would that really work where a consumer can call in their own refund codes and not have the money sent back from the merchant? Let alone, the Less-than-"Super"-no-"visor" Rizzo has yet to follow up with me, allowing me to call back twice while he was clearly providing call avoidance, refusing to come to the line and I sent 2 emails and still no word from the punk! AirBNB failed to provide confirmation, then after admitting their error, they still have yet to resolve the issue. Never will I ever do business with this scam site again.

I booked an apartment through Airbnb's "Superhost" Luka Piscitelli and when I was forced to cancel my entire trip due to unforeseen circumstances, I gave Luka 6 weeks notice, yet he refused to refund 50% of the fee I paid (totalling $236). Despite talking to several supervisors at Airbnb, they refused to help and supported the host because I clicked on something at checkout that says I agreed to this policy (despite my not even remembering seeing it). They put "Superhost" front and centre on his profile, but not these unfair and punitive policies. Shame on you Luka and Airbnb.