Jeff R.

We booked a 3bed unit in London for a week (host "Caroline") After a few days, Caroline informs us via the airbnb email system that she is cancelling the reservation because the unit was booked by another web site. Really disappointing, but I guess that happens.

So we start over and find another 3bed unit we like (host "Lola"). Lola has some great reviews. Again, I pre-pay the entire reservation on my Visa and it seems like we are all set. Then we receive another message from airbnb that (1) our payment method is not valid, (2) our new reservation is cancelled and (3) our airbnb account is immediately CLOSED. WHAT!? Our payment method was certainly valid and in fact airbnb had now charged us for two reservations. I called our credit card (Citibank) and they said that no refunds have been processed.

Now, I've booked a hotel and I'm fighting with airbnb to get my money back. They say they have processed the refunds, but Citibank says they have not. What an amazing scam (err, I mean service).