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Coronavirus information and extenuating circumstances policy

airbnb.com

1–10 of 79 posts

Re: Coronavirus information and extenuating circumstances policy

#5
Airbnb, and others, cancellation policies will be a major reason for the spread of this virus. The sunk cost fallacy is alive and well here, people don't want to lose money just because they feel sick even though they know they shouldn't go when not feeling well. I think at this time the travel industry needs to stand up and relax it's policies even further.

Airbnb will not refund you a stay unless your flight has been cancelled by the airline. Unfortunately the airlines are giving options right now, Delta for example let's you rebook or get refunds to some countries that are trying to shut down this virus at it's source. But not feeling safe, along with being given a refund on a nonrefundable ticket does not matter to Airbnb at all. My recommendation is if you have to travel in the next three months to somewhere in Asia or the Mediterranean is to make sure your booking is fully refundable or get in contact with your host prior to booking and see how leniant they are.

If you thought you could get trip insurance to cover the risk you are also going to be in trouble. Your trip insurance will not cover pandemics, read the fine print.

Re: Coronavirus information and extenuating circumstances policy

#6

this made me cringe: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/829/how-do-i-become-a-su... maybe their PR department should consider a different name instead of "Superhost"

It seems unfortunate in context, at worst. Doesn't feel cringey to me. There are many ways to make a mountain out or a molehill when a sensitive topic is top of mind; best to stay level headed and keep best intentions in mind IMO

Re: Coronavirus information and extenuating circumstances policy

#7

I remember during the SARS outbreak, one of the most common vectors for mass-contamination was hotel usage. I'm going to stay away from Hotels and airbnbs for the next 18 months until the vaccine is ready.

I was told we were not successful developing vaccines for any of previous Coronaviruses unfortunately

Re: Coronavirus information and extenuating circumstances policy

#8
post #7

I remember during the SARS outbreak, one of the most common vectors for mass-contamination was hotel usage. I'm going to stay away from Hotels and airbnbs for the next 18 months until the vaccine is ready.

I was told we were not successful developing vaccines for any of previous Coronaviruses unfortunately

Have we tried though? How about the old-fashioned techniques of "culture a load of the virus, then either cook it or put it in a nuclear reactor for a bit to kill it, and then inject it into people"?

Re: Coronavirus information and extenuating circumstances policy

#9

Airbnb, and others, cancellation policies will be a major reason for the spread of this virus. The sunk cost fallacy is alive and well here, people don't want to lose money just because they feel sick even though they know they shouldn't go when not feeling well. I think at this time the travel industry needs to stand up and relax it's policies even further. Airbnb will not refund you a stay unless your flight has be…

I heard from somebody the other day that he would not cancel his trip to Japan under any circumstance unless he was fully refunded for his 500CHF JR pass and 1,200CHF flight, or the flight was cancelled. It mystified me, as somebody who has been penniless before, it still strikes me as beyond stupid.

Re: Coronavirus information and extenuating circumstances policy

#10
post #7

I remember during the SARS outbreak, one of the most common vectors for mass-contamination was hotel usage. I'm going to stay away from Hotels and airbnbs for the next 18 months until the vaccine is ready.

I was told we were not successful developing vaccines for any of previous Coronaviruses unfortunately

According to Bill Gates there are a number of promising vaccine candidates already but won't be in clinical trials until at least June.

https://www.gatesnotes.com/Health/How-to-respond-to-COVID-19

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