Be aware when scheduling your vacation with Airbnb.com, you may run into various problems and unscrupulous hosts on Airbnb.com.
I had two good experiences and now one bad experience with Airbnb. One bad experience out of three is not good.
I have a lot of stock in Airbnb, and now, after my last experience, I’m thinking of selling my stock and sticking with hotels.
My Good Experiences With Airbnb
I previously had a good experience using Airbnb.com to rent an apartment in Paris, France, and a decent experience using Airbnb.com to rent an apartment in Rome, Italy.
My Bad Experience With Airbnb and the Host
But I ran into a problem with Airbnb when I rented an oceanfront apartment in Sunny Isles, Florida, hosted by Ronnie.
On a Saturday night, June 10, I reserved Ronnie’s Sunny Isles apartment for just over two weeks from now, on Monday through Friday, with four people. I paid $1,838 using my Chase Reserve credit card.
The problem is that I just received a message from Airbnb.com saying Airbnb canceled my reservation because the host didn’t confirm within 24 hours, and I should click a link to reschedule the apartment.
When I clicked the link to reschedule the apartment, I noticed that Ronnie increased the price from $299 to $328 per night. I thought that was rather sleazy, but I can afford the extra $29 per night, so I entered the dates again to reserve the apartment, but now it’s not available for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
I would have paid the increased rate for Monday through Friday, so now Ronnie is losing out on two days.
But I don’t have an apartment, and now I am taking two rooms at a hotel for twice the price.
Fortunately, I didn’t buy the airline tickets.
Update: Ronnie sent a message two days later saying, “Hey sorry I was out of town, the unit is available.” It’s interesting that the price was raised while out of town, but my reservation couldn’t be confirmed. I wrote back, “This morning, I took two rooms at The Betsey Hotel in Miami.”
Large Ocean Front 2 BR For 6 Hosted by Ronnie
The apartment I had a bad experience with is listed on Airbnb as Large Ocean Front 2 BR For 6 (https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/903563529857308084) Entire rental unit hosted by Ronnie 6 guests 2 bedrooms 4 beds 2 baths in Sunny Isles, Florida.
The description says:
“This fantastic Large Ocean Front 2 Bedroom features a Master Bedroom with a King Size Bed, Balcony with Ocean Front View, Large Bathroom with a his and her sink, shower & Hot Tub. Second Room has 2 Queen beds, Balcony with Ocean Front View, Full Bathroom with shower and tub combination. Large Living Room with sofabed, Dining Area, Flat Screen TV. Fully stocked kitchen. Located on the Ocean in beautiful Sunny Isles Beach. Enjoy the modern comforts while feeling the warmth of being right at home!”
Airbnb doesn’t give the location of the apartment, which I find annoying, but I noticed a photo of a sandwich shop in the building showing a menu hanging on the wall. I downloaded the image, and after enlarging it, I was able to read Ocean Point, which is Ocean Point Beach Club at 17375 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160.
How Do You File a Complaint Against an Airbnb Host?
I called Airbnb to find out if Airbnb can contact the host to get me the apartment and to leave a review about the host if I can’t get the apartment. Airbnb did not know how I could leave a review but took my complaint.
I asked for a supervisor and was told a supervisor would call me back. So far, I have not received a call from anyone.
Another Complaint About Airbnb and an Airbnb Host
I searched on Google and found, on the Airbnb Community Center, a similar complaint from someone who lost the Airbnb service charge they paid when they canceled because the host raised the price.
Even more concerning is that Joo-Seet0 wrote in the comments,
“It is interesting to read all the comments but not a single reaction from AirBnB.
To all customers and potential customers of AirBnB, please be aware that you book with AirBnB and can still end up with no place to stay on arrival. Why? Because AirBnB allow the host to cancel paid confirmed reservation randomly.
Recently I booked a two-night stay through AirBnB, made payment by credit card and received a confirmation. Subsequently I was informed by AirBnB that the host have cancelled my paid confirmed reservation. The reason for the cancellation: The host have another customer booking for more nights than me. This make unethical logical business for the host.”
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