Airbnb Extenuating Circumstances [Explained]

For different reasons, your travel plans might change and you are unable to meet your Airbnb reservations. Airbnb has several cancellation policies in anticipation of this.

However, if a guest cancels their reservation outside of the specified cancellation window, they are not entitled to a refund. This is the general rule of Airbnb’s cancellation policy.

Nevertheless, Airbnb recognizes circumstances beyond your control where you have no choice but to cancel your reservations.

These circumstances are described as “extenuating circumstances’ ‘and Airbnb covers these situations in the extenuating circumstances policy on their website.

Canceling a Trip Due to Extenuating Circumstances

Airbnb’s “extenuating circumstances” policy provides guests and hosts with additional flexibility and protection.

Therefore, in the event of unexpected events beyond your control, you can cancel your trip. These circumstances may include:

Natural Disasters

These are situations that are naturally occurring and completely out of your control. As listed by Airbnb, they include:

• Acts of God.
• Large-scale outages of essential utilities.
• Volcanic eruptions.
• Tsunamis.
• Other severe and abnormal weather events.

However, this policy does not include weather conditions that are naturally foreseeable to occur in your area.

Epidemics or Pandemics

Ordinarily, Airbnb’s Extenuating Circumstances Policy does not automatically cover pandemics or epidemics, as they are considered foreseeable events.

However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Airbnb implemented a special policy under extenuating circumstances.

This policy provides flexibility for guests who need to cancel their trips due to COVID-19-related issues. As of May 31, 2022, this policy no longer covers circumstances linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Government-Mandated Obligations

Under these circumstances, it has become illegal to meet your reservation. Sometimes there could be a sudden change to your visa or passport requirements.

However, this does not include personal circumstance that prevents you from traveling. Maybe you lost your travel documents or discovered it has expired.

Airbnb does not classify this as extenuating circumstances under this heading.

Terrorist or Security Concerns

Airbnb prioritizes your safety and recommends taking steps to mitigate any potential risks. In any case of concerns about terrorism or security at your Airbnb destination, this counts as extenuating circumstances.

Others

Airbnb’s extenuating circumstances also recognize other unforeseeable events that significantly impact travel. The policy protects guests and hosts who are impacted by unforeseen circumstances.

These are circumstances beyond their control and may prevent them from fulfilling their obligations related to an Airbnb reservation.

What Is Not Covered Under This Policy

It is important to note that not all situations will be covered by Airbnb’s Extenuating Circumstances Policy.

Guests and hosts should carefully review the policy and contact Airbnb’s customer support team if they have any questions or concerns.

Airbnb has clearly stated that any circumstances not listed under the extenuating circumstances policy are not protected under the policy.

For instance, changes to travel plans or personal circumstances that are within the control of the guest are not covered.

Before making a reservation, Airbnb advises guests to thoroughly study the host’s cancellation policy. Also, guests should research their intended destination and decide whether to get travel insurance.

NOTE

This policy doesn’t apply to Luxe reservations. These reservations are subject to a separate Luxe Guest Refund Policy.

Does This Policy Cover Incidence of Illness or Diseases?

No, this policy excludes the incidence of illnesses, diseases or other personal circumstances. It also excludes governmental obligations. For instance, jury duty, court appearances or military duties.

What Happens If a Guest’s Circumstances Fall Under Extenuating Circumstances

When Airbnb permits cancellation under these circumstances, it supersedes the cancellation policy of the reservation.

If a guest is unable to complete their reservation due to extenuating circumstances, Airbnb may offer a refund or other alternatives.

The specific terms and conditions of the policy can vary depending on the situation and the nature of the extenuating circumstances.

For example, in the case of a natural disaster, Airbnb may offer refunds or rebookings for guests and hosts in affected areas.

In the case of a pandemic, Airbnb may offer full refunds to guests who are unable to travel due to government travel restrictions or health concerns.

In general, the extenuating circumstances policy is intended to provide protection for both guests and hosts.

This is in the event of unforeseen events that impact travel. Understand the specific terms and conditions of the policy and contact Airbnb’s customer service team if you need assistance.

Steps to Cancel an Airbnb Reservation Due to Extenuating Circumstances

If you need to cancel a trip due to extenuating circumstances, these are easy steps to follow:

Review the Policy

The first step is to review Airbnb’s extenuating circumstances policy. This is to determine if your situation qualifies for assistance.

If you believe you qualify, you should contact Airbnb’s customer service team. Do this as soon as possible to discuss your options.

• Log in to your Airbnb account and go to your Trips dashboard.
• Find the reservation you want to cancel and click on it.
• Click on the “Change or Cancel” button.
• Select “Cancel Reservation”.
• Choose the reason for cancellation and select “Extenuating Circumstances”.
• Provide the necessary documentation to support your claim of extenuating circumstances.

When you contact Airbnb, you will need to provide documentation to support your claim of extenuating circumstances. This may include things like medical certificates, death certificates, and proof of natural disasters.

In case of other unforeseen events, you can provide other documentation that supports your claim. The specific requirements and eligibility criteria may vary depending on the circumstances.

Once you have provided documentation, discuss your situation with Airbnb’s customer service team. Afterward, they will work with you to determine the appropriate course of action.

• Review the refund amount and cancellation policy that applies to your reservation.
• Click “Cancel Reservation” to complete the cancellation process

Are You Eligible for a Refund Under This Policy?

If you cancel a reservation due to extenuating circumstances, you may be eligible for a full or partial refund. However, this depends on the circumstances and the cancellation policy that applies to your reservation.

Airbnb will review your claim and documentation and determine the refund amount. Any questions or assistance you need can be directed to Airbnb customer support.

Whether it’s with canceling a reservation due to extenuating circumstances, or any other issue, they are available 24/7 to help you with any issues or concerns you may have.

NOTE

Your claim is required to be submitted within 14 days of cancellation.

It is important to note that Airbnb’s extenuating circumstances policy is designed to assist in situations beyond your control.

This does not count when you cancel your reservation for reasons that do not qualify as extenuating circumstances.

Here, you may be subject to the cancellation policy of your reservation, which could result in penalties or fees.

Final Words

You may be unsure whether or not your situation qualifies as an extenuating circumstance. In this case, it is best to contact Airbnb’s customer service team as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Overall, make sure to read and understand the cancellation policy before booking a reservation.

This way, you can avoid any misunderstandings or unexpected expenses due to the inability to get a refund. The decision to grant a refund or cancellation will ultimately be at the discretion of Airbnb.