How Coronavirus Affects Airbnb’s Cancellation Policy

Airbnb Allowing Refunds Across the World for Cancellations due to Coronavirus

March 14, 2020 Update: Airbnb announced the activation of their extenuating circumstances policy for reservations around the world due to Covid-19’s disruption to global travel. This allows hosts and guests to cancel reservations with no charge or penalty. The policy applies to existing reservations for stays and experiences made on or before March 14, 2020, that have check-in dates from March 14, 2020 until April 14, 2020. Read Airbnb’s full press release to hosts and guests.

Update: Airbnb has put out another press release on March 13th 2020, updating their extenuating circumstances policy due to the Coronavirus. This article has been updated with the latest information from the press release which you can read here.

As coronavirus (COVID-19) has grown to be a large concern for travel around the world, many travellers and hosts are wondering how Airbnb’s cancellation policy is affected. On February 28th, 2019, Airbnb put out a press release about their efforts to protect the community during the outbreak, and how due to the travel restrictions and disruptions Airbnb has activated its “extenuating circumstances policy” to give impacted hosts and guests the option to cancel eligible reservations without charge. 

The extenuating circumstances policy waives cancellation penalties and provides refunds in emergency or unavoidable circumstances, like the current coronavirus outbreak. Airbnb has put out additional information about Coronavirus and the specific dates which the extenuating circumstances policy applies for hosts and guests in the specific countries and regions of the United States, mainland China, Italy, and South Korea. 

What is the Extenuating Circumstances Policy?

Airbnb’s extenuating circumstances policy is meant for emergency or unavoidable circumstances which occur before the official check-in date of an Airbnb reservation. Extenuating circumstances typically require documentation for a refund or to have the cancellation penalties waived. Be aware that the extenuating circumstances policy does not apply to Luxe or Luxury Retreats reservations, which have a separate Luxe Guest Refund Policy.  

Other Scenarios and Coronavirus Resources for Airbnb Hosts and Guests

While Airbnb has outlined the dates for specific countries and regions (you can read them in the section below), there are also other scenarios related to COVID-19 which qualify under Airbnb’s extenuating circumstances policy. These scenarios do require documentation to be provided once a guest or host has cancelled and contacted Airbnb.

Airbnb reservations can be cancelled and still fall under the extenuating circumstances policy if:

• Guests or hosts are complying with disease control restrictions implemented by relevant governmental or health authorities due to coronavirus, like those announced by India, Isreal, or the United States. This includes reservations made on or before the date of the country specifications (found below), and with check-in dates during the impacted timeframe.
• Guests or hosts are performing medical or disease control duties in connection with the coronavirus outbreak.
• Flight or ground transportations are cancelled by an airline or ground transportation provider due to the coronavirus outbreak.
• Hosts and/or guests who obtain a statement from a physician confirming that they can’t host or travel due to health concerns related to the coronavirus.
• For hosts and/or guests diagnosed by a medical or health authority with coronavirus.
• For hosts and/or guests subject to a quarantine order related to coronavirus that coincides with the Airbnb reservation.

Along with these situations and new specifications for specific countries, Airbnb has provided a list of helpful links to coronavirus travel advisories for countries around the world, along with a post with answers to common questions for hosts related to the coronavirus and answers to common questions for guests related to the coronavirus.

Airbnb’s Extenuating Circumstances Policy for COVID-19 by Country

United States

Airbnb reservations in the United States

For guests (and hosts with guests) travelling to or within the USA, Airbnb’s extenuating circumstances policy now applies to reservations booked on or before March 13th, 2020 and that have a check-in date of April 1st, 2020 or earlier.

Mainland China

Airbnb Reservations in Mainland China

For hosts within mainland China who have bookings from guests travelling from within mainland China, due to coronavirus Airbnb’s extenuating circumstances policy now applies to any reservations booked on or before January 28th, 2020, that have a check-in date of April 1st, 2020 or earlier. For hosts with guests outside of and travelling to mainland China, the extenuating circumstances policy applies to reservations booked on or before February 1st, 2020, that have a check-in date of April 1st, 2020 or earlier. These policies also apply to the guests in these circumstances.

Airbnb Guests Travelling from Mainland China with Reservations Outside of Mainland China

If a guest is travelling from within mainland China to a destination outside of mainland China, the extenuating policy applies to reservations booked on or before February 1st, 2020, that have a check-in date of April 1st, 2020 or earlier. This also applies for all hosts outside of mainland China with guests travelling from mainland China.

Italy

Airbnb Reservations in Italy

For hosts with guests travelling to or within Italy, Airbnb’s extenuating circumstances policy applies to reservations booked on or before February 29th, 2020, that have a check-in date of April 3rd, 2020 or earlier.

Airbnb Guests Travelling from Italy with Reservations Outside of Italy

For guests that are travelling from Italy with reservations booked outside of Italy, the extenuating circumstances policy applies to any reservations booked on or before February 29th, 2020, and that have a check-in date of April 3rd, 2020 or earlier. This also applies to hosts outside of Italy with guests travelling from Italy.

South Korea

Airbnb Reservations in South Korea

For hosts and guests with Airbnb reservations in South Korea, the extenuating circumstances policy applies to reservations booked on or before February 25th, 2020, that have a check-in date of March 23rd or earlier. 

Airbnb Guests Travelling from South Korea with Reservations Outside of South Korea

Like the extenuating circumstances policy for Airbnb reservations in South Korea, for reservations outside of South Korea hosting guests from South Korea the extenuating circumstances policy applies to reservations booked on or before February 25th, 2020, that have a check-in date of March 23rd, 2020 or earlier.