As the current outbreak situation continues, Airbnb updates its Extenuating Circumstances policy and allows guests to cancel their reservations that are set from March 14 to May 31.
It hasn’t been a smooth ride for Airbnb hosts; many are disappointed when the company first announced its updated policy that overrode their own cancellation policies. Now, Airbnb will allocate $250 million to help hosts cover the cancellation costs due to COVID-19.
Guests who choose to cancel their stay on or before March can get a standard refund or travel credit, while hosts whose reservations are cancelled between March 14 to May 31 will be paid 25% of their usual cancellation policy.
In addition to that, Airbnb also started a $10 million Superhost Relief Fund, in which Airbnb employees will donate $1 million to Superhosts, while the remaining $9 million will be donated by the co-founders, Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia and Nathan Blecharczyk. Airbnb will also allow guests to send notes and contributions to hosts that they’ve previously stayed in, in case they want to show their support and appreciation.
