Cancel Airbnb Bookings from the Agency
In exceptional cases, it may be necessary to cancel a confirmed booking on Airbnb. Now, thanks to the integration with Avantio, you can do this directly from the VRMS. However, keep in mind that these cancellations carry penalties set by Airbnb.
Accepted Reasons for Cancellation
When canceling, you must select a primary and a secondary reason. Airbnb offers different categories:
1. My space is not available
Emergency
Agency unavailable
Double booking
2. Looking for a different price or stay duration
Booking change
3. Concerned about an unauthorized party
Guest has reviews indicating they have hosted parties
Guest has indicated they will host a party
4. Concerns about previous reviews or current behavior of the guest
Guest has reviews indicating they have not respected rules
Guest has indicated they will not respect rules
Concerned about the guest's potential behavior
5. My accommodation does not meet the guest's needs
6. Other reasons
How to Cancel from the VRMS
Open the booking and select “Cancel”.
Choose the “Agency” option as the reason for cancellation.
A panel will open where you must complete:
Primary reason (mandatory).
Secondary reason (mandatory).
Comment for the guest (mandatory).
Comment for Airbnb (optional, private, between 30 and 240 characters).
Confirm the cancellation.
👉 Pay attention to details: once confirmed, the booking is lost and cannot be recovered. If you want to maintain the relationship with the guest, you will need to ask them to make a new booking.
Penalties
All cancellations made by the agency incur a penalty.
The amount is determined by Airbnb and is deducted from the next booking.
The calculation is done in US dollars, so it may vary depending on the exchange rate at the time of cancellation.
Best Practices
Avoid cancellations: try to use them only in cases of force majeure.
Communicate transparently: leave a clear and cordial message to the guest explaining the situation.
Be proactive: if you suspect potential misbehavior, cancel as soon as possible to avoid bigger issues.
Quick Checklist
Have I correctly selected the reason and sub-reason?
Have I informed the guest with a clear message?
Do I understand that the booking will be permanently lost after confirmation?
Am I aware of the penalty and applicable currency?
Conclusion
Canceling a booking is never ideal, but with this functionality, you can manage it directly from the VRMS more efficiently. Use this option responsibly, inform guests well, and keep in mind the penalties applied by Airbnb.
Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I cancel by mistake?
The booking cannot be recovered. You can only ask the guest to make a new one.
Do all cancellations incur a penalty?
Yes, although the amount may vary depending on the reason and what Airbnb determines.
Where is the penalty deducted?
From the next confirmed booking on Airbnb.
Can I cancel without giving a reason?
No. It is mandatory to select a reason and sub-reason.
Will the guest see my comments?
Yes, they will see the message you direct to them in the cancellation. The private message to Airbnb is only for the portal.