Ending Up with Nothing: Guest Tries to Scam for a Full Refund After Booking a Private Room

A guest booked my private room for six nights starting this Tuesday, with the reservation made back in April. As with every guest, I sent a message confirming they had read the listing, understanding that they would be staying in a private room within my home and that my partner and I would be sharing the space.

The guest did not respond for a week, so I asked Airbnb to reach out. The guest told Airbnb over the phone that he knew he had reserved a private room and that I would be there with my partner. He also sent a confirmation message through Airbnb stating the same.

The day before check-in, Airbnb informed me that the guest had changed plans and now desired an entire home because his girlfriend would be staying with him and felt uncomfortable with a private room.

Airbnb asked if I would consider providing a full refund due to this last-minute change in plans, despite my strict cancellation policy. I agreed to refund the nights I could rebook.

No one booked the first night (Tuesday), but a new booking for the remaining five nights came in this morning.

Shortly after that, the guest submitted a money request through the resolution center. He claimed that he should receive a full refund because the listing stated it was an entire home when he booked. In reality, the listing clearly states, three times, that it is a private room in my home, where I live with my partner.

The guest had also acknowledged to me and to Airbnb that he knew he had booked a private room and would be sharing the home with us.

I contacted Airbnb support and explained that, due to his attempt to obtain a full refund by misrepresenting the listing, I was withdrawing my offer to refund the rebooked nights. Airbnb agreed that this was fair, and as a result, the guest ended up with nothing.

When I declined the refund request, I informed the guest that five nights would have been refunded, but he would now receive nothing because of his attempted scam. I can’t leave a review to warn future hosts, but I hope he learns a lesson and won’t try this with other hosts.

Summary

• The guest booked a six-night stay in a private room.
• He changed plans the day before arrival, requesting an entire home.
• I offered to refund only the nights that could be rebooked.
• Five nights were rebooked; a later attempt to obtain a full refund involved misrepresentation.
• Airbnb supported my withdrawal of the refund offer, and the guest received nothing.