• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 31 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 31st anniversary: Happy 31st Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $23,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $23 Million dollars
  • Wish you could meet up with other TUG members? Well look no further as this annual event has been going on for years in Orlando! How to Attend the TUG January Get-Together!
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    Tens of thousands of subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

BIG problems with an AirBRB booking!!

pwrshift

Tug Review Crew: Rookie
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
5,529
Reaction score
29
Location
Toronto
Resorts Owned
Marriott Manor Club - 3 weeks platinum, 2 weeks at Marriott Beachplace Towers, and 1 week at Marriott Canyon Villas
I booked a 5 bdrm home in Davenport, FL with AirBRB for March 6 to 20. Paid for it months ago to house 9 people. When I hadn't received any check in info from the 'host' owner of the home, I called both AirBRB and the host to see if all was OK. Couldn't get the host at all, and he never returned my calls. AirBRB also tried without success and told me if they don't hear from him by Friday this week they'll cancel the reservation and refund my money.

However, it's a special occasion and 7 of the 9 people coming to the event have booked AirCanada return flights for $1200 each that can't be cancelled...the spring break period is rip off time for airlines.

I am less than impressed with AirBRB as this wrecks everything for the celebration...and anything I look at now has much higher rates than what I paid. Rather than refunding the money, I would have thought AirBRB would just find another comparable place for us, but that doesn't appear to be what they do in cases like this.

Any thoughts on this would be welcome. It's the first time I've used them. A few years back I used VRBO and had no problems, but this experience with AirBRB is terrible.

Brian
 

pwrshift

Tug Review Crew: Rookie
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
5,529
Reaction score
29
Location
Toronto
Resorts Owned
Marriott Manor Club - 3 weeks platinum, 2 weeks at Marriott Beachplace Towers, and 1 week at Marriott Canyon Villas

vacationhopeful

TUG Review Crew: Rookie
TUG Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2007
Messages
12,760
Reaction score
1,700
Location
Northeast USA
Must be a suburb of Orlando as the promo says 10 minutes to Disney.

Mapquest says it is 31-34 driving minutes in Moderate Traffic to WDW ... 22 miles.

Mapquest says it is 58 driving minutes in Moderate Traffic to MCO airport ... 33 miles.
 

SMHarman

TUG Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2013
Messages
4,171
Reaction score
86
Location
NY NY
I booked a 5 bdrm home in Davenport, FL with AirBRB for March 6 to 20. Paid for it months ago to house 9 people. When I hadn't received any check in info from the 'host' owner of the home, I called both AirBRB and the host to see if all was OK. Couldn't get the host at all, and he never returned my calls. AirBRB also tried without success and told me if they don't hear from him by Friday this week they'll cancel the reservation and refund my money.

However, it's a special occasion and 7 of the 9 people coming to the event have booked AirCanada return flights for $1200 each that can't be cancelled...the spring break period is rip off time for airlines.

I am less than impressed with AirBRB as this wrecks everything for the celebration...and anything I look at now has much higher rates than what I paid. Rather than refunding the money, I would have thought AirBRB would just find another comparable place for us, but that doesn't appear to be what they do in cases like this.

Any thoughts on this would be welcome. It's the first time I've used them. A few years back I used VRBO and had no problems, but this experience with AirBRB is terrible.

Brian
Have you told airbnb all this.

Do you have travel insurance including failure of vendor.

Have others updated reviews of the airbnb recently.
 

BevL

TUG Lifetime Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2004
Messages
5,170
Reaction score
7
Location
BC Canada
I'm sorry to hear you hit a lemon. We've had excellent results with VRBO and AirBNB, both ourselves and our daughter.

We've always spoken before paying to the renter, and gotten some sort of confirmation right away upon payment so your situation sounds unusual - which doesn't help much but just for the benefit of others who might be thinking of using one of these types of booking places.

Being that it's in the Orlando area, are you able to perhaps find a replacement? I would hazard a guess that it's an easier area to find alternate accommodations than, say, a lake in the middle of nowhere. And if you're getting a refund a few weeks ahead and could find something else, good that you will have your money from the first place in hand.

Please don't think I'm minimizing your stress. Trying to look for a little bit of light at the end of what probably seems like a devilishly dark tunnel. Please let us know what happens.
 

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
58,814
Reaction score
10,739
Location
Northern, CA
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim) NEW: 3 Lawa'i Beach Resort!
I booked a 5 bdrm home in Davenport, FL with AirBRB for March 6 to 20. Paid for it months ago to house 9 people.

WHEN did you contact AirBnB?
 

pwrshift

Tug Review Crew: Rookie
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
5,529
Reaction score
29
Location
Toronto
Resorts Owned
Marriott Manor Club - 3 weeks platinum, 2 weeks at Marriott Beachplace Towers, and 1 week at Marriott Canyon Villas
Contact with AirBNB seems to be working they will let me know about this one on the weekend and may put us in another place.

Will keep you all informed. Thanks all.

Brian
 

Kal

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
4,450
Reaction score
575
Location
Redmond, WA
Once someone has experience like this, it will become a rule to have travel insurance. Been there, done it. Now I ALWAYS get travel insurance.
 

sjsharkie

TUG Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2012
Messages
2,334
Reaction score
442
Contact with AirBNB seems to be working they will let me know about this one on the weekend and may put us in another place.

Will keep you all informed. Thanks all.

Brian
It is good that they are looking to put you in another place. From a customer service perspective, that is the right thing to do.

However, their policy is clear -- you are entitled to a refund in the event that the host does not meet their obligations. You are NOT entitled to replacement accommodations per their policy.

-ryan
 

Talent312

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
17,875
Reaction score
7,741
Resorts Owned
HGVC & GTS
For all you or airBnB know, the owner could be in jail on drug charges, or dead...
Unlikely, but the issue with private rentals is that you do not know how reliable the other party is.
.
 

sjsharkie

TUG Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2012
Messages
2,334
Reaction score
442
Once someone has experience like this, it will become a rule to have travel insurance. Been there, done it. Now I ALWAYS get travel insurance.
I'm not following here... Airbnb is granting the OP a refund but the OP wants replacement accommodations. A travel insurance policy would have reimbursed him for non-refundable flights and other non-refundable costs assuming he didn't follow through on his vacation (which would not apply in this case since he is still taking his trip) -- but it wouldn't provide him with replacement accommodations either.

Travel insurance -- at least the policies that I have used -- grant the same thing -- a refund/reimbursement of costs. They don't typically guarantee replacement accommodations.

Maybe I'm missing something?...
 

Kal

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
4,450
Reaction score
575
Location
Redmond, WA
Yes, I did collect however it took lots of documentation and correspondence. You really need to carefully review the fine print on any Travel Insurance. One particular situation was cancelled airline reservation requiring extended 2 day stay at destination resort.

As an example just for damaged luggage:

- Airline claim must be filed at first airport where damage was found
- Airline does not cover damage to wheels, zippers or handles.
- Insurance requires written denial of claim from airline
- Insurance requires photographs of damage
- Insurance requires RECEIPT of original luggage purchase
- Insurance depreciates value of luggage to date of damage.
 

elaine

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
5,360
Reaction score
2,327
Location
DC
Resorts Owned
HGVC Eagles Nest, DVC-AKV, HHI
would travel ins cover airbnb?
 

isisdave

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
2,815
Reaction score
1,348
Location
Evansville IN
Resorts Owned
Marriott Waiohai
I'm not following here... Airbnb is granting the OP a refund but the OP wants replacement accommodations. A travel insurance policy would have reimbursed him for non-refundable flights and other non-refundable costs assuming he didn't follow through on his vacation (which would not apply in this case since he is still taking his trip) -- but it wouldn't provide him with replacement accommodations either.

Travel insurance -- at least the policies that I have used -- grant the same thing -- a refund/reimbursement of costs. They don't typically guarantee replacement accommodations.

Maybe I'm missing something?...

Yes, OP booked a 5-bedroom house for 9 people less than two weeks from now. It is not easy to book large properties on short notice, so he will very much appreciate help finding another. The alternative is something like 4 or 5 hotel rooms, I imagine.
 

WinniWoman

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2010
Messages
11,316
Reaction score
7,570
Location
The Weirs, New Hampshire
Resorts Owned
Innseason Pollard Brook
would travel ins cover airbnb?

Yes. I know I have used CSA for timeshare rentals and Home Away also has plans from what I recall because I always get travel insurance and I have used Home Away several times, so I assume the same would be with airbnb as long as it is the right policy.

I even get travel insurance for my own timeshare use.
 

sjsharkie

TUG Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2012
Messages
2,334
Reaction score
442
Yes, OP booked a 5-bedroom house for 9 people less than two weeks from now. It is not easy to book large properties on short notice, so he will very much appreciate help finding another. The alternative is something like 4 or 5 hotel rooms, I imagine.

My point was travel insurance will not cover what Airbnb is already covering -- a complete refund. Travel insurance would have not provided any additional coverage in this case unless the OP incurred other non-refundable expenses related to the host rental unavailability.

-ryan
 

pwrshift

Tug Review Crew: Rookie
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
5,529
Reaction score
29
Location
Toronto
Resorts Owned
Marriott Manor Club - 3 weeks platinum, 2 weeks at Marriott Beachplace Towers, and 1 week at Marriott Canyon Villas
I'm still up in the air on this Airbrb fiasco, but they have assured me the 'host' is presently in asia and can't be contacted by email or phone (strange?) but it's rented now and will be there when I need it or theyll replace it. I've just booked a timeshare 2 two bedroom suites at the Marriott chairmanship discount on a marriott orlando TS as a backup but it just won't be the same as what everyone was planning for...and even more money than Airbrb, but really have no choice as 7 people paid $1200 each just to fly there. Can't bring myself to tell these people yet there might be problems. Such a mess.

The stress of all this makes it very hard to recommend Airbrb to anyone.

I have 2016 insurance with Marriott but it only covers problems that might arise using a Marriott TS holiday, not Airbrb or anything else.
 
Last edited:

sjsharkie

TUG Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2012
Messages
2,334
Reaction score
442
I'm still up in the air on this Airbrb fiasco, but they have assured me the 'host' is presently in asia and can't be contacted by email or phone (strange?) but it's rented now and will be there when I need it or theyll replace it. I've just booked a timeshare 2 two bedroom suites at the Marriott chairmanship discount on a marriott orlando TS as a backup but it just won't be the same as what everyone was planning for...and even more money than Airbrb, but really have no choice as 7 people paid $1200 each just to fly there. Can't bring myself to tell these people yet there might be problems. Such a mess.

The stress of all this makes it very hard to recommend Airbrb to anyone
I can see your point of view. A non-responsive host would make me uneasy as well.

However, I'm not sure how many ratings this host has received but that goes to reliability. Airbnb must be fairly confident that the host is reliable or I think they would have gone an alternate route (immediate refund and cancel or looking for a replacement rental) -- they have the ability to override the cancellation policy, and in this case, they have chosen not to do so.

Plus Orlando generally isn't short on supply on rentals, and even though it might not be optimal, I think you will be fine either way. (Sounds like you have a backup plan to boot.)

Good luck!

-ryan
 

pwrshift

Tug Review Crew: Rookie
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
5,529
Reaction score
29
Location
Toronto
Resorts Owned
Marriott Manor Club - 3 weeks platinum, 2 weeks at Marriott Beachplace Towers, and 1 week at Marriott Canyon Villas
On my way to a two week stay at my TS in Fort Lauderdale, I'm in Orlando today and going to try and see if the host or a renter is there this week. Still haven't heard anything more from AirBRB. Very concerning mainly because family members have paid almost $9000 in non refundable airfares...so just getting the rental fees back is not sufficient.

I do have the annual Marriott insurance for 2016 but don't think it would cover house rental outside of Marriott.

Brian
 

pwrshift

Tug Review Crew: Rookie
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
5,529
Reaction score
29
Location
Toronto
Resorts Owned
Marriott Manor Club - 3 weeks platinum, 2 weeks at Marriott Beachplace Towers, and 1 week at Marriott Canyon Villas
Got a call from the host of the AirBNB rental that he is back and not to worry as all will be ok. He and wife were 'overseas' and had no access to Internet or phones which seems strange but my mind is a little more at ease now that all will work out as planned.

Brian
 

Tia

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
3,482
Reaction score
564
Not sure how strange but we were just in the USVI and our Verizon phones would be roaming so they were turned it off. Family had contact info in case of emergency.
 

Passepartout

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2007
Messages
29,169
Reaction score
18,463
Location
Twin Falls, Eye-Duh-Hoe
I'll wager you let out a great big breath of relief upon hearing that from your soon-to-be landlord. We have rented several vrbo's, and compared to timeshares and hotels with a fully staffed front desk, these more or less private rentals DO require a certain leap of faith that everything will come together without a hitch.

But heck, travel adventures are almost always about your ability to deal with some adversity.

Jim
 

flexible

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2008
Messages
663
Reaction score
9
Location
Northern California
He and wife were 'overseas' and had no access to Internet or phones which seems strange
Brian

Brian,
Great to hear all is well.

Unfortunately, it is no longer strange that someone might not have access to internet or phones (except perhaps satellite phones). Internet/Cell Phone/UVerse outages for large geographical areas lasting over 24 hours are a reality. Hopefully your AirBnB vendor didn't experience similar problems mentioned below:

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/4450521-181/pd-default-story-headline-xy?artslide=0

http://consumerist.com/2015/08/13/f...utting-californias-fiber-optic-cables-or-why/

http://www.itworld.com/article/2936...-of-fiber-cuts-in-san-francisco-bay-area.html

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FBI-Investigating-Serial-Fiber-Cutter-in-San-Francisco-134223
 
Last edited:
Top