I would like to get some feedback on this from other hosts. My guests that were due to arrive this Tuesday for 10 days just called in a panic saying that her passport has expired and they can’t travel and are unable to get a new one in time because of Covid-19. I suggested that they move their reservation forward a couple months so now they are coming at the end of September so they can get a new passport in order but now I have a 10 day hole in my calendar.
Now they can cancel penalty free… I never alter a reservation. I have it in my house rules that our policy does not allow changes or alterations to a reservation and to be sure before you book.
Good luck
RR
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And they probably will. Great advice from RR.
I’m a bit confused. They were coming for 20 days and now you have ten days free in your calendar?
I know there’s a lot to learn for new and newish hosts (reading this forum is a great education) but it’s a good idea to have an action plan to fill gaps due to cancellations. In fact, it’s good to have action plans for all sorts of eventualities. Work them out when you’re doing things that don’t need much brainpower such as when you’re showering or standing in line at the supermarket.
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Having traveled last summer with someone who packed the wrong passport (an expired one rather than the new one) I have empathy for the guests, but with that said …
If you believe that you would not have gotten a lengthy (20 day) booking for the end of September, this was a wise move but as @RiverRock suggests you always ask the guest to request the change for your approval.
If you probably would have booked those (end of September) dates anyway, it was probably shortsighted.
At this point you can try lowering your prices or taking on one of the AirBNB “coupons” that might boost your listing.
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I’ll have to put that in my house rules, thanks.
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Thanks to the feedback I have now asked for a copy of the expired passport to support my arguèrent with Airbnb in case this is a scam.
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Oops should be “they were coming for 10 days” . Thanks I’ve changed it now. I’ve since gone out to the guests and asked for a copy of the expired passport. And if they can’t produce it I will go to Airbnb.
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Wow that is some seriously good advise. The woman was pretty broken up in the phone when she called which made me thing it’s legit. It’s such an easy thing to have happen if you don’t travel often.
Where are you located? How’s business been recently?
My experience is just the opposite, that many of those who contribute have years of experience and a provide very good advice, especially those who have already advised OP.
I’ll take that over your knowledge of / experience with this forum (all 28 min)
Psychological projection is a defense mechanism in which the human ego defends itself against unconscious impulses or qualities (both positive and negative) by denying their existence in themselves while attributing them to others.[1] For example, a bully may project their own feelings of vulnerability onto the target. It incorporates blame shifting and can manifest as shame dumping .[2]
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Not only did you reply, you went back and edited your reply. Hope I didn’t hit a nerve there.
BTW…obviously the only way you can experience this forum is with an account. You’re goofy.
Ouch! Looks like they just suspended Expedited Service - except “life or death”.
Tell them to contact their local center and “fall on their sword” and beg them to make an exception. Calling 1st thing in the morning is best. Worst case, they are told, “sorry”. But, who knows - it might work out.
Oh … and I would not have offered them anything. You did not cause the problem. The MOST that I would offer is to have the option to refund them for days that get re-booked.
A lack of preparation on their side does not constitute an emergency on ours …
Or, as we often say, “We are not travel insurance”!
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Actually, anyone can view the forum without an account. They simply may not post without one.
Am I goofy too? 
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I do edit my replies often to correct spelling, grammar, or enhance my point. It had nothing to do with you. The only nerve you hit is your insult to “most of the posters on this forum”.
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How did this become your problem?
Even if it is true, it is still not your problem. It’s no different than if they forgot to buy a plane ticket or missed their flight because they took too long drying their hair.
You could offer to refund the days that you re-book, if you are feeling for them, but no more than that. By letting them move the reservation, you are giving her the opportunity to cancel without penalty. It’s better to have her cancel and then give her a credit for some of the money she lost.
That could be covered by your passport-irresponsible guest until you get bookings to fill them.
It doesn’t need to be in your house rules. Hosts are never obligated to accept any changes or alterations to a reservation.
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I joined this forum some time ago, as I had some difficulty navigating the Airbnb site to solve a particular problem I had.
I quickly received three different yet equally helpful suggestions.
What do you hope to get from the forum?
Once you post your query, most likely you will get some great answers.
The forum members are diverse-country, age, gender, culture, nationality and most importantly, hosting experience - all generously offered.
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Hey @HH_AZ, great advice but what do you mean by taking “coupons”? I looked at the “Manage Listings” page and can’t find anything. Can you provide a screenshot or some further advice?
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It’s under Calendar. If you have any promotions available it’ll show just to the left of “Hide Prices” and “Hide Rule-sets”.
You do have to be using the Multi Calendar possibly for it to show up.
JF
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Ahhh thank you, I never knew that these existed. There weren’t any in my calendar but I will watch out for them in the future.
So far the only ones we’ve had available have been 10% off for a seven day or more booking.
To be frank, we disregard everything Airbnb suggests about pricing, they just want to encourage the race to the bottom. The only time we’ve ever used their “promotions” was when our listings first went live, the discount plus the new listing bump meant we got the first three reviews pretty quickly.
JF
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No it does not, after I had a guest want to cancel last minute because his GF was sick and AIRBNB told him to add her to the reservation then they could cancel under EC I decided to make it clear. I did not fall for it btw.
RR
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