Review extortion cannot occur in the review itself, only preceding it.
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Stop being scared of bad reviews and just say NO! This is an attempt to scam you into altering the booking so she can cancel without penalty. Just say NO.
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Thank you everyone for your wisdom and advice… you guys are really tough and I needed to hear how you handle things… I roll over and give them free future stays for themselves and their friends and or money if I rebook for any of their dates… treating others as I would want to be treated…Strict cancellation policy and every time they do this I want to ask… did your airline give you a free cancellation and refund too? Thank you for some backbone … will hear your voices the next time this comes up…
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Who says?? It doesn’t say that in the TOS. It sounds like a fairly reasonable policy, and nothing like ABB 
Anyways, that’s why I said "
I did have a review removed for “extortion intimidation” (their word not mine), which was a similar situation (guest complained about no-refund in their low-star review).
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Good to know! Thanx.
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You should never be afraid of your guests. Never. And as discussed often here, reviews that are retaliatory can be managed after the fact.
Tell her to cancel and she can book when your June calendar opens. Keep all communication on the platform. If her marriage miraculously gets “fixed,” and she’s a terror from the moment she steps in the door, have Air move her (good luck in Florida in high season).
Lucky you having a Christmas booking!!
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Thank you everyone for your advice. I told her no and she didn’t respond until almost 24 hours later. She just said it isn’t going to work out and cancelled her reservation. Thank you all for your much needed advice. I truly appreciate your time
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Hopefully, that’s exactly enough information - to prevent her from claiming EC. I’m pretty sure marital strife doesn’t qualify. 
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If you’re cancellation policy would have resulted in payment - you simply need to state that, and ask her to make a new reservation. The policy is meant to protect you, not disadvantage you.
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@Sstull2, I know it’s been a few days since you posted this, but I felt inclined to comment.
There are 6 cancellation policies Airbnb offers hosts to use to best match their profit needs and chance of rebooking. We employ the Flexible policy for 2 main reasons: (1) this isn’t our primary source of income and we can forgo a near-to-last-minute cancellation, and (2) there’s a really good chance a near-to-last-minute cancellation will get booked by another guest. There’s also some benefit to being one of only a few quality Airbnbs in your city: we get booked a lot.
You need to pick a callenation policy that works best for you and one you can confidently stand behind. Our guests have until 3 p.m. the day before check-in to cancel, which I think is ample time, and it still gives us a full day for another potential booking. Most of our bookings seem to be made within a few days of check-in, so Moderate cancellation policy provides no flexibility for our guests.
We have refunded guests for same-day bookings, usually bc they booked in a hurry and failed to read a map, but they must cancel it. I’m a wicked pushover when it comes to these things, but I have learned to be more assertive. It’s not just me losing out of income if they cancel, we know other travelers are looking for places to stay, and flaking out on your own trip only prevents others from having a place to stay. We’re providing a real public service, not simply a clean, comfortable place to sleep.
Don’t let the tails of woe cloud your judgement. If you think your cancellation policy is fair, you should have no trouble enforcing it. Travelers should buy their travel insurance if they think they need.
Air should offer TI
When you book from me directly you get an opportunity to buy TI (travel Ins.), as long as the reservation is more than 30 days out. I do not know of any TI company that will write a policy less than 30 days out but I could be wrong.
It is cheaper for Air to use hosts for TI
RR
True, and I doubt most TI has marriage spat protection. As a first line of “insurance,” that’s why we have a mutually agreed upon cancellation policy.
LOL. I’m going to New Zealand in Feb and the spouse of my friend there was last week “made redundant” as they put it there. Both of them are now applying for jobs both inside and outside of New Zealand. If I were starting to plan now I wouldn’t go at all now but tickets are purchased, Airbnb reservations made, concert tickets purchased. All I can do now is hope for the best, there isn’t much I can do to hedge possible losses.
Still welcome here! Only across the ditch!
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Never know…I’ll keep you in mind.
I thought that the spouse was redundant AS A SPOUSE until I read…
Totally agree with is suggestion
Have fun! Even if it ends up being a solo vacation for you!! Solo vacations can be super fun.
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