Request for reduction at half the original stay

1

My guest for less than a month away requests and reduced stay with half the price, please I would like to know your thoughts on the matter

2

I might say something like:

"Thank you for your request for a reduced stay length and price reduction.

Please know that I will honor the cancellation policy we each agreed to.

Our business policy is one of fee integrity. That is, the nightly rate represented in the calendar is the real rate, so that guests can rest assured that others are not receiving lower rates through bargaining.

We look forward to hosting you!"

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3

Thank you for your feedback!

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4

By the way, we had a superHost guest request a cancellation because she suddenly realized that we donā€™t permit dogs (severe allergies). When we said ā€˜noā€™ she requested the cancellation. We said, in effect, no (see above).

I was concerned that sheā€™d give us a poor review. We might just have lucked out but she was a great guest and in her words gave us one of our most stellar reviews, also five stars.

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5

The guest is asking to stay a shorter time and also get a discount? Depending on the length of stay, and if I could get a replacement booking I might consider it. Iā€™m not 100% sure thatā€™s what you are saying they are asking for.

My reply on discounts (unless itā€™s a repeat stellar guest) is ā€œI can fill all my available days at my regular rate so I donā€™t need to discount.ā€ That used to be true, my calendar is closed most of the time now.

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You were lucky, almost every one of my 4 star reviews can be traced back to telling the guest no. I still say no, but it is always a concern

RR

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7

I assume making a change to the reservation still opens a window for free cancellation, so allowing a change will also allow the guest to just cancel without penalty, although itā€™s less likely the guest is trying to just cancel since they are reducing your payout. Usually, guests that are trying to get out of cancellation penalties will try to extend their stay or move it to a future date.

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8

Itā€™s only if the guest is requesting to change the start date of the booking to a date later than the original that they can pull that free cancellation shtick. If they are wanting to shave days off the end date, the original cancellation policy would apply.
Itā€™s unclear to me from the OPā€™s post whether the guest is asking for a discount on the nightly rate, or simply a refund for the days they want to cancel.

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myrkats, did you mean reduced days of the stay, or just reduced price for the originally booked stay?
Regardless, agree with above comments regarding sticking with cancellation policy and price.

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I would tell them that what they are asking for isnā€™t possible. Thereā€™s no reason to say more than that - your reasons are not their business.

If they wish to cancel then that would be fine. If they ask about a refund, I would tell them to contact Airbnb because they have the guestā€™s money, I donā€™t.

As there are still a few weeks to go I would permit a refund if pressed but let Airbnb do the communication and the donkey work. With three weeks to go, thatā€™s ample time to fill the dates.

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11

Thank you all for your feedback. Very helpful. They want to shorten the trip and get the new reduced price of the days that they want stay after all. I think I am going to allow the change. I will check if with the new dates is convenient for someone to book the apartment with my minimum stay policy. Thank you all!

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Wow I need to use that respond, itā€™s excellent!

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