What a channel manager is and why you need one if you manage several properties
· 2 min
Cancellations and overbooking on Airbnb and Booking: penalties and how to avoid them
Cancelling a booking or getting caught in an overbooking is expensive: in money, in ranking and, often, in your host status. We explain the penalties each platform applies and how to stop it happening to you.
Leticia Heres · · 1 min read
Cancelling a booking or getting caught in an overbooking is expensive: in money, in ranking and, often, in your host status. We explain the penalties each platform applies and how to stop it happening to you.
What happens if you cancel a confirmed booking on Airbnb
If you are the one who cancels a booking that is already confirmed, Airbnb applies a minimum penalty of €50, which rises depending on how long is left until check-in:
- More than 30 days in advance: 10% of the booking price.
- Between 30 days and 48 hours before check-in: 25% of the booking total.
- 48 hours or less, or after arrival: 50% of the total for the nights not stayed.
What happens if you cancel on Booking.com
Booking.com is particularly strict on one point: the commission is charged anyway, even if you cancel because of an overbooking, because the property was made available on the platform. Cancelling does not get you out of paying the commission on that booking.
The real cost of overbooking
Beyond the immediate financial penalty, overbooking has consequences that last longer:
- It pushes you down the search rankings on both platforms.
- It can cost you Superhost status on Airbnb if it happens again.
- The affected dates may be left blocked on the listing calendar.
How to avoid it: sync your calendars
The most common cause of overbooking is simple: managing the same property on several platforms without syncing the calendars in real time. A channel manager connects all your sales channels and automatically blocks the dates as soon as a booking is confirmed on any of them, removing the risk of a double booking.
Would you rather someone handled it for you?
At beBalmy we sync your sales channels so overbooking stops being a problem. Tell us about your situation and we will tell you how we can help.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Airbnb penalise me if I cancel a confirmed booking?
It depends on when you cancel: more than 30 days before check-in, 10% of the booking price; between 30 days and 48 hours before, 25%; 48 hours or less, or after arrival, 50% of the nights not stayed, with a minimum of €50.
Does Booking.com charge me commission even if I cancel because of an overbooking?
Yes. Booking.com charges the commission anyway because the property was made available on the platform, whatever the reason for the cancellation.
How do I avoid overbooking if I manage several platforms?
With a channel manager that syncs your calendars in real time and automatically blocks the dates as soon as a booking is confirmed on any channel.
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