Airbnb allows hosts to cancel your holiday and then benefits from your loss!

South Africans should be extremely careful about booking using Airbnb as the Consumer Protection Act in SA seems to hold no bearing on Airbnb bookings. I have made many bookings on Airbnb over several years and to be honest there were no real issues. The increasing Airbnb booking cost has become exorbitant in my opinion, but I was prepared to tolerate that. However, my experience recently has completely put me off using Airbnb.

I made a 28 night reservation with "Luxurious villa has gate onto Groot Constantia" which the host accepted. I received the confirmation number but a few days later the host "Johanna" contacts me to say the price is incorrect and they cancelled the booking. Under SA law this would not have been possible.

After creating so much of excitement around our planned holiday I have now got to tell my kids that we might not be able to go. The host Johanna said "You can submit to airbnb If that makes you feeling better". I am shocked by this statement.

What was more appalling was the response from Jose R from Airbnb - they assured me that they would penalise the advertisers but all of that penalty will be for the benefit of Airbnb. How grossly unfair!!! I am the one at loss but Airbnb benefits. Crazy.

Please be very careful about using Airbnb. Hosts cancel your holiday as they please and Airbnb benefits from this - this is a perfect recipe for a disastrous holiday.