Airbnb offers hosts 25% of COVID-19 cancellation costs and grants up to $5,000

Airbnb Co-founder, CEO and Head of Community Brian Chesky sent an e-mail to Airbnb hosts today outlining actions to support them through the COVID-19 crisis. It also includes an update to our Extenuating Circumstances policy: guests who have reservations made before March 14 that begins anytime on or before May 31, can cancel the reservation and get a full refund or a travel credit if they are impacted by COVID-19 and can’t travel.
Read the full message here:
Dear Host,
What a devastating couple of months this has been for all of us. Like many of you, I wake up every day distanced from friends and co-workers, wondering what the world has in store. As I see the news every day, my heart goes out to all the countries, communities, and families that are being overwhelmed by the scale and impact of this crisis.
Amidst all this, the global travel industry has come to a halt. Airlines are grounded and borders are closed. Most of us—including our guests—are on government advised lockdowns, unable to leave our homes. Travel as we know it is almost impossible.
On March 11, when the World Health Organization declared a pandemic, we were faced with a dilemma. If we allowed guests to cancel and receive a refund, we knew it could have significant consequences on your livelihood. But, we couldn’t have guests and hosts feel pressured to put themselves into unsafe situations and create an additional public health hazard. We determined that we had to allow your guests to cancel and receive a full refund—including all our fees. Please know this decision was not a business decision but based on protecting public health.
However, while I believe we did the right thing in prioritizing health and safety, I’m sorry that we communicated this decision to guests without consulting you—as partners should. We have heard from you and we know we could have been better partners.
Although it may not have felt like it, we are partners. When your business suffers, our business suffers. We know that right now many of you are struggling, and what you need are actions from us to help, not just words.
Here are some actions we are taking to help you navigate the crisis.
We will pay $250 million to hosts to help cover the cost of COVID-19 cancellations
When a guest cancels an accommodation reservation due to a COVID-19 related circumstance, with check-in between March 14 and May 31, we will pay you 25% of what you would normally receive through your cancellation policy. This applies retroactively to all COVID-19 related cancellations during this period. This cost will be covered entirely by Airbnb. These payments will begin to be issued in April. Guests with reservations booked on or before March 14 will still be able to cancel and receive a standard refund or travel credit equivalent for 100% of what they paid. You can go to airbnb.com/250msupport for more details.
We are creating a $10 million Superhost Relief Fund
This is designed for Superhosts who rent out their own home and need help paying their rent or mortgage, plus long-tenured Experience hosts trying to make ends meet. Our employees started this fund with $1 million in donations out of their own pockets, and Joe, Nate and I are personally contributing the remaining $9 million. Starting in April, hosts can apply for grants for up to $5,000 that don’t need to be paid back. You can go to airbnb.com/superhostrelief for more details.
We are making it easy for your previous guests to send financial support directly to you
We have heard from countless guests who are incredibly grateful for the flexibility of Airbnb hosts and are interested in supporting you financially. We are creating a way for guests to send a note along with a contribution to any of the hosts who they’ve previously stayed with. We expect this to go live in April. We know that even a little goes a long way during this challenging time.
We have worked together to secure support for hosts in the US Government’s recent COVID-19 Stimulus Bill
This legislation now allows for US hosts to take advantage of many relief measures, including small business grants, small business loans, and unemployment assistance. A huge thank you for the more than 105,000 calls and emails you made to members of Congress.
We are also working on other initiatives and we will provide more detail in the coming weeks. These include actively working with experts and epidemiologists on cleanliness standards to keep you and your guests safe, trip insurance for you and your guests, and programs to deliver a demand to help rebuild your business.
My commitment to you is to rebuild our partnership. When we are working together, we are at our strongest and absolute best. I’ve seen an example of this happen recently in our combined efforts to offer housing for medical responders on the front lines. Together we are helping to house over 100,000 healthcare providers, relief workers, and first responders by providing housing to them for free or with a subsidy. Over 40,000 of you have already raised your hands to help. Visit airbnb.com/covid19relief to join them.
Trust is the foundation of a partnership, and it is built over time. We know that we have some work to do in strengthening yours, but it’s our priority and we are committed to it. When travel comes back—and it will—we look forward to welcoming millions of guests together again.
Brian Chesky
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
26/05 22:16
Former Archbishop of America honored by National Kapodistrian University of Athens
26/05 20:25
Newton Shows and St. Paul Cathedral to jointly present Long Island Greek Festival
26/05 15:32
Reuters report: Greek bonds trading as though they already have investment grade
25/05 20:53
New ministers in caretaker government announced ahead of second elections in Greece
25/05 20:08
Greek professor wins WHO annual award for anti-smoking campaign efforts
25/05 17:12
Hike in coronavirus infections and flu cases with 52 deaths In Greece
25/05 14:58
Moody's forecast: New ND government in Greece will be 'credit positive'
24/05 21:27
New public art exhibit flutters into Greektown of Chicago on June 2
24/05 20:36
European Commission: Greece should continue implementing recovery plan consistently
24/05 18:18
Deadline to file taxes is extended in Greece to July 31 by Finance Ministry
24/05 12:31
State Department: Our cooperation with Greece strengthens NATO and makes the region safer
24/05 09:14
ELSTAT: Hospitality enterprises' turnover grows 28.6% in Greece during Q1
24/05 00:22
23/05 22:19
Greek PM: Higher salaries a main focus of second-term New Democracy government
23/05 19:14
Greek Foreign Minister Dendias visiting Brussels and honored by AHEPA
23/05 19:06
Lamda Development announces deal to build first Mandarin Oriental hotel in Athens
23/05 16:09
Athens Acropolis Museum in 'Green Cultural Routes' action this weekend
23/05 13:24
DBRS: Sunday's vote could lead to credit improvements for Greece
22/05 21:32
Wall Street Journal: Greek voters rewarded ruling party's pro-business push
22/05 21:16
Traffic to be restricted on Alexandras avenue in downtown Athens as of May 23
22/05 20:23
OANA meeting on May 24 over sustainable power generation and summer youth activities
22/05 19:26
US State Department congratulates Greece on Sunday's electoral results
22/05 14:35
21/05 16:41
Media: Greece recovers hundreds of stolen artifacts including Alexander’s statue
21/05 15:51
Participation of Greek voters in today's elections at 31,52% so far
21/05 11:38
20/05 18:30
City of Athens presents Ecumenical Patriarch with its highest distinction
20/05 14:22
Polls open for Diaspora Greeks in historic first for the country
20/05 14:11
19/05 21:53
Greece's Interior Ministry releases practical information for voters
19/05 20:09
Zappeion press center open in central Athens as of 9:00 am Saturday
19/05 19:59
National e-Mobility Plan posted for public consultation in Greece to June 16
19/05 16:00
18/05 23:55
Greek Prime Minister: Thessaloniki Metro commitment met successfully
18/05 21:18
Safety Audit for Ground Operations reaches 15 years of advancing aviation safety
18/05 18:51
Athens Megaron Garden events this summer with Lena Platonos feature, opera screenings
18/05 11:42
International Museum Day with free entrance and special events in Greece
18/05 00:02
UNWTO identifies priorities for promoting rural tourim potential
17/05 22:03
International Air Transport Association: Bookings points to strong peak season travel
17/05 17:07
Greek Maritime Golf Event, the best golf tournament returns for its 9th year
17/05 15:17
Green light for the construction of Panathinaikos Stadium in Votanikos of Athens
17/05 14:43
Greek firms announce deal for developing renewable energy projects in Egypt
17/05 14:26
16/05 22:22
Greek FM: Greece and Turkey could create 'a burst of opportunities and growth'
16/05 22:15
The Global Greek Film Initiative holds Inaugural Benefit Event on May 4th
16/05 18:58
Greece requests new €1.72 billion disbursement from EU's Recovery Fund
16/05 16:48
Focus Africa Conference to boost aviation’s contribution to African Development
16/05 13:07
Athens Chamber of Commerce: New type of consumer is emerging
15/05 20:57
Greece launches research center for management of stranded marine animals
15/05 17:02
Prince Albert II of Monaco to visit the island of Elafonissos on May 29
15/05 16:09
Greek budget recorded 2.434 billion euros primary surplus in January-April
15/05 09:13
The President of the Hellenic Republic visiting Iceland on May 15-17
14/05 16:06
14/05 15:14
Greek Tourism Minister expects 2023 sector performance to top last year by 10-20%
13/05 22:01
UNWTO organizes executive training on tourism for rural growth in Middle East
12/05 22:22
Greek PM from Rhodes: South Aegean has had highest population growth in Greece
12/05 21:26
Dr. Jigang Bao clinches UNWTO Ulysses Prize for excellence in tourism scholarship
12/05 21:03
12/05 14:19
Fitch: Greek Stability Programme records strong improvement in public finances
12/05 11:09
Greek FM participating in the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers "Gymnich"
11/05 19:33
Rise in coronavirus infections and drop in flu cases in Greece
11/05 18:25
Diaspora Greeks abroad to cast their vote on Saturday, May 20
11/05 17:36
Greek PM champions vision for thriving cities: Trikala leading the way (video)
11/05 14:41
Ambassador to Athens: French and Greek defence industries must cooperate
11/05 00:05
Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady sets sail to Greek islands on maiden voyage
10/05 23:44
Applications for personal assistant program for the disabled now open in Greece
10/05 22:40
New app 'Cosmote Chronos' reanimates the Athens Acropolis before the viewer's eyes
10/05 22:13
UNWTO’S issues new assessment of Covid pandemic-related travel restrictions
10/05 19:30
Greece ranks 2nd globally after winning 2023 Blue Flag award for coasts and marinas
10/05 16:57
IATA: US passenger compensation rule will raise costs but not solve delays
10/05 14:53
Prices fell or stayed level for 95.69% of 'Household Basket' products in Greece
10/05 14:49
09/05 20:50
Mandatory training of police officers in animal rights begins in Greece on Wednesday
09/05 19:30
Consul General in New York organized event for Greek art collector
09/05 18:35
No tolls on Greek highways for private vehicles on election weekend May 20-22
09/05 18:25
09/05 14:17
Europe Day and European Year of Skills event organized in Athens on Tuesday
09/05 00:03
IATA: CNS Partnership Conference to focus on maintaining air cargo momentum
08/05 23:16
Greek and US military aircraft to fly over the Athens Acropolis on Tuesday
08/05 18:10
Greek National Tourism Organization wins award at 38th Seoul International Travel Fair
08/05 16:26
Greek State Minister signs cooperation agreement with French Transport Minister
08/05 14:18
International Defence Exhibition DEFEA 2023 opens in Athens on Tuesday noon
08/05 11:14
07/05 22:31
IATA statement on the end of COVID as an international public health emergency
07/05 21:38
Ecumenical Patriarchate Archons in Chicago organize 8th Annual Business Meeting
07/05 19:45
Elon Musk’s mother sees Greece’s rich potential for affluent tourists
07/05 16:34
Greek State Minister to receive French counterpart in Athens on Monday
07/05 15:41
Works unfolding anew at Greece's Elefsina shipyards to restore full capacity docking
06/05 23:49
Bank of Greece: Interest rate spread between deposits and loans up in March
05/05 22:09
US Ambassador to Athens visits American pavillion at Thessaloniki book fair
05/05 21:22
Bloomberg report: UK should follow Pope's example and return Parthenon Marbles
05/05 20:12
Leonidas AHEPA Chapter 77 organizes Annual Greek Night in New York
05/05 19:15
Exhibition showcases West Attica University student art work at Athens Airport
05/05 18:18
Greek poet Cavafy remembered through Onassis Foundation’s Archive of Desire
05/05 00:11
Lamda Development: Revenue from property in Ellinikon to surpass €500 million in 2023
04/05 21:09
Iconic Athens cinemas Astor and Ideal declared protected by environment ministry
04/05 20:20
Cat, dog owners now required to submit DNA sample of non-neutered pets in Greece
04/05 19:00
Restoration work approved for mausoleum on former royal estate of Tatoi near Athens
04/05 16:24
Ministers of Greece and Israel determined to further boost bilateral strategic relations
03/05 23:45
Greek Prime Minister: We want to radically reform the national health system
UNWTO identifies priorities for promoting rural tourim potential
Deadline to file taxes is extended in Greece to July 31 by Finance Ministry
Moody's forecast: New ND government in Greece will be 'credit positive'
Newton Shows and St. Paul Cathedral to jointly present Long Island Greek Festival
Reuters report: Greek bonds trading as though they already have investment grade
European Commission: Greece should continue implementing recovery plan consistently
Former Archbishop of America honored by National Kapodistrian University of Athens
New public art exhibit flutters into Greektown of Chicago on June 2
New ministers in caretaker government announced ahead of second elections in Greece
Greek professor wins WHO annual award for anti-smoking campaign efforts
Hike in coronavirus infections and flu cases with 52 deaths In Greece
Greek island of Rhodes seeking to attract tourists during winter also
UNWTO’S issues new assessment of Covid pandemic-related travel restrictions
Modern waste management unit to replace caldera dump in Santorini
Severe weather front to continue across Greece until Wednesday (video)
Greek Tourism Minister: Passenger location form to be abolished in Greece as of March 15
Greek capital of Athens among top-10 most beautiful cities for the second time
World Taste Atlas: Greek cuisine is the second best on the planet
Infrastructure works on Spinalonga island to assist visitors and protect the monument
Downtown Athens traffic restrictions imposed for Greek Independence Day parades
Greek Island of Milos presented by Louis Vuitton in new ad campaign
New app 'Cosmote Chronos' reanimates the Athens Acropolis before the viewer's eyes