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AIRBNB

Editorial cartoon showing a frantic red-haired person with hands raised in shock at a desk, screaming at a laptop displaying the message "Your Airbnb account has been deleted," illustrating the panic of losing access to a booking platform with no explanation

Airbnb froze my account and kept my $1,000. Can you help?

May 1, 2026April 29, 2026 by Christopher Elliott

Daria Popova booked an Airbnb stay in Ireland from her home in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, an area near the front line but firmly under Ukrainian control. After Airbnb asked her to confirm her address, the platform permanently disabled her account, citing community standards violations she denies. Airbnb cancelled her booking but kept her $1,000 payment. Her formal appeals with full documentation including proof of residence received only automated responses refusing to restore the account or issue a refund. Some international services wrongly mark Ukrainian regions as disputed, creating discriminatory outcomes for residents.

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
Man standing in front of an empty lot in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Airbnb charged me for a nonexistent Beverly Hills rental. Where’s my refund?

April 22, 2026April 15, 2026 by Christopher Elliott

William Marell books an apartment in Beverly Hills through Airbnb and quickly discovers the address doesn’t exist. Then Airbnb hits his card with another $7,080, cancels his account, and leaves him chasing case numbers and closed tickets.

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
If you're planning to book a vacation rental this spring break, you might be in for a surprise. Local governments have spent the long winter plotting a new regulatory course, and the result is a wave of laws taking effect that could leave you stranded or, at the very least, paying a lot more.

CONSUMER ALERT: Your vacation rental is changing this spring. Here’s what you need to know.

March 3, 2026March 1, 2026 by Christopher Elliott

If you’re planning to book a vacation rental this spring break, you might be in for a surprise. Local governments have spent the long winter plotting a new regulatory course, and the result is a wave of laws taking effect that could leave you stranded or, at the very least, paying a lot more.

Categories Consumer Alert, Popular
After Airbnb bans Kevin Donovan for life, he tries to find out why. But Airbnb won't tell him. Will it tell this consumer advocate?

Help! Airbnb banned me for life — but won’t say why

May 1, 2026November 12, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

After Airbnb bans Kevin Donovan for life, he tries to find out why. But Airbnb won’t tell him. Will it tell this consumer advocate?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
Locked out of their Airbnb during a rainstorm, guests were billed $385 for the faulty keypad. Airbnb sided with the host, refusing to drop the unfair charge.

Locked out and charged $385 for getting into my Airbnb — is that fair?

May 11, 2026November 5, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

A couple faces a $385 charge after an Airbnb keypad fails during a rainstorm. The locksmith blames the weather, but Airbnb sides with the host. When weather wreaks havoc, should guests foot the bill?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
Guest shocked by buggy Airbnb finds her negative review deleted! Did the host manipulate the system? Learn about Airbnb review fairness.

Airbnb exterminated my review of a buggy apartment. Is that allowed?

November 24, 2025August 11, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

When Tawnia Wise checked into her Airbnb rental in Austin recently, she was shocked by what she found: a bug-infested property that was far from the squeaky-clean apartment she thought she’d booked. 

Categories Advocacy
Someone is already occupying Elizabeth Kimpel's Vrbo vacation rental. Why won't the company refund her stay?

There’s another guest in our vacation rental! Can we get a refund, please?

March 11, 2025February 26, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Someone is already occupying Elizabeth Kimpel’s Vrbo vacation rental. Why won’t the company refund her stay?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
Can Airbnb cancel a booking at 4 a.m., lock your account and keep your money? That's what Nancy Kankindi wants to know after the vacation rental platform showed her the door without explanation.

Airbnb canceled my booking, locked my account — and kept my money!

February 19, 2025February 10, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Can Airbnb cancel a booking at 4 a.m., lock your account and keep your money? That’s what Nancy Kankindi wants to know after the vacation rental platform showed her the door without explanation.

Categories Advocacy
Rahama Wright thought her Airbnb allowed kids. She thought wrong.

Does Airbnb allow kids? Here’s how one guest got kicked out of her apartment 

August 7, 2025January 6, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Does Airbnb allow kids? Some do, but some don’t, as one of our readers found out. Will her host keep all of her money?

Categories Advocacy
Robert Harris checks into an Airbnb in a high-crime neighborhood. Can Airbnb deny his refund request?

Airbnb refund denied: But it’s in a bad neighborhood!

November 20, 2025December 4, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Robert Harris checks into an Airbnb in a high-crime neighborhood. Can Airbnb deny his refund request?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
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