Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Airbnb Will Allow Coronavirus-Related Cancellations In America Without Penalty

By

Sophia Chang

Published Mar 13, 2020

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

The logo of Airbnb, which has announced bookings in America can be cancelled without penalty as COVID-19 cases spread through the country.

 

Valentin Wolf / imageBROKER/Shutterstock

By

Sophia Chang

Published Mar 13, 2020

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Airbnb announced Friday that American bookings can be cancelled without penalty to either guests or hosts.

The company had faced increasing criticism that as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads in the states, customers who wanted to cancel bookings were receiving less than full refunds.

America is now on the Airbnb list of countries with "extenuating circumstances" to allow reservations to be cancelled without charge. The other countries on the list are mainland China, South Korea and Italy.

The new policy only applies to reservations booked on or before March 13th with check-in dates of April 1st or earlier, the company said.

The company is also recognizing that with President Donald Trump's new ban on travel by non-citizens from all countries in Europe except for the U.K. and Ireland, many travel plans are in flux. The company is waiving fees for changing reservations for these reasons:

For travelers who were going to travel from America to the affected European countries, Airbnb will waive cancellation fees for reservations made on or before March 11th for travel between March 13th to April 13th. 

"We will continue to assess the situation and will provide further information as matters progress. We strongly advise all travelers to carefully review and select appropriate cancellation policies according to personal needs and the outlook on COVID-19," the company said on its website.

Tagged

COVID-19

airbnb

Sophia Chang

Sophia Chang is a former WNYC and Gothamist reporter.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE news

Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says

The mayor said his administration would review ICE and NYPD actions surrounding Thursday’s shooting.

By

Michael Sol Warren

Published Oct 11, 2026

NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday

NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.

By

Giulia Heyward

News

NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday

NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.

By

Giulia Heyward

For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters

By

Mike Hayes

2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say

By

Brittany Kriegstein

and

Ann Givens

Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.

By

Brittany Kriegstein

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .