Host gave written refund promise — then denied it when money was involved
I contacted the host within 24 hours of booking to cancel, and received an email stating I was eligible for a full refund and should request it through Airbnb. I followed those instructions exactly — submitted the refund request within the timeframe — but the host did not approve it, despite their earlier confirmation.
After that, communication stopped. Phone calls went unanswered (unless you speak French), and emails were ignored. The initial reply was fast and polite — but once a refund became involved, the host changed their story and now claims no refund is possible. They’ve aligned with Airbnb and completely disregarded their previous written communication.
I feel misled. Had the host not promised a refund, I would have handled things differently. Instead, I relied on their instructions and ended up losing my money.
Guests should be cautious and not rely on what this host promises via email — you may not get what they say you will.