Airbnb has announced that it will pay its hosts 25% of what they would normally receive if a guest cancels a reservation due to COVID-19.
In an e-mail sent to Airbnb hosts, Airbnb co-founder, CEO and head of community Brian Chesky said, "When a guest cancels an accommodation reservation due to a COVID-19-related circumstance, with a 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."
Superhost Relief Fund
Airbnb is also creating a $10 million superhost relief fund.
Chesky stated, "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 [fellow Airbnb co-founder] Joe [Gebbia], Nate [Blecharczyk] 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."
COVID-19 Stimulus Bill
Chesky added, "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 e-mails 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 programmes to deliver demand to help rebuild your business."
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