Comment by greggman | Hacker News Reader

Comment by greggman | Hacker News Reader

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I used "Contact Host" and was still booked. Steps

    1) Enter dates
    2) Pick Place
    3) Pick "Contact Host"
    4) Host says place is as available
    5) Get message from AirBnB saying I've been approved by host
    6) Get message from AirBnB saying host has charged my card

At no time did I pick "Request a Booking". I thought it would stop at #5 and I'd have to then login to AirBnB to finalize the details but no, the host was able to do that without me even though I never picked "Request a Booking"

This isn't the expected behaviour because step 5 would mean that the host had sent you a Pre-Approval - this usually requires you to take action to confirm the booking and reach step 6.

(source: I'm both a host and traveller on Airbnb)

Between 4/5 the host pre-approves you for booking (without you requesting to book) that should be the case.

Have been using AirBnB for stays since 2012 and hosting since 2014. Never had an un-requested booking.

+ Host does not have a way to charge you

I've used AirBnB 18 times in the last 2.5 years. It happened. Give me your credit card. I'll go through the process and see if I can get you booked. I'll video all of it.

Or if you're from AirBnB, give me a fake account and all make it happen again. If you think this is how it works I'm telling you there's a bug in your system

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