Airbnb Offers Refunds For Vacation Rentals In Wildfire-Affected Areas

• Airbnb offers refunds for bookings in wildfire-affected areas.

• Ana Mostarac's viral post prompts Airbnb to change cancellation policy.

• Concerns about traveling in Southern California lead to refund offer.

The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

AP

Customers who booked vacation rentals through Airbnb in areas experiencing wildfires or utilities outages are eligible to cancel for a refund, the company announced on Wednesday. This decision came after a customer's social media post went viral, highlighting Airbnb's initial refusal to cancel a booking in the Los Angeles area.

The customer, Ana Mostarac, expressed concerns about traveling in Southern California despite her rental being located away from the danger zone. Following the backlash, Airbnb has since offered Mostarac a full refund, acknowledging the challenges she faced.

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Ana Mostarac's viral post prompts Airbnb to change cancellation policy.

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Airbnb offers refunds for bookings in wildfire-affected areas.

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Concerns about traveling in Southern California lead to refund offer.

While Mostarac did not provide further comments, her post gained significant attention online. In response to the ongoing wildfires, Airbnb also revealed plans to provide free temporary housing for those displaced by the natural disasters.