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Airbnb Cancels Some Japan Reservations, Offers Solution to Those Abandoned

June 07, 2018
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3 min read
airbnb-japan
Airbnb Cancels Some Japan Reservations, Offers Solution to Those Abandoned
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Earlier this week, Airbnb abruptly pulled 80% of its listings in Japan off its website. The country is about to implement a new homesharing law that requires government permission to list an apartment or room on a homesharing site. After the government said that it would be implementing the regulations sooner than expected, on June 15, Airbnb proactively took down listings that didn't have proper documentation.

But this also left the many travelers in the wind. What would happen to those who'd booked an Airbnb that vanished?

Airbnb was silent for a few days but has now announced a program to support travelers who were affected by the new law.

Any reservation for stays beginning from June 15 through June 19 has been canceled, as required by Japanese Tourism Agency regulations. For reservations from June 20 onward, if a listing has not been licensed within 10 days of guest arrival, the reservation will be canceled. Airbnb is supporting hosts by offering them legal and monetary support to help speed up the permitting process, hopefully leading to less reservations being nixed.

Airbnb has crafted a Japan Travel Response Plan to aid affected travelers who might have been affected by the new law. The plan, which seems pretty generous, includes:

  • A $10 million fund to cover "reasonable additional expenses" for guests who might have to secure new accommodations or shell out for flight change fees.
  • For any reservation canceled after June 15 because the host lacked the proper license, Airbnb will provide a full refund and Airbnb credit worth at least 100% of the booking value to use for a future trip. Guests will also receive a $100 coupon for an Airbnb Experience. So if you spent $1,000 on an Airbnb, you'd get your money back plus a $1,000 Airbnb gift card.
  • If travelers can't find worthy replacement accommodations on Airbnb, the company will connect them with a Japanese travel agency to find a new place to stay.
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Although it's unlikely that credit card trip insurance could come into play here because travel arrangements that have been canceled or changed by a common carrier usually aren't covered, it still may be worth contacting your bank's trip insurance provider to see if they can provide any compensation. Other third party trip insurance could help, too, depending on the policy you chose.

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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