Couple spends over $10,000 on Airbnb that didn't exist
A British couple intending to take a vacation in Ibiza, Spain realized that they had been scammed out of thousands of dollars when they arrived at their supposed Airbnb's address to find that it did not exist.
Ian and Denise Feltham had reserved a "VIP penthouse" in the Spanish holiday destination that promised features like a Turkish bath and a private elevator -- and paid almost $12,000 for it.
According to Fox News, the couple claimed that the listing they reserved had multiple positive reviews on Airbnb's site, and that communication -- at least in the beginning -- was normal. They grew anxious as their reservation grew closer and the host became unresponsive, but Airbnb wouldn't refund their money unless the couple showed up and the listing did not exist.
Sure enough, when the Feltham's arrived at the building where the "VIP penthouse" was supposed to be, it wasn't there. Mr. Feltham said he spoke to a neighbor who said that it had been a recurring problem. The couple had no other choice other than to find a hotel that would accommodate both them and their pet, and ended up spending about $250 extra per night for a hotel that was 40 minutes away from town.
In a statement to The Sun, Airbnb said that its handling of the situation "fell below [its] usual high standards" and that it had reached out to the Feltham's to apologize and issue a full refund.
The homeshare company said that it has suspended the fraudulent listing and continues to investigate the situation.
If you're thinking about an Airbnb (that actually exists) for your next vacation, make sure to use the best travel rewards credit card to book.
For more Airbnb resources, check out:
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.