We’ve been using Airbnb’s services for years during our trips across Europe, mainly in France. We were pretty happy with it, but we’d never needed to contact them (we only booked with Superhosts) before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
Airbnb introduced a "Force Majeure and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Policy." This policy states (the BOLD is mine) "Bookings for Airbnb stays and experiences made on or before March 14, 2020, with a check-in date between March 14, 2020, and June 15, 2020, may be canceled before the check-in date. As a result, travelers who cancel in accordance with our Policy will receive, at their discretion, a travel credit or a full refund. Hosts can cancel in accordance with our Policy without fees or impact on their Superhost status, and Airbnb will issue a refund or travel credit for an amount including all service fees."
Since we complied with their policy, we were able to get refunds for 4 out of 5 bookings—MINUS the service fees, which they credited back to us with a useless expiration date of December 30, 2020, knowing full well we won’t be able to travel this year. :-(
However... NOWHERE in this policy do they mention that these cancellation terms are tied to the listing’s cancellation policy at the time of booking. They only refer to the "Force Majeure and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Policy." So for the 5th booking, since we only had 48 hours to cancel without fees, they’re "offering" us... $11.23 back on a $349.19 deposit! Of course, we also have the "option" to accept a credit for the full amount... to be used by December 30, 2021 (oh, that’s *so* much better, right?). Except, how is it fair that WE are penalized because not only are we under travel restrictions, but the HOSTS of this booking CAN’T HOST US?
We’ll have to go along with their bad faith (those 2020 expiration dates), and hosts who work with Airbnb should expect to lose customers they might’ve seen again once travel resumes... but they can forget about us—that’s for sure.
Bookings made before March 14, for arrival dates between March 14 and June 20, are supposedly fully refundable according to their Policy—but none of the 5 I checked actually qualify.
Did they meet the conditions?
Because based on the refunds offered, it looks more like a standard, run-of-the-mill refund...
Yep, all our bookings met those date conditions, which is why we're so outraged. We realized that Airbnb, contrary to what we thought, wasn't a reliable booking site when we saw all the negative reviews on Trust Pilot since the start of the pandemic. And we found out there are travelers who’ve been scammed in an even more shameless way!
Indeed, the only difference from a standard refund is that we had the option of either losing our money (the original cancellation terms were 48 hours) or accepting a credit note with an expiry date in December 2021, even though at the time of our booking, our country was preventing us from traveling to France AND France wasn’t accepting international travelers. Our other four bookings were refunded EXCEPT for Airbnb’s service fees, for which they issued us a credit expiring on December 30, 2020 (yes, you read that right).
Everyone loses out in this poor management by Airbnb because this is the 5th consecutive year we’ve visited different regions of France, bringing capital to the regions, supporting small businesses and local village restaurants. The more travelers refuse to use Airbnb (and we’re not the only ones, judging by the comments on Trust Pilot), the higher our travel accommodation budget will be, and the less often we’ll be able to afford to travel in Europe since the exchange rate is already very high for us Canadians.
Anyway, there will always be sharks... but we can decide not to be on their menu!
A friend who booked before March 14th for 4 days in Brittany got 50% of her rental back. It was her first time using Airbnb, and it’ll be her last.
Personally, I’ve never favored these platforms—they’ve long since strayed from their original values of solidarity. In Bordeaux, families in need and students on tight budgets can no longer find housing in the city center. All the apartments have been bought up by owners to turn a profit. We’re far from the original idea.
An update on the situation: we managed to get our booking CANCELLED by the host (not by Airbnb, who weren’t responding to our email).
Our first request to the host to cancel our booking was refused, but a few days later I wrote to them again, and it seems my arguments were more persuasive because they then agreed to cancel. It’s worth noting that these weren’t private individuals but a rental company acting as the host in this case. I’ve never had any issues with hosts who were private individuals. Unfortunately, you don’t know at the time of booking whether you’re dealing with a management firm handling multiple rentals or private individuals—and that’s a real shame because, for all sorts of good reasons, the latter are definitely preferable.
We’ve been using Airbnb’s services for our trips across Europe, mainly in France, for several years now. We were pretty happy with them, but we’d never needed to contact them before (we only booked with Superhosts) until the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
Airbnb introduced a Policy for Force Majeure and Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. This policy states (the BOLD is mine) "Bookings for Airbnb homes and experiences made on or before March 14, 2020, with a check-in date between March 14, 2020, and June 15, 2020, can be canceled before the check-in date. As a result, travelers who cancel in accordance with our Policy will receive, at their discretion, a travel credit or a full refund. Hosts can cancel in accordance with our Policy without fees or impact on their Superhost status, and Airbnb will issue a refund or a travel credit for an amount including all service fees."
Since we complied with their policy, we were able to get refunds for the deposits on 4 out of our 5 bookings MINUS the service fees, which they credited to us with a flimsy expiration date of December 30, 2020, knowing full well we wouldn’t be able to travel this year. :-(
However... NOWHERE in this policy do they mention that these cancellation terms are tied to the booking’s original cancellation policy. They only refer to the Policy for Force Majeure and Coronavirus (COVID-19). So for the 5th booking, since we only had 48 hours to cancel without fees, they’re "offering" us... $11.23 back on a $349.19 deposit! Of course, we also have the "option" to accept a credit for the full amount... to be used by December 30, 2021 (oh, that’s better, right?). Except, how do they explain that WE are penalized because not only are we under travel restrictions, but the HOSTS for this booking CAN’T HOST US?
We’ll have to go along with their bad faith (the 2020 expiration dates), and hosts who work with Airbnb should expect to lose clients they might’ve seen again once travel resumes... but they can forget about us, that’s for sure.
Hi Johanne,
For other reasons, we’re done with Airbnb and other competitors like VRBO! Why? They all claim our money is protected, but when you actually need them to step in, they wash their hands of it.
We’d rented an apartment for almost an entire winter trip, and it turned out the place was disgusting—bugs, dirt, etc. The owner acted like nothing was wrong and even got aggressive, saying we were being too difficult.
We called VRBO to find out they don’t help at all! It’s understandable—they’re "caught between a rock and a hard place," on one side the unhappy customer, and on the other, the host who pays them a fee to list their place. They just suggest trying to work it out. But how do you do that with an owner who’s convinced everything’s perfect?
We’d paid nearly 4000 €!!! In reality, companies like Airbnb only guarantee deposit money against fraud—for example, if your bank account gets hacked during a booking or deposit transaction. They never refund you if you’re unsatisfied for a major reason.
I wasn’t the first guest at this apartment—digging deeper, I found another customer from Montreal who’d left a super negative review and complained about the same things: dirt, bugs, etc. Same story for them—they never got a refund, with Airbnb just saying they don’t handle that kind of dispute.
These companies don’t refund you if, for example, the listing says there’s an appliance X, Y, or Z, a pool, an air conditioner, etc., but it turns out that equipment doesn’t exist! So the door’s wide open for fake photos and misrepresentation. After the fact, the owner can claim their AC system just had a recent issue, but who’s telling the truth?...
We had to turn to VISA, who took legal action against VRBO for us. We obviously won—with photos and proof, they saw the owner wasn’t managing their property and that the apartment didn’t match the photos.
The worst part? They let me leave a review to warn others. VRBO posted it, but afterward, the owner decided to pull their listing from that platform entirely and put it somewhere else! So my review doesn’t show up anywhere now, but their dishonest listing keeps circulating on other platforms!!!
Don’t kid yourself—these companies are on the side of the listers, meaning the property owners!
Hi there, and thanks for your comment—it really sheds light on how vulnerable we are to these rental platforms. Right now, we’re trying to find places in Quebec to book Airbnbs for 2-3 days at a time just to "use up" the credits Airbnb forced us to accept (a total of $325) instead of refunding the service fees, even though it’s because of the pandemic. With an expiration date of December 30, 2020, we’ve got to move fast 😩😩
Hi there, and thanks for your comment—it really sheds light on how vulnerable we are to these rental platforms. Right now, we're trying to find places in Quebec to book Airbnbs for 2-3 days just to "use up" the credits Airbnb forced us to accept (total of $325) instead of refunding the service fees, even though it was due to the pandemic. With an expiration date of December 30, 2020, we’ve got to act fast 😩😩
I hate this kind of "refund"—it’s not really a refund at all because it forces us to make plans we wouldn’t have chosen otherwise!
Good luck finding something you like.
I’m reaching out because I think you all know way more about this than I do... I’m completely lost and really need some help, please.
I booked and paid for a January 30, 2020 rental for a month and a half, starting December 1, 2020 in Chiang Mai, Thailand (which is closed due to Covid-19).
Since I had no idea what would happen in December, I waited to see if my flight would still be on.
This morning, Qatar Airways canceled my flight.
I went to the Airbnb site to cancel my booking and saw that since my check-in date is after August 15, I only get 7 € back 🏴☠️🏴☠️.
What’s going on?? This is a force majeure situation! What are my options?
Thanks in advance to anyone who knows Airbnb well—I’ve been using this platform for years, but I’m really shocked this time.
Did you get it back, your deposit?
I lost a day and a half of rental out of a month on Agoda.
In fact, whenever possible, I only choose bookings that can be canceled.
I left my heart’s country eight days ago and returned to my adopted one—or was it the other way around? Scotland-Morvan, Morvan-Scotland, I’m not quite sure anymore.
After a quarter without dragging my slippers around here, even though I’d loudly declared I had no interest left in this site, here I am again!
My imagination never stays fallow for long. Just enough time for my inner land to rest. It gets overgrown with fresh nettles, the kind you can pick without getting stung. Then, it’s time to till the fragrant earth and let the story grow.
I hesitated over where to set this story.
Maybe the Highlands, maybe the Hebrides, maybe the Orkney Islands, maybe the Shetland Islands. All of Scotland is myth—easy to embroider.
But in the end, no. I’d almost be too afraid to bare my soul.
The story will take place at home. Simple, practical.
1)
This morning, I was up well before dawn, feeling a bit grumpy, but nothing a bowl of coffee won’t fix. I love my bowl, and no one dares take it. It’s porcelain, edged with intertwined blue flowers. On the bottom, it says "Revol." The factory has existed long before the Revolution. It was my great-grandmother’s bowl. She drank roasted barley from it during the war, then her Leroux chicory.
Last year, a little guy dropped it. My bowl broke into three pieces. A black anger vibrated deep inside me. The little boy was so upset, on the verge of tears. How could I scold him!
I picked up the three pieces and took Little Boy in my arms. His hair smelled of the light, sweet sweat of toddlers. A gentle hug that healed—his budding sorrow and my anger—everything vanished, and time carried on.
Today, my bowl is even prettier. Man fixed it using the traditional kintsugi technique, except he didn’t use gold powder or lacquer but superglue, and he delicately painted the cracks with woad blue. And my bowl is even more beautiful now.
I’m lingering, I can tell—it’s just that a story wraps itself in life, and life can’t be told in the snap of a finger. Life is long. Like in architecture, you start with a rough sketch, called a "sous-cul" (the initial pencil drawing), then you make a tracing, which is the work itself, the one you later carefully roll up in a wooden tube.
Life is like that: you erase, you start over, you use the nub of the pencil until it’s tiny, but you keep going—dreaming, loving.
"Living is a full-time occupation, a unique adventure. Always a surprise and a wonder, which sometimes turns into astonishment. And, from time to time, happiness."*
Alright, enough digressing—this introduction is definitely too long.
Tomorrow, I’ll get to the heart of the matter.
(I hate that expression; it feels like I’m cutting into someone’s skin.)
I’d love to share some ideas for exploring beautiful Sri Lanka—a destination that offers an incredible variety of landscapes and experiences.
From tropical beaches and elephant safaris to tea plantations, lush mountains, ancient temples, and nature hikes, there’s so much to discover on this island.
For those planning a trip to Sri Lanka, which regions did you love the most? Any tips on safaris, hikes, private transport, or multi-day tours?
Looking forward to swapping tips and discovering Sri Lanka with you!
Hello everyone!
As part of my MBA in Wine & Spirits at the Académie des Vins in Alsace, I’m conducting a study on the evolution of enotourism in France.
The goal is to better understand what attracts visitors, their habits, and their expectations when exploring our wine regions.
Whether you're a wine lover, a travel enthusiast, or just curious, your input matters. (Even if you’ve never visited a wine estate, you can take part!)
Anonymous survey / 4 to 5 minutes
To complete the survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-loQM0O6NWvXRd6J1XrFXLBNbXHTcR5UT1JTFUnX4aeFK0w/viewform?usp=header
A huge thank you for your participation and for any shares! This will really help me with my study.
Note: No advertising, promotions, product sales, or service offers are included
2.16.1.2
Hi, we're planning a month-long trip to Vietnam and we've received a quote from a local agency (AGENDA TOUR VIETNAM CO.LTD). Does anyone know this agency and can tell us about it?
Many of us have noticed that bugs have been making it difficult to navigate the forum lately.
I’ll let Kate and Ticapi explain the issue:
I went to your profile to check out the Thailand travel journal, and when I clicked on it, it brought me back here again. All week, I’ve been dealing with bugs like this—it’s really discouraging from continuing on VF.🙁
I had the same thing happen, and multiple times. For me, it was Montagnard’s latest journal that kept coming up no matter which discussion I clicked on.
I panicked a bit about this during my last trip. My phone said it was connected to the network but had no data. Turns out the issue was with the APN—I had copied an APN code from a Vietnamese operator I found on a forum, thinking it would help, but it actually broke my connection on a travel eSIM. I removed it, reset to default, and it worked right away.
Also, FYI: it’s normal for a travel eSIM not to activate until you’ve landed and turned airplane mode back off. Don’t panic and delete the profile before landing—it’s not broken.
In November-December, we’re planning a 6-week road trip in Morocco, spending two-thirds of the time south of the High Atlas and away from cities. We’ll be staying in gîtes, kasbahs, riads, and the like—no big hotels. Usually, we stay 1–2 nights in the same place.
Six weeks means we’ll need to do laundry at some point, so here’s our question: Can we generally count on finding a washing machine/dryer in these accommodations? Or should we look for a laundromat or *lavandería* (are there any?)?
Worst case, we’ll hand-wash with a tube of detergent, but we’d rather avoid that if possible…
If you’ve got experience with how laundry works in the area, we’d love your tips!
Thanks everyone! !
I’m planning a 3-week trip to Japan in May with Voyage Privé. The package includes a 5 GB eSIM, but my phone isn’t new enough to support it. VP told me I could buy a SIM card when I arrive at the airport.
Sure enough, I’ve seen online that this is possible with different providers.
I only need it for checking routes, looking up addresses, train schedules, etc.—basically using Google Maps, TripAdvisor, and similar apps. No heavy downloads or major internet use. All hotels should provide free Wi-Fi for that, right?
Has anyone got any tips for me on this? What have you tried, and how much did it cost?
Thanks for your help!
Hi, I'm Pierre and I've just finished a Master's in Earth and Environmental Sciences. But I don't feel like jumping straight into working life (permanent contract, big company, and all that comes with it...) and I'd love to travel for several months. It was a gap year during my first year of my Master's with a 6-month Working Holiday Visa (solo) in New Zealand that gave me a taste for travel and adventure.
This time, I'd like to make this project happen not alone but with my girlfriend, who's finishing her studies next September.
I have a lot of questions about returning to work after this and the famous "gap" in my CV. If this project goes ahead, I'd be applying for jobs about 1.5–2 years after getting my degree. In the meantime, I'd like to apply for short-term contracts in my field to gain some experience, but the opportunities are very limited, if not non-existent, with a Master's degree...
Personally, I'm convinced that these travel experiences are a plus, but I'm less sure about how recruiters see it...
I feel a bit lost between my deep desires and the reality of the job market.
If anyone has any feedback or a similar experience, I'd love to hear it! :)
In 1985, the film "Out of Africa" was released, which inspired me to visit Kenya for the first time a year later.
My passion for animals in their wild and natural habitat, and thus for safaris, was born while watching this film and appreciating Robert REDFORD’s acting.
Of course, the film’s director and Meryl STREEP also contributed greatly to this wonderful movie.....
In a way, I owe him this passion, and I thank him for it.
Sometimes, during safaris, when we had our breakfasts in the middle of nature, in one reserve or another in Kenya or Tanzania, I often thought of him.
May he rest in peace, far from our world of madness.
Thank you for EVERYTHING, Mr. REDFORD.
( In three weeks in Kenya, I think I’ll often be thinking of him....... )
Hello
In some Polish cities, seniors benefit from free public transport. My question is: does this also apply to EU foreigners? On paper, yes, but I know some travelers have run into unsympathetic inspectors in the past who refused to grant this discount to non-Polish people. That said, these situations are a few years old now. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Traveling by plane between Southern Corsica and Paris? Whether it's a one-time trip or regularly, accompany one of our kittens during the journey to their forever home. The repatriation of our rescued street kittens is made possible thanks to travelers like you. No worries: you'll be guided every step of the way to complete this mission.
The in-cabin pet ticket is covered by our association, and reimbursement for expenses is possible (depending on the kitten's drop-off location, so let's discuss this beforehand).
Available and motivated to make this one-way trip with a cat and change their life?
Contact us before your next trip: https://assopacci.com/contact/
Hi everyone, fellow travelers!
I’m looking for anyone who’s in Kyoto or planning to visit Nishiki Market! Here’s the thing: during our trip there in April, we discovered a jewelry artisan (highly recommended!) on the left when exiting through the west exit of Nishiki Market (which is a long covered east-west street). I bought a piece of jewelry for my daughter there, but she lost it. I’d love to buy her another one! In the photo, it’s the shop with the yellow awning to the right of the restaurant with the blue awning, "Sushi Sakai." Would any kind soul be willing to get the shop’s name, email, or phone number for me? Despite my Google/AI searches, it’s nowhere to be found. A thousand thanks to whoever can help me out! Wishing you all great vacations!
Sabrina
Hello everyone! 🙂🙂,
A BIG thank you to all the travelers who sent us postcards this year—my students are becoming real geography whizzes!!!!!!!! I’m renewing my call for your kindness this year! We’re also working on food, so if your postcards can make our mouths water with local dishes, traditional meals, or typical recipes, that’d be amazing!!
Here’s a quick recap of the project:
I’m reaching out to all travelers and globetrotters on this forum. I’m a teacher in Creuse, working in a ULIS program (which welcomes children aged 6 to 12 with disabilities into a mainstream school). This year, I’m starting a school journal project that will involve the kids in many different topics. A big part of the journal will focus on opening up to the world, diversity, travel, countries, culture...
I’m launching a call to invite as many of you as possible to send us a little postcard (from France or anywhere in the world!) to take us on a journey and help us discover new places, countries, and horizons—much more fun and exciting than a regular geography textbook! One section of our journal could be called "We received mail from " and would be an opportunity to research that location and share what we learn with our readers (a super enriching activity in class).
The project starts in September 2025 but has no real end date, as this journal and world discovery initiative will span several school years (the kids stay in my ULIS program for multiple years). Postcards can be sent anytime—throughout the year, across seasons, even during holidays! (The kids will find them when they return.)
I hope this idea appeals to as many of you as possible and that you’ll spread the word to your fellow traveler friends. Make us dream, take us on a journey!!!
For those who’d like to write to us in a language other than French, no problem—quite the opposite!!
Thank you in advance for your participation(s)! Below is our address. Feel free to leave your own address on a corner of the postcard if you’d like us to write back! 😊
The ULIS program students
Bonnat Elementary School
12 rue Georges Sand
23220 BONNAT
Thank you, and see you soon, I hope! 😁
Julien
BOLIVIA: THE COUNTRY ON THE BRINK (What's Really Happening)
A dramatic saga is unfolding before our eyes in the Andes. Between suffocating blockades, clashes, an international airlift, and historic political decisions, Bolivia has just experienced 48 hours of rare intensity.
Here’s the full breakdown (economic, social, and political) of the last 48 hours:
For travelers and tourists: the article also includes an important note about the upcoming publication (starting tomorrow) of the precise status of roadblocks, route by route.
I’ll post the full update here on Voyage Forum!
Don’t miss this in-depth analysis. History is being written before our eyes! https://www.petitherge.com/bolivie-paralysie-et-ultimatum
I just discovered a great show on Arte.
It's called "7 en route": seven young European journalists travel around Europe in a fully converted bus, making reports on every city they visit. It's amazing! 🙂
Yesterday, for example, they were in Rome, Italy, and the reports included things like the world's smallest restaurant—a super romantic spot for two. There was also a report on the king of paparazzi in Italy.
They have to pick topics that let us discover the little quirks of each country. And at the end of each episode, we get to see the finished report.
It's such a great show, mixing journalism, travel, and discovery—basically, a must-watch!
It airs in the evening starting at 6:50 PM (I think), and it started this past Monday, July 14th.
If you watch it, let me know—we can chat about it!
I’m Yann, a 28-year-old TikToker who loves traveling!
Since I’ve been to several destinations, I’d love to get a flag from each one as a sort of trophy. But from what I’ve seen online, a lot of sites sell them with what looks like really poor quality...
So I’m reaching out to you all to share a site you usually use—help me start my collection! :)
hi there
I’d love to get some opinions—I’ve never used Airbnb before.
They’re offering a key handover via lockbox.
Any tips or advice?
Is it reliable?
Best,
Hi there, I’m Laura, and I’m looking for a few people to answer some questions so I can understand your travel wishes and challenges. It won’t take long—I can chat here, by email, or by phone. Don’t worry, I’m not selling anything! 😊
On this forum, we talk a lot about trekking in the Himalayas, but I’d love to share another side of Nepal: its spiritual, cultural, and religious atmosphere, especially in Kathmandu.
Nepal, much like Tibet and Bhutan, is deeply connected to the Himalayas—the ultimate sacred mountain range. This small country exudes a calming vibe, shaped by a strong spiritual dimension. What I loved most was the unique sensory experience you get there. Walking around temples and tantric monasteries, a distinct scent fills the air—aromatic plants used for ritual fumigation. Locals mainly burn Himalayan juniper, cedar, sandalwood, and other local essences. This fragrant smoke is a way to purify the space and reach the deities, and you’re constantly enveloped in these aromas.
Another striking aspect is the sound. As soon as you step outside, you hear bells ringing in front of temples. People ring them three times before praying to announce their presence to the deities. Nepal is also the birthplace of singing bowls and sound meditation practices. In Kathmandu, you can easily find meditation sessions or "sound baths."
The spiritual dimension is everywhere: a Hindu sadhu practicing asceticism, a lama in deep red robes with his mala, turning a prayer wheel while murmuring "Om mani padme hum." Newar Buddhism, Tantrism, and Hinduism coexist harmoniously in daily life.
For those who love exploring a destination through its culture and spirituality, Nepal is an unforgettable place. What was your spiritual experience in Nepal like?
Hi,
I’m landing in Quebec and then heading to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I’d like to rent a pick-up. My question is: does this vehicle come with a cover and is it secure enough to store luggage in? I’ve heard two conflicting opinions. Thanks
I just installed the Maps.Me app on my phone. I only recently found out about this app. I’m traveling in 2 weeks and a few days, and I’m a bit stuck on how to use it.
I’m from the Montreal (Quebec) area, and I’d love to know if there’s a kind soul out there who could help me get started and use the app at least minimally.
If there are private lessons available, I’d be interested in those too.
Like many others, I’m overjoyed to hear that VoyageForum is reopening! I’ve been waiting hopefully for this, and it’s wonderful that it’s finally happening!
I just couldn’t bring myself to actively participate in other French-language travel forums—their format and way of doing things never appealed to me as much. I really hope that VF’s structure, categories, and interface won’t change too much despite the handover, because I’m very attached to them. Through thick and thin, the site has held strong—it’s amazing!
In a previous message, François mentioned that there were positions to fill ahead of the reopening, including moderators...
I’ve been eagerly waiting for this and hoping to send in my CV.
Now, after reading the latest message, it seems like the team is already fully formed. But are there still a few spots left to fill?
I’ve been a VF member for 20 years (since 2004). I’d love to contribute to this wonderful adventure as a moderator if VF would trust me with the role. If the team is open to reviewing it, I’m ready to send my CV. Could you let me know the next steps?