Airbnb will pay $6 million in double ticketing settlement; some customers get credit – Ladysmith Chronicle
Have you tried booking a vacation rental on Airbnb and noticed that the final price was higher than advertised? If so, you may be eligible for business credit.
Since 2017, Airbnb has faced a class action lawsuit from Arthur Lin, of Vancouver, alleging the company was guilty of double ticketing. Double ticketing involves showing a shopper two different price levels, but charging them the higher price at checkout. The practice violates Canada’s Competition Act.
Lin made her claims after trying to book a vacation rental for the listed price of $108 per night. After booking, Lin found that the price had jumped to $122 due to the service charge.
Typically, dual ticketing applies to prices displayed in retail stores where a lower price is displayed on a product, in company-promoted sales materials, or on an in-store or point-of-sale display.
A judge had ruled on Lin’s case saying that double ticketing laws should also cover the online world. Airbnb appealed the decision.
The suit was later colonized for $6 million and a separate settlement in Quebec was reached for $3 million. Airbnb has no liability to admit.
Reservations through the popular rental service now display the all-inclusive price excluding applicable taxes at every step of the search and reservation process. This was not required as part of the settlement, but was instead done on the company’s own initiative.
Canadian residents outside Quebec who booked an Airbnb between October 31, 2015 and June 25, 2019 may be eligible for a $45 credit. Those residing in Quebec will need to go through a separate settlement process.
Class members will be contacted by email to access the claim and verify their eligibility. The deadline to make a claim is March 28, 2022 and the credits are refundable within 24 months. Claims will be administered by the accounting firm Deloitte.
The credit will automatically be used on future bookings through Airbnb.
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