Airbnb fined millions in Australia for currency misrepresentation

Wednesday, 25 Dec, 2023 0

Airbnb has been hit with a A$30 million penalty for misleading Australian customers over the currency it charged.

The vacation rentals platform has been ordered to pay A$15 million for not making clear that some bookings were not in Australian dollars.

Additionally, it must compensate thousands of Australian customers in refunds and conversion fees.

This is expected to cost the company another A$15 million

Between January 2018 and August 2021, Airbnb displayed the prices using a “$” sign but did not make it clear rates were in US and not Australian dollars.

It is thought to have impacted over 60,000 Airbnb customers.

Airbnb admitted it violated Australian consumer law by doing this.

The case was brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)

Over 2,000 customers made a complaint about being charged in US dollars.

Airbnb blamed a software error.

“Eligible consumers will be contacted by Airbnb within the next 45 days and invited to lodge a claim, but they can also contact Airbnb to ask about their claim if they think they are eligible,” said ACCC chair, Gina Cass-Gottlieb.

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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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