Just like Uber, Airbnb has become an innovative way for everyday people to create a stream of income while giving travelers like myself a place to stay. On the app, Airbnb allows the user to put in a city and/or country, date to check in and out and a search will begin of all the available homes during that time period. The app allows the user to filter the price range, entire place, private room or a shared room. The app also allows the user to decide what amenities s/he prefers. On paper and app, it is a great idea.I started using Airbnb in 2015 and much to my surprise, I preferred it over staying in a hotel. I honestly enjoyed the privacy that a home gave me. Weirdly, I hate when the cleaners come in everyday in my hotel room because I can never find things after. I also enjoyed the idea that I could possibly cook my own meals. I love going out to restaurants but I also enjoy waking up at 9am cooking breakfast, catching the itis and going back to bed after. The prices of Airbnb were more reasonable and did not fluctuate because of a holiday or special occasion. So after my great experience in 2015, I started using Airbnb to book places to stay when I traveled instead of hotel.In 2016, I booked a condo through Airbnb in Los Angeles. The condo had good reviews but also had a couple automatic reviews that read "This host cancelled reservation within 48 hours." I didn't think much of it. I communicated with my host, just as Airbnb suggest to let him know what time my flight arrived, I even asked him if I could check-in earlier, which he had agreed.As I am boarding my flight, I receive an email that my host cancelled my reservation. As I am almost losing my mind, Airbnb representative calls. They notified me that they were aware my host just cancelled my reservation and would accommodate in any way possible. Initially, they of course wanted me to stay in the price range of $500 (the amount I paid to stay in LA for 4 days). I could not find a place in that price range and sit them a place that I would be the most comfortable staying in which was $1000. Airbnb paid the difference to the host. I was elated and felt great about how Airbnb conduct business.2018. I am booking a place again for Los Angeles. As usual, I stalk Airbnb app everyday for about a week until I found a place that I felt comfortable staying in and a location that was central to activities. The condo was located in Downtown LA, which was perfect for me. I requested the place and the host accepted my request. A week prior to my departure, I receive an email from Airbnb with a request from the host to increase the price of my stay. The initial rate I paid was $80 a night and now she wanted to increase it to $120 a night.    I couldn't believe what I was reading. The host would be allowed to ask to increase the price of my stay although I already paid? That did not make sense.Of course I declined the request and a few moments later, she cancelled my reservation with an excuse that something came up with her son.A WEEK BEFORE I AM SUPPOSE TO LAND IN LOS ANGELES, MY HOST CANCELS. Distraught is an understatement. More than distraught, I quickly learned that the caring Airbnb that I once knew had changed. They only gave me $75 credit to find a new place and did not seem to have sympathy or understand the time it took to actually find the "perfect" place where I would feel the most comfortable.    Seemingly, Airbnb protects the hosts more than it does the customers.I understand that the host is charged a $100 fee if they cancel a week prior to the reservation but that penalty does not serve justice to customers like myself who take their time to find a place just for a host to cancel because they want to insert a different price.I believe that my host realized that the BET Awards was during the same weekend I requested and wanted to increase her price because of the special event. For a customer like myself, allowing the host to cancel just to increase her price is unfair and biased.Airbnb policies regarding cancellations and increasing of prices should be adjusted to provide a better service to the customer instead of protecting the host. A host should not be allowed to cancel within a week unless there are extenuating circumstances, especially when they already accepted your initial request.  

Before you rent an Airbnb:

1. Read ALL the reviews. Most people will be brutally honest about their stay. If the host tend to cancel frequently, I would think twice about booking that place. If there are no reviews, I would think twice about booking the place.

2. Make sure the neighborhood is a safe neighborhood. Ask the host about the neighborhood or Google.

3. Have a list of 3 possible homes in case one reservation is cancelled or the host deny your request.

4. If you really like a place that is out of your price range, reach out to the host and ask if they could accommodate your price range. The hosts are allowed to change their prices.

If your reservation is cancelled:

1. Immediately call Airbnb and ask them to help you book another place.

2. Request a credit that would help you find a suitable place.