Airbnb Guest Damage, Weak Payouts, and OTA Claims: How to Actually Get Paid When They Trash Your Place

In this episode of Vacation Rentals with John, we dive deep into one of the most frustrating parts of running a short-term rental business: getting paid for guest damages.

We’re talking about AirCover, Booking.com, and VRBO — the platforms that promise protection but often leave you covering the bill. I break down:

• Why your payout is often only 20–50% of the actual damage
• Why cleaning fees, unauthorized pet charges, and late checkout penalties rarely get covered
• What documentation you must collect (and when)
• The real story of a guest swapping out TVs and STILL not getting reimbursed
• Step-by-step action plan to protect your profit when the platforms fail you