A Guest Threatened a Bad Review to Get a Discount — What to Do
A guest threatening a bad review to extract a discount, refund, or upgrade is committing extortion under Airbnb's Reviews Policy. If the threat is in your Airbnb message thread, screenshot it and file a removal request — on-platform messages are the strongest possible evidence.
This is one of the strongest grounds — if you can prove it
Airbnb explicitly bans using reviews as leverage. The entire case rests on documentation:
- In the Airbnb message system → very strong; it's on Airbnb's own platform.
- In text/WhatsApp → usable, screenshot it, but weaker than on-platform.
- Verbal only → very hard to win; the threat can't be shown.
How to act
- 1Screenshot the message where the review is tied to the demand — name and date visible.
- 2File a removal request citing extortion under the Reviews Policy.
- 3Quote the threat verbatim and attach the screenshot. Escalate if the first agent declines.
Check your review in ~30 seconds — free
Paste the review. We'll tell you honestly whether Airbnb's policy makes it removable — and give you the exact words if it is. No login, no account access.
Check my review — freeFrequently asked questions
They hinted at it rather than saying it outright. Enough?
A clear written implication can still work — "it'd be a shame if my review reflected this." The more explicit the link between the demand and the review, the better your odds. Submit it and let Airbnb assess.
I already gave the discount. Can I still report it?
Yes. Giving in doesn't erase the extortion. If the threat is documented, you can still request removal of the review and report the guest's conduct.
The threat was before the stay, not after. Does timing matter?
No — a threat made before, during, or after the stay all count as using the review for leverage. What matters is that it's tied to a demand and documented.
Sources
This guide reflects Airbnb's own published policies. Verify against the primary source, as Airbnb can update its policy: