> Since the host is the one who was requesting that cancellation, I'd be curious what would have happened if the author replied with "You can cancel the reserva

> Since the host is the one who was requesting that cancellation, I'd be curious what would have happened if the author replied with "You can cancel the reservation if you can't fulfill it, not a problem". Airbnb punishes host when they cancel both financially and through "the algorithm" that determines placement in search results. Also the host could have allowed the booking and have Airbnb cancel it when an unregistered guest arrived, or not allowed them into the property (they had no legal right to occupy the premises).