Airbnb customer service has basically always been terrible in cases like this. Some years back I had a host that simply stopped responding a few days before the

Airbnb customer service has basically always been terrible in cases like this. Some years back I had a host that simply stopped responding a few days before the reservation, and Airbnb would not allow it to be cancelled and refunded until check-in time had passed, despite it being obvious to them that the host had flaked. They have no way to meaningfully compel the host to actually provide the booked stay, nor are they likely to have any meaningful "spare" listings to put you in instead. There is always a significant risk that you'll show up and your reservation has been de facto cancelled by the host leaving you to scramble to find a day-of hotel booking. I've had some good Airbnb stays, but I'd never book one without a backup plan (and if you can't have a backup plan, book a hotel instead).