Whether you get your money back depends entirely on the cancellation policy attached to the listing you booked, and how far in advance you cancel.
Before the deadline
If you cancel before the deadline in the policy, you receive the refund it specifies. For most listings that is a full refund. Some policies specify a partial refund, for example 50% within a certain window, in which case that portion is what you get back.
After the deadline
The booking is non-refundable. The host keeps the payout.
This can feel harsh, and it is worth understanding why it works this way. Hosts in Siargao commonly turn away other guests for your dates and incur preparation costs. A cancellation the night before often means the booking cannot be refilled at all.
No-shows
Not arriving, without cancelling, is treated as a cancellation after the deadline. No refund is issued.
Where to check your policy
- On the listing page before you book
- At checkout
- In your booking details and confirmation email
If you are not sure which policy applies to a booking you have already made, open the booking details. The policy shown there is the one Koobo will apply.
Exceptions
Host cancels. If the host cancels, you receive a full refund regardless of the policy, and we will try to help you find an alternative.
Force majeure. Genuinely extraordinary events beyond your control, such as a super typhoon grounding flights or a government travel ban, may qualify for a refund outside the policy. These are assessed case by case and you will need to provide evidence. Foreseeable or personal circumstances, such as a change of mind, a scheduling clash or a mild illness, do not qualify.
Worth considering
Travel insurance covers the situations these policies do not. If your trip depends on flights in typhoon season, it is worth having.