AIrbnb Host already try to cancel
Hii guys, so I just wanted some advice on what steps to take. Im going with a group of 7 friends to chella and we were booked an airbnb 10 mins away the day before tickets went on sale. It was expensive but still more reasonable then the other hotels. It got confirmed and we received the check in information/address. The day after tickets went on sale the Host messages us saying she no longer can take our reservation due to change in living circumstances and she said she believed her home was unlisted for those dates, in the same message she asked if we can cancel and we'd still get our full refund.
I remembered seeing stuff on here saying whatever you do dont cancel and make them cancel because I have a feeling she just wants to relist for more expensive, and if she cancels she has to pay a fee and those dates get blocked out?
We messaged her back and made something up about using a work stipend and if we cancel we'll lose our credits, so its better if she cancels. She replied saying she doesnt want to cancel bc she will be penalized and if we're sure we'll lose our credit. We havent responded but Im pretty set on not canceling on our end. I was thinking on responding asking if she wanted us to talk to support ourselves and try to get her penalty waved (obviously we know thats not gonna happen but I would like to see her reaction on us involving support) I just cant tell if she genuinely didnt know her home was listed or if shes trying to relist it for more money. I guess my question is what should we do? Should i already involve airbnb support. Should i wait it out and just tell her I cant cancel it and she needs to in hopes she just lets us keep the booking? is it possible shes being genuine?
I did look up her home on vrbo and saw it listed but it did say "property not available for those dates" So i cant tell if maybe someone booked through there or it automatically got removed bc we booked on airbnb. Idk but this sucks cause everything else in the area is now like $1500+ more.
Edit: I was never planning on cancelling my end, im wondering more so what next steps I should take. Should I wait it out? SHould I already contact support?