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Airbnb rival Sonder files for bankruptcy, giving guests minutes or hours to vacate. What to do it this happens to you
Yahoo Finance· 2025-12-02 11:00
Core Viewpoint - Sonder, a competitor to Airbnb, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, leading to immediate operational halts and significant disruptions for its short-term rental guests [1][4]. Group 1: Bankruptcy Announcement and Immediate Impact - The announcement of Sonder's bankruptcy resulted in guests being given as little as 15 minutes to vacate their rooms, with most receiving only a day's notice [1]. - The abrupt termination of Sonder's operations has caused a significant uproar on social media, with many affected travelers sharing their negative experiences [2]. Group 2: Customer Experience and Legal Recourse - Guests reported a lack of support from Marriott, Sonder's licensing partner, who initially promised full refunds but later instructed customers to contact their credit card companies for refunds [6][7]. - Affected travelers expressed frustration over the lack of compensation and support during a critical time, highlighting the potential dangers of being displaced unexpectedly [3]. Group 3: Reasons Behind Bankruptcy - Sonder's interim CEO, Janice Sears, cited technical integration issues with Marriott's Bonvoy website as a major factor leading to unexpected costs and a sharp decline in revenue, ultimately resulting in the decision to liquidate [4].