Airbnb has updated its "extenuating circumstances" policy globally, ensuring all guests are refunded for their reservations amid the sweeping coronavirus pandemic. The problem? The refunds come from the hosts, not Airbnb.

This may have been a boon for guests unsure of what to do about their vacations in the wake of the novel coronavirus – but it doesn't account for Airbnb hosts struggling to make ends meet. The announcement came shortly after the company expanded its policy to all of the U.S.

William Fuller, owner of Summit County Mountain Retreats, a midsize property management company in Colorado says the company is mistakenly taking credit for being the hero.

"If Airbnb truly believed in this change of policy and wants to help out all the folks in the world, that is fine, but they need to do it with their money, not other people's money," Fuller told USA TODAY.

Fuller says it's false to think this is all about giving guests their money back and taking it from wealthy property owners who can afford it. "Will I personally be OK? Probably yes. Will my staff of 100 people who are mostly working-class folks be OK, maybe, but if they are, it will be because of decisions and sacrifices by me and my family made in spite of the Airbnb theft," Fuller said.

The travel industry has suffered greatly in the wake of the crisis, as airlines have cut flights, cruises have suspended sailings and hotels and resorts have shuttered to stem the spread of the pandemic. But Airbnb gives hosts flexibility to set their own rules. Until, well, they don't.

Airbnb's policy, last updated, March 14, says that hosts and guests can cancel reservations with no charge or penalty across the world. "This policy now applies to existing reservations for stays and Airbnb Experiences made on or before March 14, 2020, with check-in dates between March 14, 2020, and April 14, 2020."

The company acknowledged the problem hosts face.

"We will be working in the days and weeks ahead to identify tools and initiatives to support our hosts during these very challenging times," the announcement reads. "Many of us are hosts ourselves and we understand this is a difficult time. We have worked to find a balance between supporting hosts and protecting the well-being of our community and we will find additional ways to help our hosts. It’s also important to note that Airbnb will not collect any fees or benefit in any way from any reservations canceled under this policy. We’re in this together."

But hosts don't see Airbnb going far enough. "Last time I checked what humans are supposed to do when other humans are suffering or in trouble is to help, not kick them while they are down," Fuller said of Airbnb.

"We want to thank all of those hosts around the world who have generously provided guests cancellations outside of their existing cancellation policies," the announcement also says.

Kim McDuffie of Dallas, saw cancellations at her properties in Florida, especially in the wake of Disney World shutting down. She manages four Florida homes on Airbnb.

"We are nice owners; we refunded all our guests and waived fees," 45-year-old McDuffie told USA TODAY last week ahead of the policy change. "Not all owners are so kind."

Travelers have been expressing concern about their Airbnb bookings as the coronavirus pandemic has spread around the world.

Still, Michael Skiles, the CEO and co-founder of HostGPO Inc., which represents thousands of vacation rental operators, called Airbnb's decision to fully refund guests "a disaster" for hosts.

"Spring is when many hosts count on earning enough to support themselves through slower months, but now we have hosts who are reporting huge losses of up to 80% of their monthly revenue and who are struggling to keep their homes," Skiles told USA TODAY. "Many have started to lay off employees and cleaning teams with no other options."

"Since Airbnb has given away so much of hosts' money without their consent and hosts are struggling, I hope they'll do something substantial to share in the costs that, so far, hosts have borne alone," Skiles says. "At the very least, they should have a moratorium on the host service fees they charge for non-canceled bookings so that hosts can make up a small fraction of lost revenue."

Airbnb spokesman Ben Breit referred USA TODAY to another company announcement, which says the company is waiving its standard 3% host fee on new reservations through June 1. "We will also provide promotions that increase visibility for these listings to drive new bookings," the announcement says.