Man invites friend to sleep on Airbnb floor for free, gets offended when he refuses to pay $70 afterwards: 'I shouldn't owe him a cent'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Feb 27, 2026 9:00 PM EST

Generosity is a key part of any good friendship.

While nobody wants to feel like they are being taken advantage of, most people want to have the kind of friendships that have a reasonable amount of give and take. Maybe you pay for coffee one time, and they do it another; somebody helps you move, and you buy them food in return. It is one of the main benefits of cultivating a friendship. 

Despite the fact that the majority will gladly accept a kind gesture, they are not always so willing to give one. It doesn't take much for this to cause an issue in their relationships of all types. Money is a common cause of arguments among friends, and at its worst, it can make them stop speaking to one another. Sometimes this is for perfectly valid reasons, when somebody is shirking their contribution to something that they promised to pay for. Other times, though, it is a transparent attempt to use a person for a few extra dollars. Unfortunately, there are individuals out there who see those they make friends with as an easy target to make a profit from, or at least fund a part of their lifestyle.

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  • A pair of legs in dark pants and socks rest on top of a comforter
    via Roberta Sant'Anna

    A pair of legs in dark pants and socks rest on top of a comforter

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • When one man decided to go to an event in another city with friends, he initially planned to take the train home afterwards, as he was trying to save money. The rest of the group was staying overnight in an Airbnb in the city.

    Once the event ended, the man was about to go home when his friends began convincing him to stay with them. The friend who booked the place told him that he could stay for free, and he ended up sleeping on the floor that night.

    A couple of days later, this friend started demanding payment. He refused, as he had been offered to stay for free, but he wasn't sure if he was being entitled.

  • Am I wrong for refusing to pay my share of the Airbnb after my friend offered to let me stay for free when I said I couldn’t afford it?

    Okay so there was a big event in the city which is a decent distance away (about 1.5 hours away by train) and 8 of us were planning to go, now one guy Dan suggested we book an Airbnb and split the cost 8 ways which basically cost about $70 each.
    via SupermarketFormal842
  • I've honestly been bad at saving my money and am trying to make an effort to spend less, so I told everyone upfront if you guys want to do the Airbnb, go for it.
    via SupermarketFormal842
  • I'll just take the train home after the event. Now after the event ended I start saying goodbye to everyone and tell them I'm heading to the train station.
    via SupermarketFormal842
  • Suddenly everyone starts trying to convince me to stay at the Airbnb. I firmly say no, because I'm trying to save money and that I'm going home.
    via SupermarketFormal842
  • Then Dan specifically tells me we've already ordered it anyway, just stay for free since we're going to pay regardless.
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  • I wasn't going to argue with a free place to chill at, so I said okay.
    via SupermarketFormal842
  • I ended up sleeping on the floor because there weren't enough beds but I made some dodgy sleeping bag out of blankets and pillows.
    via SupermarketFormal842
  • A couple days later Dan messages me asking where my $70 is for the night. I was pretty confused because I reminded him he literally said stay for free and that's why I stayed.
    via SupermarketFormal842
  • He said that he was just trying to be nice and was still expecting me to pay my share anyway.
    via SupermarketFormal842
  • I then just told him straight up I'm not paying anything. I would've taken the train home if I knew I had to pay, and he knew that because | said it multiple times before the trip.
    via SupermarketFormal842
  • Now he's calling me a cheap user saying I'm taking advantage of him, and that if I was a good friend I'd pay up because it's only fair.
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  • I feel like I shouldn't owe him a cent, he made the offer and if he didn't mean it, he shouldnt have said anything and also I slept on the floor.
    via SupermarketFormal842
  • so the air bnb obviously wasn't meant to include me anyway. I'm not trying to scam anyone.
    via SupermarketFormal842
  • I genuinely planned to go home by train and only stayed because he offered free. He's now acting like I'm an ale
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  • A young man wearing a backpack waits on a train platform
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A young man wearing a backpack waits on a train platform

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • lilolememe Please screen shot his messages requesting the money. Send it to the whole group, so they know he's requesting money from you. I bet they have no idea he's doing it. Tell them you only stayed because they said it would be free. You would have taken the train. In the future, you want to spend time. with them all, but you'll take the train back. Add, sorry for the inconvenience or misunderstanding. See where it rolls from there.
    via lilolememe
  • SupermarketFormal842 Original Poster's Reply Hahahaha that's a fantastic Idea I'll take a screenshot now and if this becomes a proper issue I'll get others involved
    via SupermarketFormal842
  • International-Fee255 NTA Dan's just trying to get you to pay his share. Maybe bring it up in the group chat: Sorry if my staying put extra financial stress on everyone. Dan has been asking me for the $70 but as I stated, I simply don't have it. I wasn't trying to take advantage of anyone as Dan has said, I simply stayed because he said I didn't have to pay. Next time I will make sure to take the train home instead of staying with you guys.
    via International-Fee255
  • thefanciestcat NTA >He said that he was just trying to be nice and was still expecting me to pay my share anyway. Dan isn't just TA. He's an A, a manipulator and a liar.
    via thefanciestcat
  • AlternativeSlide3779 Honestly, it sounds like Dan put you in an awkward position by insisting you'd stay for free but then expected payment later. If he really meant it, he should have never brought up the $70 afterward. It's frustrating when people do that. You were upfront about your plans, so it's not on you.
    via AlternativeSlide3779
  • babybug98 NTA. You told them upfront. They agreed to go forward and pay for it themselves. You were prepared to go home with the train, they insisted you come and not to worry about paying. Now they wanna ask for the money???? You slept on the floor... Lmao.
    via babybug98
  • Cyr2000 NTA on the principle but you should have seen it coming. Dan has no authority to invite you except if he was ok to cover your entire share. Which he obviously did not want to do. You should have ask to all the participants if they were ok to invite you.
    via Cyr2000
  • RocketteP NTA. His offer was for free. You didn't even have a bed. This is on him for trying to squeeze money out of you. It's an icky thing to do. He doesn't sound like much of a friend tbh.
    via RocketteP

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friendship event rental friends Airbnb Travel money entitled people
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