Airbnb sells gift cards, but they work differently than you might expect

Airbnb does offer gift cards, sold through their own website and through third-party retailers like Amazon, Target, and Costco. However, they function as account credit rather than traditional certificates — the recipient must have an Airbnb account to use them, and the credit expires after one year of inactivity on that account. The card itself does not expire; only unused credit disappears if the account sits dormant for 12 months.

You can buy Airbnb gift cards in denominations ranging from $25 to $500 on Airbnb.com, or in preset amounts at physical retailers. The card comes as a code that the recipient enters into their account settings under "Payments" and then "Gift Cards and Coupons." Once redeemed, the credit appears as a balance available for booking.

Key Takeaways

  • Airbnb gift cards are sold in $25 to $500 amounts on Airbnb.com and at retailers including Amazon, Target, and Costco.
  • The recipient must have an active Airbnb account to redeem and use the credit.
  • Credit expires 12 months after the last account activity, not from the date of purchase.
  • Gift cards can be used for nightly rates, service fees, and cleaning fees, but not for experiences, restaurant reservations, or other Airbnb services outside lodging.
  • You can email a digital gift card code directly to the recipient, or print a physical card for in-person gifting.

Where to buy Airbnb gift cards and what they cost

Airbnb.com is the primary source and offers the most flexibility. You choose the amount between $25 and $500, decide whether to send it digitally or print it, and can customize a message. Digital codes arrive by email within minutes; printed cards take longer to ship depending on your location.

Third-party retailers stock preset denominations. Target carries $25, $50, and $100 cards in the gift card section. Amazon sells digital codes in the same amounts. Costco typically stocks $50 and $100 cards, though availability varies by warehouse location. Walmart and Best Buy also carry Airbnb gift cards in limited denominations. Buying from a retailer means you pay the face value with no markup, but you lose the option to customize the amount or message.

How the recipient redeems the code

The recipient needs an Airbnb account before they can use the gift card. If they do not have one, they must sign up at Airbnb.com or through the mobile app first — the process takes a few minutes and requires an email address and password.

Once logged in, they go to their account menu, select "Payments," then "Gift Cards and Coupons," and paste the code into the field provided. The credit appears when ready in their account balance. They can then use it toward any booking on Airbnb's lodging platform — the credit applies to the nightly rate, service fees, and cleaning fees combined.

What the credit can and cannot cover

Airbnb gift card credit covers the total cost of a stay: the nightly rate, Airbnb's service fee, and the host's cleaning fee. If a booking costs $300 total and the recipient has a $200 gift card, they pay the remaining $100 out of pocket using another payment method.

The credit does not work for Airbnb Experiences (guided tours and activities), restaurant reservations through Airbnb, or any service outside the core lodging booking. If the recipient wants to book an experience and a stay together, the gift card credit applies only to the lodging portion.

Expiration and what happens to unused credit

The gift card code itself does not expire, but the credit in the account does. If the recipient's account has no activity for 12 consecutive months, any remaining balance disappears. Activity means logging in, making a booking, or updating account information — even a small action resets the clock.

This is different from many gift cards that expire on a printed date. The 12-month timer is tied to account use, not calendar time. If the recipient books a stay 11 months after redeeming the card, the balance is safe and the timer resets. If they do nothing for a year, the credit is forfeited.

Refunds and lost or stolen codes

Airbnb does not refund gift card credit once it has been redeemed into an account. If the recipient changes their mind about a booking, they can cancel and the credit returns to their account balance — but they cannot convert it back to cash or a new gift card code.

If a gift card code is lost or stolen before redemption, contact Airbnb support with proof of purchase (a receipt or order confirmation). Airbnb may reissue the code, but this depends on how the card was purchased and whether you can verify ownership. Digital codes sent by email are easier to track than physical cards. If you bought the card at a retailer and lost the receipt, recovery is unlikely.

Digital versus physical gift cards

Digital gift cards are sent by email and arrive within minutes. You can schedule the delivery for a future date, add a custom message, and include a photo. This option works well for last-minute gifts or when you want to reach someone remotely.

Physical printed cards come in a branded envelope and take 1 to 2 weeks to arrive depending on shipping speed. They feel more substantial as a gift and work well for birthdays or holidays when you want something tangible to unwrap. The code is printed on the card itself, so the recipient does not need to check email to find it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an Airbnb gift card to pay for part of a booking?

Yes. If your gift card balance is less than the total booking cost, the credit covers what it can and you pay the remainder with a debit card, credit card, or other payment method on file. Airbnb applies the gift card balance first, then charges the difference to your other payment method.

What if the recipient already has a balance in their Airbnb account?

The gift card credit stacks on top of any existing balance. If they have $50 already saved and redeem a $100 gift card, their account balance becomes $150. All of it can be used toward bookings in the same way.

Can I buy a gift card for someone who does not live in my country?

Yes, but the currency matters. Airbnb gift cards are sold in the currency of the country where you purchase them. If you buy a card in US dollars and send it to someone in Europe, they can redeem it, but their account will show the balance in US dollars and they will see prices converted to their local currency at Airbnb's exchange rate when they book.

Is there a way to extend the 12-month expiration if the account goes inactive?

No. The only way to preserve the credit is to use the account — log in, make a booking, or update a profile setting. Even a single login resets the 12-month timer. If you are gifting to someone who may not travel soon, remind them to log in once a year to keep the balance active.

Can I return a physical gift card I bought at a store?

That depends on the retailer's return policy, not Airbnb's. Target, Costco, and Amazon have different rules for gift card returns. Most retailers allow returns within 30 days if the card has not been redeemed, but you will receive a refund to your original payment method, not a replacement card. Check the retailer's website for their specific policy.