Yes, you can cancel most Airbnb bookings, but your refund depends on the cancellation policy attached to your reservation
You can cancel an Airbnb booking at any time through the Airbnb app or website. Whether you get money back depends on three things: which cancellation policy the host set, how many days before check-in you cancel, and whether Airbnb's extenuating circumstances policy applies to your situation. Most hosts offer one of four standard policies — Flexible, Moderate, Strict, or Super Strict — each with different refund windows. If you cancel within the host's refund period, you receive a full refund minus Airbnb's service fee. If you cancel after that window closes, you typically lose your payment.
The cancellation policy is set by the host and appears in your reservation details before and after you book. You cannot change it after booking, but you can message the host to ask if they would consider adjusting it — some hosts will. Once you understand which policy applies to your reservation, you will know exactly how much you can recover if you need to cancel.
Key Takeaways
- Your refund amount is determined by the host's cancellation policy, which you can see before you book and in your reservation details after booking.
- Flexible policies refund your full amount if you cancel up to one day before check-in; Moderate policies give full refunds up to five days before; Strict policies only refund if you cancel 30 days ahead.
- You cancel through the Airbnb app or website by opening your reservation and selecting the cancellation option — the refund timeline appears before you confirm.
- If you face a serious emergency like illness, job loss, or a natural disaster, Airbnb's extenuating circumstances policy may allow a refund even after the cancellation window closes.
- Airbnb's service fee is non-refundable regardless of when you cancel, so your refund is always less than your original payment.
The four standard cancellation policies and what each one refunds
Flexible is the most guest-friendly. You get a full refund if you cancel up to one day before check-in. After that, you lose everything except the service fee refund (which Airbnb does not give back). This policy is less common because hosts earn less if a booking falls through at the last minute.
Moderate is the most common. You get a full refund if you cancel up to five days before check-in. Between five days and one day before, you lose 50 percent of the nightly rate. After check-in begins, you lose everything. This policy balances host protection with guest flexibility.
Strict gives you a full refund only if you cancel 30 days or more before check-in. Between 30 and 14 days before, you lose 50 percent. Between 14 days and check-in, you lose everything. Hosts choose this when they want strong protection against last-minute cancellations.
Super Strict is the harshest. You get a full refund only if you cancel 60 days before check-in. Between 60 and 30 days before, you lose 50 percent. After 30 days before check-in, you lose everything. Some hosts use this for peak seasons or high-demand properties.
How to cancel your booking through the Airbnb app or website
Open the Airbnb app or go to airbnb.com and sign into your account. Tap or click "Trips" at the bottom of the app or in the top menu on the website. Find the reservation you want to cancel and open it. Scroll down and tap or click "Cancel reservation." Airbnb will show you the cancellation policy for that booking and tell you exactly how much you will receive back. Review this amount — it includes the refund minus the service fee — and then confirm the cancellation.
Once you confirm, the cancellation is when ready. Airbnb sends you a confirmation email with the refund amount and the expected date the money will return to your original payment method. Refunds typically arrive within five to ten business days, though it can take longer depending on your bank or payment provider. You can track the refund status in your Trips section under the reservation details.
When Airbnb may refund you outside the cancellation policy
Airbnb has an extenuating circumstances policy that can override the host's cancellation policy in serious situations. If you face a major emergency — such as a death in your family, a serious illness or injury, a natural disaster affecting your home, job loss, or a government-mandated travel ban — you can request a refund even after the cancellation window closes.
To request an extenuating circumstances refund, cancel the booking first, then contact Airbnb Support through the app or website. Go to the Help Center, select your reservation, and choose "Something else." Explain your situation and provide supporting documentation if you have it — a death certificate, hospital records, a disaster declaration, or a termination letter. Airbnb reviews each request individually and decides whether to grant a refund. There is no may provide, but the policy exists specifically for situations where canceling was genuinely beyond your control.
What happens to your service fee when you cancel
Airbnb's service fee is never refunded, regardless of when you cancel or why. This fee is typically 14 to 16 percent of the nightly rate and covers Airbnb's payment processing, customer support, and platform maintenance. When you see your refund amount after canceling, it already excludes this fee.
For example, if you booked a $100 per night stay for two nights with a $30 service fee (total $230), and you cancel within the Flexible policy window, you receive $200 back — the nightly rate minus the service fee. The $30 goes to Airbnb and does not return to you. This is true even if you cancel far in advance or may have access to for an extenuating circumstances refund.
How to check the cancellation policy before you book
Before you complete a booking, scroll down on the listing page to the "Cancellation policy" section. It will show you the policy name (Flexible, Moderate, Strict, or Super Strict) and a breakdown of refund percentages at different time windows. This is the only place to see the exact policy before you commit, so read it carefully if cancellation flexibility matters to you.
You can also see the cancellation policy in your reservation details after you book. Open your Trips, select the reservation, and scroll to "Cancellation policy." If you are unsure whether a policy will work for your plans, message the host before booking to ask whether they would consider a different policy — some hosts will adjust for guests who ask politely.
What to do if the host cancels instead of you
If the host cancels your reservation, you are always refunded in full, including the service fee. Airbnb also offers you a credit for the full booking amount that you can use toward another reservation within one year, or you can request a refund to your original payment method instead. Host cancellations are rare, but when they happen, you are protected.
If the host cancels close to your check-in date, Airbnb may also offer you a discount code or travel credit as a gesture of goodwill, though this is not may provide. You will receive notification of the cancellation and your refund options through email and in the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel an Airbnb booking the day before check-in?
It depends on the cancellation policy. With a Flexible policy, yes — you get a full refund if you cancel up to one day before. With Moderate, you lose 50 percent. With Strict or Super Strict, you lose everything. Check your reservation details to see which policy applies to your booking.
Do I lose money if I cancel more than 30 days before check-in?
Not necessarily. Most policies offer full refunds if you cancel far enough in advance. Flexible and Moderate policies refund fully if you cancel 1 and 5 days before, respectively. Strict refunds fully if you cancel 30 days before. Super Strict requires 60 days. The further ahead you cancel, the more likely you are to get your full payment back.
What if I cancel but the host refuses to accept it?
The host cannot refuse a cancellation. Once you cancel through the Airbnb app or website, it is final. The host has no say in whether the cancellation goes through. Your refund is processed according to the cancellation policy, and the host cannot override it.
How long does it take to get my refund after I cancel?
Airbnb processes refunds within five to ten business days, but the exact timeline depends on your bank or payment provider. Some banks take an additional few days to deposit the money into your account. You will receive a confirmation email when ready after you cancel that shows the expected refund date.
Can I get a refund if I just change my mind about the trip?
Only if you cancel within your host's refund window. Changing your mind is not an emergency, so the extenuating circumstances policy does not explore. If you are outside the refund window, you lose your payment. This is why checking the cancellation policy before you book matters.