Yes, you can cancel an Airbnb reservation, but your refund depends on the host's cancellation policy and how far away your check-in date is
Airbnb lets you cancel most reservations through your account, and the host will see the cancellation right away. Whether you get money back—and how much—depends on three things: the cancellation policy the host set when they listed the property, the number of days between now and your check-in date, and whether the host has already accepted your booking. If you cancel within the host's grace period (usually 48 hours for most policies), you typically get a full refund. Cancel closer to your arrival date, and you may lose part or all of your payment.
The cancellation process takes less than a minute, and you will see exactly how much you are getting back before you confirm. Airbnb refunds go back to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days, though your bank may take another few days to post the money to your account.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel through the Airbnb app or website by going to your reservation and selecting the cancellation option, and the host is notified when ready.
- Your refund amount is determined by the host's cancellation policy—strict policies refund nothing if you cancel within 30 days of check-in, while flexible policies refund everything if you cancel within 48 hours.
- If the host has not yet accepted your booking, you can cancel anytime and receive a full refund, even if their policy is strict.
- Airbnb service fees are usually non-refundable, so your refund covers only the nightly rate and cleaning fee, not what you paid Airbnb to process the booking.
- If you believe the cancellation policy was not clearly shown or you have a safety concern, you can contact Airbnb support to request a refund exception.
How to cancel 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 tap or click on it. Scroll down until you see a button that says "Cancel reservation" (on the app) or "Cancel" (on the website). Tap or click it.
Airbnb will show you the cancellation policy for that listing and tell you exactly how much you will receive back. Read this carefully—it shows the host's name, the dates of your stay, the total amount you paid, and the refund amount. If the number is correct, confirm the cancellation. The host will see the cancellation in their messages within seconds, and you will receive a confirmation email.
Understanding the four cancellation policies and what each one means for your refund
Hosts choose one of four cancellation policies when they list their property. Each policy sets different rules for how much money you get back depending on when you cancel.
Flexible: You get a full refund if you cancel within 48 hours of booking, no matter when your check-in date is. After 48 hours, you lose 50 percent of the nightly rate for the first night, but the rest of your stay is refunded if you cancel more than 14 days before check-in. Cancel within 14 days of check-in and you lose the entire reservation cost.
Moderate: You get a full refund if you cancel more than 30 days before check-in. Cancel between 5 and 30 days before check-in and you lose 50 percent of the nightly rate for the first night. Cancel within 5 days of check-in and you lose the full amount.
Strict: You get a full refund only if you cancel more than 60 days before check-in. Cancel between 30 and 60 days before check-in and you lose 50 percent of the nightly rate for the first night. Cancel within 30 days of check-in and you lose everything.
Super Strict: You get a full refund only if you cancel more than 60 days before check-in. Cancel between 14 and 60 days before check-in and you lose 50 percent of the nightly rate for the first night. Cancel within 14 days of check-in and you lose the entire amount. Some hosts also offer a non-refundable discount, which means you paid less upfront but cannot get any money back if you cancel.
What happens if the host has not yet accepted your booking
When you first book an Airbnb, the host has up to 24 hours to accept or decline your reservation. During this time, you can cancel anytime and receive a full refund, regardless of the cancellation policy. Airbnb will refund your payment to the original payment method within 5 to 10 business days.
Once the host accepts the booking, the cancellation policy takes effect. At that point, your refund depends on how many days are left until check-in and the policy the host chose. If you are unsure whether the host has accepted yet, check your reservation details—it will say "Awaiting host response" if they have not accepted, or show the host's name and a confirmed check-in time if they have.
Airbnb service fees and what is not refundable
Airbnb charges a service fee on top of the nightly rate and cleaning fee. This fee covers payment processing, customer support, and the platform itself. Service fees are not refundable, even if you cancel within the grace period. Your refund covers only the nightly rate and cleaning fee, minus whatever the host's cancellation policy takes away.
For example, if you paid $500 for five nights, a $50 cleaning fee, and a $75 service fee (total $625), and you cancel within the flexible policy's 48-hour window, you get back $550. The $75 service fee stays with Airbnb. If the host's policy says you lose 50 percent of the first night, you would get back $500 minus $50 (half the first night) minus $75 (service fee), which is $375.
When to contact Airbnb support for a refund exception
Airbnb can override a cancellation policy and issue a refund in certain situations. Contact Airbnb support if you cancelled because of a safety concern—for example, you arrived and found the listing was not as described, or you felt unsafe in the neighborhood. You can also request an exception if you believe the cancellation policy was not clearly displayed when you booked, or if you cancelled because of a death in your family, a medical emergency, or a natural disaster that prevented you from traveling.
Go to the Airbnb website, click the question mark icon in the top right, and select "Contact us." Choose your reservation from the list and describe why you want a refund exception. Airbnb support will review your case within 24 to 48 hours. They cannot undo a cancellation, but they can issue a refund to your original payment method if they approve your request. Keep any documentation you have—a hospital bill, a death certificate, a weather alert, or screenshots of the listing as it appeared when you booked.
What to do if you want to cancel but keep your reservation
If you want to keep your reservation but change your dates, message the host directly through Airbnb. Explain that you need to shift your check-in and check-out dates and ask if they have availability for the new dates. Some hosts will let you move your reservation to different dates without cancelling, which means you keep your payment and avoid the cancellation policy altogether. This only works if the host agrees and the new dates are open on their calendar.
If the host declines or the new dates are not available, you will need to cancel the original reservation and book a new one. In that case, you will face the cancellation policy on the first reservation, and you will pay the full price (including service fees) for the new reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get my refund after I cancel?
Airbnb processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days to your original payment method. If you paid with a credit card, your bank may take another 1 to 3 business days to post the refund to your account. Contact your bank if you do not see the refund after 10 business days.
Can I cancel if the host has already checked me in?
Yes, but you will lose your entire payment. Once you have checked in, Airbnb treats the stay as in progress, and the host's cancellation policy no longer applies. If you need to leave early, contact the host directly to discuss a partial refund—they can issue one through Airbnb if they agree.
What if I cancel and then want to rebook the same property?
You can rebook anytime, but you will pay the full price again, including service fees. The host may have already accepted another booking for those dates, so the property might not be available. Check the calendar before you cancel if you think you might want to rebook.
Do I lose my refund if I cancel because of bad weather?
Bad weather alone is not grounds for a refund exception. However, if a natural disaster (hurricane, flood, wildfire) makes travel impossible or unsafe, Airbnb may issue a refund. Contact support with proof—an evacuation order, a closed airport, or a weather alert—and explain why you cannot travel.
Can the host cancel my reservation and keep my money?
No. If the host cancels, you receive a full refund regardless of their cancellation policy. Airbnb also gives you a credit for one month of free Airbnb Plus membership as compensation for the inconvenience.