You can cancel an Airbnb booking, but what you get back depends on the cancellation policy attached to that listing and how close you are to your check-in date.
When you cancel, Airbnb refunds you according to the host's stated policy—not Airbnb's policy, but the specific one that listing had when you booked. Some hosts offer full refunds up to 14 days before arrival. Others offer partial refunds. Some offer nothing back at all if you cancel within a certain window. The policy you agreed to is shown on your confirmation email and in your booking details.
The cancellation itself takes seconds: you log into your account, find the booking, and click "Cancel reservation." Airbnb processes the refund to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days, though the time varies by your bank. If the host has already accepted payment, the refund comes from them, not from Airbnb.
Key Takeaways
- Cancellation policies are set by individual hosts, not by Airbnb, so the amount you get back depends entirely on which policy was attached to your booking.
- You cancel through your Airbnb account by finding the booking and selecting "Cancel reservation"—no phone call or email to the host is required.
- Refunds go back to the payment method you used to book, and arrive within 5 to 10 business days depending on your bank.
- If you cancel within the host's non-refundable window, you lose your money; if you cancel before that window closes, you get back what the policy promises.
- Hosts can also cancel on you, and Airbnb has different rules for host cancellations than for guest cancellations.
The Five Cancellation Policies and What Each One Means
Airbnb offers hosts five standard cancellation policies to choose from. Each one sets a important date: cancel before that date, and you get a refund; cancel after it, and you don't. The five are Flexible, Moderate, Firm, Strict, and Super Strict.
Flexible lets you cancel up to 1 day before check-in and get your full refund back. Moderate gives you a full refund if you cancel up to 5 days before arrival, then 50% back if you cancel between 5 days and 1 day before, then nothing if you cancel within 1 day. Firm offers a full refund up to 30 days before, 50% back between 30 and 14 days before, and nothing within 14 days. Strict gives you 50% back if you cancel up to 60 days before arrival, and nothing after that. Super Strict offers no refund at all, no matter when you cancel.
Some hosts also use a custom policy that they write themselves. Custom policies can be more generous or stricter than the standard five. Check your confirmation email or your booking details page to see which policy applies to your reservation.
How to Cancel Your Booking Step by Step
Open the Airbnb app or website and sign into your account. Tap or click on the menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, your profile picture on desktop) and select "Trips" or "Reservations." Find the booking you want to cancel and open it.
Look for a button or link that says "Cancel reservation." Click it. Airbnb will show you the cancellation policy for that listing and tell you exactly how much you will get back. Review that amount, then confirm the cancellation. You will receive a confirmation email within minutes.
Do not contact the host to ask permission to cancel—you do not need it. You have the right to cancel any booking at any time. The host's policy determines your refund, not their willingness to let you go.
When Your Refund Arrives and Where It Goes
Airbnb sends the refund to the payment method you used to book—usually a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. The refund does not go to your Airbnb wallet or account credit; it goes back to the card or account itself.
The refund takes 5 to 10 business days to appear, but the actual time depends on your bank or payment provider, not on Airbnb. Some banks post refunds in 2 or 3 days; others take the full 10. If you do not see the refund after 10 business days, contact your bank to ask whether it has arrived on their end but not posted to your account yet.
If you paid with a debit card and the refund does not arrive within 10 business days, contact Airbnb support through the app or website. They can check whether the refund was sent and, if it was, provide you with a transaction reference number to give your bank.
What Happens If the Host Cancels on You
If a host cancels your reservation, the rules are different. Airbnb considers a host cancellation a breach of the booking agreement, and you get a full refund plus a credit toward a future booking. The credit amount varies—sometimes it is 10% of what you paid, sometimes more—but you always get your money back in full.
Host cancellations are rare, but they happen when a host has an emergency, a maintenance problem, or a double-booking. If a host cancels, Airbnb sends you a notification and processes the refund automatically. You do not have to do anything.
Cancellations Within 48 Hours of Check-In
If you cancel within 48 hours of your check-in time, Airbnb treats it as a last-minute cancellation. Most hosts' policies do not refund you at all for cancellations this close. However, Airbnb has a safety net: if you cancel because of an emergency—a death in the family, a serious illness, a natural disaster—you can request a refund exception.
To request an exception, cancel the booking first, then contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center in your account. Explain the emergency and provide any documentation you can (a hospital note, a death certificate, a disaster declaration). Airbnb reviews these requests case by case. They do not always grant them, but they do consider genuine emergencies.
What Happens to the Host's Payment
When you cancel, the host loses the booking income. If the host has already received payment from Airbnb (which happens automatically after you check in, or sometimes before if the host requested early payment), the refund comes out of that payment. If the host has not yet received payment, the booking straightforward disappears from their earnings.
Hosts do not have to approve your cancellation or agree to it. Your right to cancel is separate from the host's right to keep the money according to their policy. This is why it matters so much to read the policy before you book—once you book, you are bound by it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel an Airbnb booking without losing money?
Only if you cancel before the host's refund important date. Check your confirmation email to see the exact date. If you cancel after that date, the policy determines how much you lose. Some policies refund you 50% if you cancel in a certain window; others refund nothing.
What if I cancel and then want to rebook the same place?
You can rebook it if the dates are still open. The new booking will have the same cancellation policy as the original one. If you cancel and then rebook the same listing within a few days, Airbnb may flag it as unusual activity, but you are not breaking any rule.
Do I have to tell the host I'm canceling?
No. Airbnb notifies the host automatically when you cancel through the app or website. You do not need to send a message or email. The host will see the cancellation in their account and receive a notification.
Can the host refuse my cancellation?
No. You have the right to cancel any booking at any time. The host cannot block you from canceling. What the host can do is keep your money according to their cancellation policy, but they cannot force you to stay or prevent you from canceling.
What if the refund doesn't show up after 10 days?
Contact your bank first to confirm whether the refund arrived on their end but hasn't posted to your account yet. If your bank says they haven't received it, contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center with your booking confirmation number and ask them to check the refund status.