Yes, you can cancel an Airbnb reservation, but the refund depends on the cancellation policy attached to your booking

You can cancel any Airbnb reservation through the app or website at any time before your check-in date. The amount of money you receive back depends entirely on which cancellation policy the listing had when you booked it — not on the reason you are cancelling or how urgent your situation is. Airbnb does not refund cancellations as a favor; they refund them according to the policy you agreed to when you made the reservation.

The three main cancellation policies are Flexible (refund up to 1 day before check-in), Moderate (refund up to 5 days before check-in), and Strict (refund up to 14 days before check-in, but only 50 percent). Some listings also offer Super Strict (no refund after 60 days) or Non-refundable (no refund at all). The policy is listed on the reservation confirmation and on the listing page itself.

Key Takeaways

  • You cancel through the Airbnb app or website by going to your reservation and selecting "Cancel reservation" — the refund amount appears before you confirm.
  • The refund you receive is determined by the cancellation policy chosen by the host when the listing was created, not by Airbnb's default rules.
  • If you cancel after the refund important date for your policy, you will receive no refund, even if the host later rebooks the property.
  • Extenuating circumstances (illness, death, job loss) do not override the cancellation policy unless you have travel insurance through Airbnb.
  • If the host cancels on you, Airbnb automatically refunds 100 percent and offers a rebooking credit equal to your nightly rate.

How to cancel your reservation through the app or website

Open the Airbnb app or go to airbnb.com and sign in. Tap or click "Trips" in the menu, then find the reservation you want to cancel. Select "Cancel reservation" — you will see a page that shows the exact refund amount you will receive based on the cancellation policy and today's date. Read this number carefully; it is your final refund, not an estimate.

After you confirm the cancellation, Airbnb sends a notification to the host and begins processing your refund. The money returns to your original payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account) within 5 to 10 business days. You will receive an email confirmation with a cancellation reference number.

Understanding the five cancellation policies and their refund windows

Flexible policies refund 100 percent if you cancel up to 1 day before check-in. After that important date, you lose everything. This is the rarest policy because hosts rarely choose it.

Moderate policies refund 100 percent if you cancel up to 5 days before check-in. If you cancel between 5 days and 1 day before check-in, you lose 50 percent. If you cancel within 1 day of check-in, you lose 100 percent.

Strict policies refund 100 percent if you cancel up to 14 days before check-in. If you cancel between 14 days and 3 days before check-in, you lose 50 percent. If you cancel within 3 days of check-in, you lose 100 percent.

Super Strict policies refund 100 percent only if you cancel up to 60 days before check-in. After that, you receive nothing. Non-refundable listings offer no refund under any circumstance, though some hosts offer a credit toward a future stay instead.

What happens if you cancel after the refund important date

If you cancel after your policy's refund window closes, Airbnb will not refund you, even if the host rebooks the property the next day. The cancellation policy is a contract between you and the host, and Airbnb enforces it as written. The host keeps the full payment.

The only exception is if you purchased Airbnb Travel Insurance at the time of booking. This separate product (not included in the reservation price) covers cancellations due to illness, injury, death in the family, or job loss. If you have this insurance, you can file a claim and potentially recover your money. Check your reservation confirmation to see if you purchased it.

When the host cancels on you instead

If the host cancels your reservation, Airbnb automatically refunds 100 percent of your payment to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days. You also receive a rebooking credit equal to your nightly rate (not the full reservation cost) that you can use toward another Airbnb stay within one year.

If the host cancels very close to your check-in date and you cannot find another place, contact Airbnb support through the app or website. They may offer additional compensation or help you find alternative housing, though this is not may provide.

Cancellation policies and special circumstances

Airbnb's cancellation policies do not change based on your reason for cancelling. A death in the family, a medical emergency, a job loss, or a natural disaster does not override the policy you agreed to when you booked. The host is not required to make an exception, and Airbnb will not force them to.

Your only recourse in these situations is to contact the host directly and ask them to cancel on their end (which triggers a 100 percent refund) or to request a refund as a courtesy. Some hosts will grant this; many will not. Travel insurance is the only way to protect yourself against these scenarios, and you must purchase it at the time of booking — you cannot add it later.

How to request a refund from the host if you cancel too late

If you cancel after your refund important date and want to ask the host for an exception, go to your reservation and select "Message host." Explain your situation clearly and ask if they will cancel the reservation on their end (which would refund you 100 percent) or if they will refund you as a courtesy. Be specific about your circumstances and respectful of their time.

Hosts are under no obligation to refund you, and many will decline. If the host does not respond or refuses, you have no further recourse through Airbnb unless you have travel insurance. Do not dispute the charge with your credit card company unless Airbnb or the host has committed fraud — doing so can result in your Airbnb account being permanently suspended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel an Airbnb reservation the day before check-in?

Yes, but whether you get a refund depends on the cancellation policy. If the policy is Flexible, you will be refunded in full. If it is Moderate or Strict, you will lose 50 percent or 100 percent depending on how many days before check-in the policy allows. Check your reservation confirmation to see which policy applies.

What if I cancel and the host rebooks the same dates?

It does not matter. Once you cancel after the refund important date, your money is gone. Airbnb does not refund you if the host finds another guest, and the host is not required to share that income with you. The cancellation policy is final.

Can I get a refund if I change my mind about the trip?

Only if you cancel before your policy's refund important date. Changing your mind is not a special circumstance. If you cancel after the important date, you will not be refunded unless the host agrees to cancel on their end or you have travel insurance.

How long does it take to get my refund after I cancel?

Airbnb processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days. The money goes back to your original payment method — if you paid with a credit card, it appears as a credit on your statement. If you paid with a debit card or bank transfer, it may take longer depending on your bank.

What is Airbnb Travel Insurance and when should I buy it?

Travel Insurance is an optional product you purchase at checkout that covers cancellations due to illness, injury, death, or job loss. It costs a percentage of your total reservation price and must be bought when you make the reservation — you cannot add it later. If you think you might need to cancel for any reason, it is worth the cost.