Yes, you can cancel an Airbnb booking, but what you get back depends on when you cancel and which cancellation policy the host set

You can cancel any Airbnb reservation you have made. The host cannot force you to stay. What changes is how much of your money comes back to you — that depends on three things: the host's cancellation policy, how many days before check-in you cancel, and whether Airbnb's extenuating circumstances policy applies to your situation.

The cancellation policy is set by the host when they list the property, not by Airbnb. Most hosts choose from five standard policies that Airbnb provides, though some write their own. You can see which policy applies to your booking before you pay — it appears on the listing page under "Cancellation policy" and again in your confirmation email.

Key Takeaways

  • You cancel through the Airbnb app or website by going to your reservation, selecting "Cancel reservation", and choosing a reason — the reason does not affect your refund unless you claim a safety or health emergency.
  • Standard cancellation policies range from "Flexible" (full refund up to one day before check-in) to "Strict" (no refund unless you cancel more than 60 days early), and the host's chosen policy determines what you receive back.
  • If you cancel within the host's refund window, Airbnb returns your money to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days, though some banks take longer to post it.
  • Airbnb's extenuating circumstances policy may return your full payment if you cancel because of a serious illness, death in your family, or natural disaster — you will need to provide documentation.
  • If the host cancels on you, Airbnb automatically offers you a full refund or a rebooking credit, and you do not have to accept the credit if you prefer your money back.

The five standard cancellation policies and what you get back

Flexible policies let you cancel with a full refund up to one day before check-in. After that, you lose everything. This is the most guest-friendly option and hosts who offer it tend to get more bookings.

Moderate policies give you a full refund if you cancel up to five days before check-in. Between five days and one day before, you lose half your payment. After that, you lose it all. The service fee (Airbnb's cut, usually 3 percent) is non-refundable under all policies.

Strict policies refund you only if you cancel more than 60 days before check-in. If you cancel between 60 and 30 days out, you get half back. Anything closer than 30 days, you lose everything. Some hosts use strict policies because they want to discourage cancellations, or because they have had guests cancel last-minute in the past.

Super Strict policies refund you only if you cancel more than 60 days before check-in. If you cancel between 60 and 14 days out, you get half back. Anything closer than 14 days, you lose everything. This is the harshest option and is less common.

Long-term policies explore only to stays of 28 days or longer. They offer a full refund if you cancel more than 14 days before check-in, half back between 14 and 7 days, and nothing if you cancel within 7 days.

How to cancel your reservation

Open the Airbnb app or go to airbnb.com and sign in. Tap or click "Trips" at the top, then find the reservation you want to cancel. Tap or click the reservation to open it, then scroll down and select "Cancel reservation".

Airbnb will ask you to choose a reason for the cancellation — common options include "Change of plans", "Found a different place", "Host communication issues", or "Safety concerns". The reason you select does not affect your refund unless you are claiming a safety or health emergency, which triggers Airbnb's extenuating circumstances review.

After you select a reason, Airbnb shows you exactly how much you will get back based on the host's policy and the current date. Review that amount, then confirm the cancellation. The cancellation is when ready — the host is notified right away.

When Airbnb may return your full payment despite the cancellation policy

Airbnb has an extenuating circumstances policy that overrides the host's cancellation policy in certain situations. If you cancel because of a serious illness, a death in your family, a natural disaster affecting your home, or a travel ban issued by your government, you may receive a full refund even if the host's policy would normally give you nothing.

To request a refund under this policy, cancel your reservation and select the reason that matches your situation. Airbnb will ask you to provide documentation — a hospital record, a death certificate, a government emergency declaration, or a travel ban notice. You have 30 days after your original check-in date to submit this documentation.

Airbnb reviews each claim individually and does not may provide approval. If approved, you receive a full refund minus the service fee. If denied, you get whatever the host's cancellation policy allows. The review process typically takes a few days, though it can take longer if Airbnb needs to contact you for more information.

What happens if the host cancels on you

If a host cancels your reservation, Airbnb automatically sends you a notification and offers you two options: a full refund to your original payment method, or a rebooking credit for the same amount that you can use toward another Airbnb stay within one year.

You do not have to accept the rebooking credit. If you prefer your money back, select "Get refund" in the notification. Airbnb processes the refund within 5 to 10 business days, though your bank may take additional time to post it to your account.

If the host cancels very close to your check-in date and you have already made travel arrangements, you may be able to contact Airbnb Support to request additional compensation. Airbnb does not may provide this, but hosts who cancel last-minute sometimes face penalties that Airbnb applies to their account.

How long refunds take to appear in your account

Airbnb processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days of your cancellation. The refund goes back to the payment method you used to book — if you paid with a credit card, it appears as a credit on that card; if you paid with a debit card, it goes back to that debit account; if you used PayPal or another third-party service, it returns there.

Your bank or payment processor may take additional time to post the refund. Credit card companies typically show refunds within 3 to 5 business days after Airbnb sends them, but some take up to 10 days. Debit card refunds are often slower — some banks hold them for up to two weeks. Check your bank's refund policy if you do not see the money within two weeks of canceling.

If you cancel and do not see the refund within 10 business days, contact Airbnb Support through the app or website. Go to the Help Center, select your reservation, and choose "I have a question about my refund". Airbnb can confirm whether the refund was sent and, if it was, provide you with a reference number to give your bank.

What to do if you disagree with the refund amount

If you believe Airbnb calculated your refund incorrectly, contact Airbnb Support within 30 days of your cancellation. Go to the Help Center, find your reservation, and select "I have a question about my refund". Explain what you believe went wrong — for example, if you think the service fee should have been refunded or if you believe the cancellation policy was misapplied.

Airbnb Support will review your case and either confirm the refund amount or correct it if an error was made. This process usually takes a few days. If you are not satisfied with the response, you can escalate the case, though Airbnb's decision is typically final unless you have evidence that the policy was applied incorrectly.

Keep your confirmation email and screenshots of the cancellation policy as it appeared when you booked. These documents help Airbnb Support verify what policy was in effect at the time of your reservation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but whether you get money back depends on the host's cancellation policy. If the host chose "Flexible", you get a full refund up to one day before check-in. If they chose "Moderate" or stricter, you will lose at least half your payment. Check the policy on your confirmation email before deciding.

What if I cancel and then want to rebook the same place?

You can rebook anytime the dates are available, but you will pay the full price again. Airbnb does not give you a discount for rebooking. If the host cancels on you, Airbnb offers a rebooking credit for the same amount, which is different — that credit is only available when the host cancels, not when you do.

Do I lose the service fee if I cancel?

Yes. Airbnb's service fee is non-refundable under all cancellation policies, even if you cancel within the refund window. The refund amount you see always excludes the service fee. Only Airbnb's extenuating circumstances policy may return the full amount including the service fee, and that requires documentation and approval.

What if the host's cancellation policy is not clear?

Contact Airbnb Support before you book or when ready after booking if you are unsure. Airbnb Support can explain the policy in writing and confirm what you would receive if you canceled on a specific date. This is especially helpful if the host wrote a custom policy instead of using one of the five standard ones.

Can I cancel if the listing photos do not match the actual place?

Yes, and you may be able to receive a full refund through Airbnb's extenuating circumstances policy if the place is significantly different from the listing. Contact Airbnb Support with photos or video showing the difference, and explain why the discrepancy makes the place unsuitable. Airbnb will review your case and may approve a full refund regardless of the cancellation policy.