Yes, you can cancel an Airbnb reservation, but what you get back depends on when you cancel and the host's cancellation policy
You can cancel any Airbnb reservation at any time through the app or website. The host cannot force you to stay. What changes is the refund: cancel within the host's grace period and you get your full payment back; cancel after that window closes and you lose some or all of your money, depending on which cancellation policy the listing used when you booked.
The three standard policies are flexible (free cancellation up to one day before check-in), moderate (free cancellation up to five days before), and strict (free cancellation up to 14 days before, or sometimes longer). Some hosts use a custom policy. The policy that applies is the one shown on the listing when you made the reservation, not the one showing now — hosts can change their policy, but it does not affect past bookings.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel through the Airbnb app or website at any time, and the cancellation takes effect when ready.
- Your refund amount depends on the host's cancellation policy and how many days before check-in you cancel.
- If you cancel within the grace period, you get your full payment back to your original payment method.
- Cancellations made after the grace period closes result in forfeited money, usually split between Airbnb and the host.
- If the host cancels on you, you receive a full refund plus a credit toward a future booking.
How to cancel through the app or website
Open your Airbnb account and go to Trips. Find the reservation you want to cancel and tap or click on it. Scroll down to find the "Cancel reservation" button. Tap it, select your reason for canceling (the reason does not affect your refund), and confirm. Airbnb will show you the refund amount before you confirm, so you know exactly what you are getting back.
The cancellation is final once you confirm. Airbnb will send a confirmation email to the address on your account. The refund goes back to the payment method you used to book — if you paid with a credit card, it returns to that card; if you used a gift card balance, it goes back to your Airbnb account as a credit. Refunds typically appear within 5 to 10 business days, though your bank or card issuer may take longer to post it.
What the three standard cancellation policies mean for your refund
Flexible lets you cancel free of charge up to one day before check-in. After that window closes, you lose your entire payment. This is the most host-friendly policy and is less common than it used to be.
Moderate lets you cancel free of charge up to five days before check-in. If you cancel between five days and one day before check-in, you lose the first night's fee. If you cancel one day before or later, you lose 50 percent of the total booking cost. This is the most common policy.
Strict lets you cancel free of charge up to 14 days before check-in. If you cancel between 14 and three days before, you lose the first night. If you cancel between three days and one day before, you lose 50 percent. If you cancel one day before or later, you lose the full amount. Some hosts set an even stricter window — up to 30 days before check-in — so check the listing you booked.
Custom policies vary by host. If the listing showed a custom policy when you booked, that is the one that applies. You can see which policy applies to your reservation by opening the booking details in your Trips section.
When the host cancels on you instead
If the host cancels your reservation, you receive a full refund to your original payment method plus a travel credit equal to your total booking cost. You can use the credit to book another stay within one year. The credit appears in your account within 24 hours of the host's cancellation.
If the host cancels within 30 days of your check-in date, Airbnb may also offer you additional compensation — usually a discount on a future booking or a credit toward your next stay. This is not automatic; Airbnb sends an email if you may have access to.
Cancellations due to illness, emergency, or safety concerns
If you need to cancel because of a serious illness, death in the family, or a natural disaster, contact Airbnb Support through the Resolution Center in your account. Explain your situation and provide documentation if you have it — a hospital discharge letter, death certificate, or emergency declaration from local government. Airbnb reviews these cases individually and may refund you in full even if you are outside the grace period.
If you feel unsafe at the property or the host is behaving inappropriately, cancel when ready and contact Airbnb Support right away. Airbnb takes safety concerns seriously and will usually refund you in full regardless of the cancellation policy. Do not wait — report the issue as soon as it happens.
How to avoid losing money on a cancellation
Book listings with a flexible or moderate cancellation policy if you are uncertain about your travel plans. Flexible policies cost more upfront but give you a one-day window to cancel free; moderate policies are cheaper and give you five days. If you book a strict policy, mark your calendar for the cancellation important date and set a phone reminder a few days before.
Some hosts offer free cancellation as a special promotion on specific dates. Check the listing details before you book — if the host is offering a limited-time cancellation window, it will be shown there. This is different from the standard policy and applies only to that booking.
Travel insurance that covers trip cancellation can reimburse you if you cancel for a covered reason — illness, injury, or a family emergency. Airbnb does not sell travel insurance, but third-party providers do. Read the policy carefully to understand what counts as a covered reason; most policies do not cover cancellations due to change of mind.
What happens to the host's earnings when you cancel
When you cancel outside the grace period, the money is split between Airbnb and the host. On a moderate policy, if you cancel one day before check-in and lose 50 percent of the booking, the host receives 50 percent and Airbnb keeps the rest as a service fee. The host does not receive money for cancellations within the grace period — that refund comes entirely from Airbnb's reserve.
This is why hosts prefer strict policies: they protect more of the host's earnings if you cancel late. It is also why some hosts have started offering longer grace periods on their own — to attract more bookings from guests who want flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel an Airbnb reservation the day before check-in?
Yes, you can cancel any time. Whether you get money back depends on the cancellation policy. On a flexible policy, you can cancel up to one day before and get your full refund; after that, you lose everything. On a moderate policy, you lose 50 percent if you cancel one day before. On a strict policy, you also lose 50 percent.
How long does it take to get my refund after I cancel?
Airbnb processes the refund within 5 to 10 business days. Your bank or card issuer may take an additional 3 to 5 business days to post it to your account. If you paid with an Airbnb gift card or account credit, the refund appears in your account when ready.
What if I cancel but the host refuses to accept it?
The host cannot refuse a cancellation. Once you cancel through the app or website, it is final. The host has no power to override it. If the host contacts you asking you to rebook or threatening to charge you, contact Airbnb Support — this violates Airbnb's terms.
Can I get a refund if I cancel because I changed my mind?
Only if you cancel within the grace period set by the cancellation policy. If you cancel after that window closes, you forfeit the money according to the policy. Airbnb does not make exceptions for change of mind — only for documented emergencies like illness or safety concerns.
What is the difference between canceling and requesting a refund?
Canceling through the app ends the reservation and triggers an automatic refund based on the policy. Requesting a refund through the Resolution Center is what you do if you want to ask the host or Airbnb for an exception — for example, if the listing was misrepresented or the property had a serious problem. A refund request is reviewed manually and may take longer.