Yes, you can cancel within 24 hours—but the refund depends on the cancellation policy
You can cancel an Airbnb booking at any time, including within 24 hours of making the reservation. However, whether you get your money back depends entirely on which cancellation policy the host chose when they listed the property. Some hosts offer a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours; others do not. The clock starts from the moment you complete the booking, not from your check-in date.
Airbnb does not have a single cancellation rule that applies to all bookings. Each host sets their own policy—Flexible, Moderate, Strict, or Non-refundable—and you see which one applies before you confirm your reservation. If you cancel within the window that policy allows, you get the refund shown. If you cancel after that window closes, you lose the money, regardless of how soon your trip is.
Key Takeaways
- Flexible policies allow full refunds up to one day before check-in; Moderate policies refund if you cancel five days before; Strict policies refund only if you cancel 30 days before; Non-refundable policies never refund.
- The 24-hour window that matters is the one set by the host's policy, not a universal Airbnb rule—check your confirmation email to see which policy applies to your booking.
- To cancel, open the Airbnb app or website, go to your reservations, select the booking, and choose "Cancel reservation"—the refund amount will show before you confirm.
- If you cancel within the refundable window, the money returns to your original payment method within five to ten business days.
- Some hosts may offer a one-time exception if you contact them directly, though they are not required to do so.
Understanding the four cancellation policies
Flexible is the most forgiving. You get a full refund if you cancel up to one day before your check-in time (usually 4 p.m. on the day you arrive). After that, you lose everything. This policy is rare and hosts who offer it often charge higher nightly rates to offset the risk.
Moderate requires you to cancel at least five days before check-in for a full refund. If you cancel between one and five days before, you lose the first night's fee. If you cancel after that, you lose all your money. This is the most common policy.
Strict means you must cancel at least 30 days before check-in to get a full refund. Cancel between 14 and 30 days before, and you get back 50 percent. Cancel fewer than 14 days before, and you get nothing. Some strict policies are even more rigid—"Super Strict"—and refund only 50 percent no matter when you cancel, as long as it is before check-in.
Non-refundable means exactly that. You do not get money back, ever, even if you cancel when ready after booking. Hosts using this policy usually charge much lower nightly rates in exchange.
How to check your booking's cancellation policy
Open your confirmation email from Airbnb—it will say "Booking Confirmation" in the subject line. Scroll down to the section labeled "Cancellation Policy" and you will see which type applies and the exact refund terms. You can also check inside the Airbnb app by going to "Trips," selecting the booking, and tapping "Cancellation Policy."
The policy is set in stone once you book. If you do not like the terms, you must cancel and rebook with a different property that has a policy you prefer. Airbnb does not change a policy after you have reserved.
The steps to cancel your booking
On the Airbnb website, sign in, click the profile icon in the top right, and select "Trips." Find the reservation you want to cancel and click on it. You will see a button that says "Cancel reservation"—click it. Airbnb will show you the refund amount you will receive based on the cancellation policy and the current date. Review this number carefully, then confirm the cancellation.
On the Airbnb app, tap the profile icon at the bottom right, go to "Trips," select the booking, scroll down, and tap "Cancel reservation." The same refund preview will appear. Confirm, and the cancellation is complete.
Once you cancel, Airbnb sends a confirmation email. The refund is not when ready—it returns to your original payment method (credit card, debit card, PayPal, etc.) within five to ten business days. If you used a gift card to pay, the credit goes back to your Airbnb account instead.
What happens if you cancel after the refund window closes
If your cancellation policy's refund window has passed, you will see "Non-refundable" or a $0 refund amount when you try to cancel. You can still cancel the booking, but you will not get your money back. Airbnb will not make exceptions based on personal circumstances—the policy is what matters.
The only way to recover money after the window closes is to contact the host directly and ask if they will make an exception. Some hosts will, especially if you have a legitimate emergency. However, they have no obligation to do so, and most will not. If a host agrees to refund you, they will issue it through Airbnb's resolution center, not through a separate payment.
Cancellations within 24 hours of booking versus 24 hours before check-in
These are two different things, and the confusion trips up many guests. A "24-hour cancellation window" in Airbnb's marketing usually refers to the Flexible policy, which lets you cancel up to one day before check-in. This is not the same as canceling within 24 hours of making the reservation.
If you book a property today and want to cancel tomorrow, whether you get a refund depends on the host's policy and your check-in date. If your check-in is three weeks away and the host has a Moderate policy, you will get a full refund because you are canceling more than five days before arrival. If your check-in is tomorrow and the host has a Strict policy, you will get nothing because you are canceling fewer than 14 days before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose money if I cancel within 24 hours of booking?
Not necessarily. It depends on the host's cancellation policy and your check-in date. If the host offers a Flexible policy and your check-in is more than one day away, you will get a full refund. If your check-in is tomorrow or the host has a Strict or Non-refundable policy, you may lose the entire amount. Always check the policy before you book.
Can Airbnb force a host to refund me if I cancel after the policy window?
No. Airbnb enforces the cancellation policy as written. If you cancel outside the refund window, Airbnb will not override it. Your only option is to contact the host directly and ask for a one-time exception, but they can refuse.
What if I have a medical emergency and need to cancel?
Airbnb does not have a blanket medical exception policy. You must contact the host through the app's messaging system and explain your situation. Some hosts will refund you out of goodwill; others will not. If the host refuses, you can file a case with Airbnb's resolution center, but Airbnb will not override the policy unless the host agrees.
How long does it take to get my refund after I cancel?
Refunds return to your original payment method within five to ten business days. If you paid with a gift card, the credit appears in your Airbnb account when ready, but you cannot withdraw it as cash—you can only use it for future bookings.
Can I cancel and rebook with the same host to get a better rate?
You can cancel and rebook, but the refund still follows the original policy. If you cancel outside the refund window, you lose that money even if you when ready book the same property again. Only rebook if you will get a refund under the current policy, or if you are willing to lose the original payment.