Airbnb refunds depend on the host's cancellation policy and when you cancel
Whether you get money back from an Airbnb booking depends almost entirely on the cancellation policy the host set when they listed the property. Airbnb does not have a single refund rule for all bookings — each host chooses from several policy types, and that choice determines what you can recover if you cancel. If the host cancels on you, the rules are different and usually more favorable.
The amount you receive back is calculated from your nightly rate minus Airbnb's service fee, which is not refundable. If you paid a cleaning fee or a service fee, those are also non-refundable in most cases, even if the host's policy would return your nightly rate.
Key Takeaways
- Your refund amount depends on the host's cancellation policy, which you can see before you book and is listed on the confirmation email after you book.
- Flexible policies refund your full nightly rate if you cancel up to one day before check-in; moderate policies give you a partial refund if you cancel five or more days ahead; strict policies refund nothing if you cancel within 30 days of check-in.
- If the host cancels, you receive a full refund of the nightly rate plus service fees, and Airbnb will help you find another place or give you a credit.
- Airbnb refunds are issued to your original payment method and usually arrive within 5 to 10 business days, though your bank may take longer to post the credit.
- If you have a legitimate reason to cancel — illness, emergency, or a host breach — you can contact Airbnb support to request a refund even if the policy would normally deny it.
The four cancellation policies and what each one refunds
Hosts choose from four main cancellation policies. Flexible policies refund your full nightly rate if you cancel up to one day before check-in. Moderate policies refund your full nightly rate if you cancel five or more days before check-in, and 50 percent of the nightly rate if you cancel between one and five days before. Strict policies refund your full nightly rate only if you cancel 30 or more days before check-in, and nothing if you cancel within 30 days. Super Strict policies refund your full nightly rate only if you cancel 60 or more days before check-in.
The cancellation policy appears on the listing page under "Cancellation policy" before you book. You can also find it on your confirmation email under "Cancellation policy" in the booking details. Read it carefully — it is the contract that governs your refund.
In all cases, Airbnb's service fee and any cleaning fee you paid are non-refundable. Some hosts also charge a "service fee" on top of the nightly rate; this is different from Airbnb's service fee and is usually non-refundable as well. The refund covers only the nightly rate itself.
When the host cancels and you get a full refund
If the host cancels your reservation, you are may have access to to a full refund of the nightly rate and Airbnb's service fee. This applies regardless of the host's stated cancellation policy. Airbnb will refund you automatically and will also offer you a credit toward another booking or help you find a replacement property.
A host cancellation can happen for many reasons — the property is no longer available, the host has a family emergency, or the listing was booked twice by mistake. When it happens, Airbnb sends you a notification and begins the refund process when ready. You do not have to request anything.
How to request a refund if you have an emergency or the host breaches the listing
If you have a legitimate reason to cancel — a death in the family, a serious illness, a job loss, or a natural disaster — you can contact Airbnb support and request a refund even if the host's policy would normally deny it. Airbnb calls this the "extenuating circumstances" exception. You will need to explain your situation and may be asked to provide documentation, such as a hospital note or a death certificate.
You can also request a refund if the host has breached the listing — for example, the property is not as described, it is unsafe, it is unclean, or essential amenities are missing or broken. In these cases, contact Airbnb support as soon as you discover the problem. If you have already checked in, you may be able to cancel and receive a refund, or Airbnb may help you move to a different property.
To contact Airbnb support, open the Airbnb app or website, go to your reservation, and select "Contact Host" or "Get Help." If you cannot resolve the issue with the host, select "Report This Issue" and Airbnb will assign a support agent to your case. Response times vary, but Airbnb typically replies within 24 to 48 hours.
How long refunds take and where the money goes
Airbnb processes refunds to your original payment method — the credit card, debit card, or PayPal account you used to book. The refund is issued within five to ten business days of approval, but your bank or payment processor may take an additional three to five business days to post the credit to your account. If you do not see the refund within ten business days, contact your bank to confirm they have received it.
If you paid with a gift card or Airbnb credit, the refund goes back into your Airbnb account as a credit, not to your bank. You can use this credit on any future Airbnb booking.
What happens if you cancel after check-in
If you check in and then decide to leave early, Airbnb does not refund the nights you do not use. The nightly rate is charged for each night of your reservation, regardless of whether you stay. The only exception is if you cancel because the host has breached the listing — for example, the property is unsafe or missing essential amenities. In that case, contact Airbnb support when ready and explain the problem. Airbnb may refund the unused nights if they determine the host is at fault.
If you want to leave early for any other reason, you can ask the host if they will agree to cancel the remaining nights and refund you. Some hosts will do this as a courtesy, but they are not required to. Any refund from the host would depend on their cancellation policy.
Refunds for group bookings and reservations with multiple rooms
If you booked multiple rooms or made a group booking, the same cancellation policy applies to the entire reservation. If you cancel, the refund is calculated for all rooms together based on the policy and the date of cancellation. You cannot cancel individual rooms and keep others — you must cancel the entire reservation or none of it.
If one person in your group needs to leave early, they cannot receive a refund for their portion. The group would need to contact the host and ask if they will modify the reservation, which the host can agree to or decline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I change my mind after booking?
Only if the host's cancellation policy allows it. If you booked a flexible policy, you can cancel up to one day before check-in and receive your full nightly rate back. If you booked a moderate, strict, or super strict policy, you may receive a partial refund or nothing, depending on how many days before check-in you cancel. Check your confirmation email to see which policy applies to your booking.
What if the host's description was wrong or the photos were misleading?
Contact Airbnb support when ready and describe what is different from the listing. If the property is significantly not as described, Airbnb may refund you and help you find another place. You do not have to stay in a property that does not match the listing.
Do I get the cleaning fee back if I cancel?
No. Cleaning fees are non-refundable in most cases, even if the host's cancellation policy refunds your nightly rate. The only exception is if the host cancels on you — then you receive a full refund including the cleaning fee.
How do I check the cancellation policy for a booking I already made?
Open the Airbnb app or website, go to "Trips," select your reservation, and scroll down to "Cancellation policy." You can also find it on your confirmation email under the booking details. The policy shows the exact refund amount for each cancellation date.
What if Airbnb denies my refund request?
If Airbnb denies your request, you can reply to the support email and provide additional information or documentation. If you believe Airbnb made an error, you can escalate the case by replying again. Keep records of all communication with the host and Airbnb in case you need to dispute the charge with your credit card company.