What refunds Airbnb actually gives you
Whether you get your full payment back depends on the cancellation policy the host chose when they listed the property. Airbnb does not have one refund rule for all bookings. Instead, each listing has its own policy — Flexible, Moderate, Firm, Strict, or Super Strict — and what you get back is determined by when you cancel and which policy applies to your reservation.
The host sets the policy before you book. You can see which one applies to a listing before you pay, usually on the listing page under "Cancellation policy" or in the booking details. If you cancel before your check-in date, Airbnb processes the refund according to that policy's timeline and percentage.
The refund goes back to the original payment method — the credit card, debit card, or PayPal account you used to book. Processing time varies, but most refunds appear within 5 to 10 business days after Airbnb approves them.
Key Takeaways
- Full refunds are only available under the Flexible policy if you cancel at least 24 hours before check-in, or under other policies if you cancel far enough in advance.
- The Moderate policy refunds 50 percent if you cancel 5 or more days before check-in, and nothing if you cancel within 5 days.
- Firm and Strict policies refund money only if you cancel 30 or more days before check-in; within that window, you get nothing back.
- If the host cancels or the listing becomes unavailable, Airbnb refunds your full payment regardless of the cancellation policy.
- Refunds for issues like a dirty property or a missing amenity are handled separately through Airbnb's resolution center, not the standard cancellation policy.
The five cancellation policies and what each one pays back
Flexible is the most generous to guests. You can cancel any time before check-in and receive a full refund. Some hosts also offer a full refund up to 24 hours before arrival. After that window closes, you forfeit the entire payment.
Moderate refunds your full payment if you cancel 5 or more days before check-in. If you cancel between 1 and 4 days before arrival, you lose 50 percent of the nightly rate for the first night only. Cancellations on the day of check-in or later forfeit the entire booking.
Firm requires you to cancel at least 30 days before check-in to receive a full refund. If you cancel between 14 and 29 days before, you get back 50 percent. Anything within 14 days of check-in is non-refundable.
Strict is the most restrictive for guests. You must cancel 60 days or more before check-in for a full refund. Between 30 and 59 days before, you get 50 percent back. Within 30 days of check-in, the entire payment is forfeited. Some Strict listings offer a 50 percent refund if you cancel 14 days or more before arrival, but this varies by host.
Super Strict offers no refund at any point before check-in. You lose your entire payment if you cancel, even months in advance. The only exception is if the host cancels or the listing becomes unavailable.
When the host cancels or the property is unavailable
If the host cancels your reservation or the listing is removed from Airbnb before your arrival, you receive a full refund regardless of the cancellation policy. Airbnb processes this automatically, and the money returns to your original payment method.
If the host cancels very close to your check-in date and you have already made other travel arrangements, you may be may have access to to additional compensation through Airbnb's Host Cancellation Rebooking Credit. This is a credit toward a future booking, not a cash refund, and Airbnb determines the amount based on how close to arrival the cancellation occurred.
Refunds for problems during your stay
If you arrive and find the property is not as described — missing amenities, cleanliness issues, broken appliances, or other problems — you do not need to rely on the cancellation policy. Instead, you file a claim through Airbnb's Resolution Center within 24 hours of discovering the issue.
Airbnb reviews the claim and may issue a partial or full refund for that night or subsequent nights, depending on the severity of the problem and whether the host can fix it. This process is separate from cancellation refunds and is based on whether the property met the listing's description, not on the host's cancellation policy.
You must document the issue with photos or video and communicate with the host through the Airbnb app to give them a chance to resolve it. If they cannot or will not fix it, Airbnb makes a decision on the refund.
How to check your specific cancellation policy
Before you book, look at the listing page and scroll to the "Cancellation policy" section. It will show you the policy name and a breakdown of what you get back at different cancellation windows. This information is always visible before you complete payment.
After you have booked, you can see your cancellation policy in your reservation details. Open the Airbnb app or website, go to "Trips," select your reservation, and look for "Cancellation policy" in the booking details. This shows the exact policy that applies to your reservation and the refund percentages for each cancellation window.
If you are thinking about canceling, check this section first to understand what you will receive back. The policy does not change after you book — it is locked in at the time of reservation.
What happens if you cancel and then rebook
If you cancel a reservation and then book a different property, the refund from your first cancellation is separate from the new booking. You will receive the refund according to the first listing's cancellation policy, and you will be charged the full price for the new reservation.
Some guests cancel a Strict or Super Strict booking hoping to rebook the same property at a lower price later. Airbnb does not may provide the price will drop, and you may end up paying more. If the property is no longer available, you cannot rebook it at all. Check the current price and availability before you cancel if price is your concern.
Refunds for Airbnb service fees
When you book, Airbnb charges you the nightly rate plus a service fee (usually 14 to 16 percent of the nightly rate). If you cancel, the refund includes both the nightly rate and the service fee, calculated according to the cancellation policy.
For example, if a Moderate policy refunds 50 percent of the first night, that 50 percent includes both the host's nightly rate and Airbnb's service fee on that night. You do not get the service fee back separately or at a different percentage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I cancel the day before check-in?
It depends on the cancellation policy. Flexible policies refund your full payment if you cancel at least 24 hours before check-in. Moderate policies refund 50 percent of the first night. Firm, Strict, and Super Strict policies refund nothing if you cancel within their minimum windows (14, 30, and 0 days respectively).
What if the host cancels two weeks before my arrival?
You receive a full refund of your entire booking. Airbnb may also offer a rebooking credit toward a future stay, depending on how close to your check-in date the cancellation occurred. The rebooking credit is in addition to your refund, not instead of it.
Do I get the cleaning fee back if I cancel?
Yes. The cleaning fee is part of your total booking cost and is refunded according to the same cancellation policy as the nightly rate. If the policy refunds 50 percent, you get 50 percent of the nightly rate plus 50 percent of the cleaning fee.
How long does it take to see a refund in my bank account?
Airbnb typically processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days after you cancel. Your bank may take an additional 1 to 5 business days to post the money to your account. If you do not see the refund after 10 business days, contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center.
Can I cancel a Super Strict booking and get any money back?
No. Super Strict policies are non-refundable at any point before check-in. Your only option to recover money is if the host cancels or the listing becomes unavailable, in which case Airbnb refunds your full payment.