What Airbnb gift cards are and how they work

An Airbnb gift card is a prepaid account credit you can buy and give to someone else, or use yourself to pay for stays and experiences on Airbnb. When you redeem a gift card, the dollar amount is added to your Airbnb account as a credit that you can spend on any listing or experience available in your region. The credit never expires once it's in your account, and you can combine multiple gift cards or use a gift card alongside a payment method like a credit card if your booking costs more than the card's value.

Gift cards are sold by Airbnb directly through their website and mobile app, and also through third-party retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy. The card itself is either a physical card that arrives by mail or a digital code sent by email, depending on which you choose at purchase. Both types work identically once redeemed—the only difference is how you receive it.

Key Takeaways

  • Airbnb gift cards add credit to your account that you can spend on any stay or experience, and the credit never expires once redeemed.
  • You can buy physical cards that arrive by mail or digital cards with codes sent by email, from Airbnb or from retailers like Amazon and Walmart.
  • To redeem a gift card, you enter the code in your account settings under "Payments" or during checkout, and the balance appears when ready.
  • You can check your remaining balance anytime in your account settings, and you can combine multiple gift cards or use a gift card with another payment method on the same booking.
  • Gift card balances are tied to your account and cannot be transferred to another person once redeemed, though unredeemed cards can be given to anyone.

Where to buy Airbnb gift cards

You can buy Airbnb gift cards directly from Airbnb.com or the Airbnb mobile app. Go to the "Gift cards" section, choose your amount (typically $25, $50, $100, or $250, though custom amounts are sometimes available), and select whether you want a physical or digital card. Physical cards take 5 to 10 business days to arrive by mail. Digital cards are sent by email within minutes.

Third-party retailers also sell Airbnb gift cards, usually in preset denominations. Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and other major retailers stock them in their gift card sections—both online and in physical stores. Buying from a retailer works the same way: you purchase the card and receive either a physical card or an email code. Some retailers occasionally offer discounts or bonus rewards points when you buy gift cards, so it's worth checking if you shop there regularly.

How to redeem an Airbnb gift card

To redeem a gift card, sign into your Airbnb account on the website or app. On the website, go to your account menu, select "Payments," then click "Redeem a gift card." On the app, tap your profile icon, go to "Payments and payouts," then select "Redeem gift card." Enter the code from your card or email and click redeem. The balance appears in your account when ready and is ready to use.

You can also redeem a gift card during checkout when you're booking a stay or experience. At the payment step, look for a link or button that says "Redeem a gift card" or "Have a gift card?" and enter the code there. The credit will be applied to that booking if you complete the purchase, or it will be added to your account balance if you don't finish the booking.

Once a gift card is redeemed, the credit is locked to your account and cannot be transferred to another person. If you want to give someone a gift card, you must do so before they redeem it—give them the unredeemed code, and they can redeem it into their own account.

Checking your gift card balance and using it on bookings

To see how much credit you have left, sign into your account, go to "Payments," and look for "Gift card balance" or "Account credit." The balance displays your remaining funds. You can check this anytime before or after making a booking.

When you book a stay or experience, your gift card balance is automatically applied first if you have one. If the booking costs more than your balance, you'll be asked to add another payment method for the difference. If your balance is more than the booking cost, the remaining credit stays in your account for future bookings. You cannot request a refund of unused gift card balance to your bank account or payment method—the credit can only be spent on Airbnb bookings and experiences.

Combining multiple gift cards and using them with other payment methods

You can redeem as many gift cards as you want into a single account. Each one adds to your total account credit, and you can use that combined balance on any booking. There's no limit to how much credit you can accumulate in your account.

On a single booking, you can also combine a gift card balance with a credit card, debit card, or other payment method. If your booking costs $150 and you have a $100 gift card balance, Airbnb will charge the $100 to your gift card credit and ask you to pay the remaining $50 with another payment method. This works the same way whether you're paying with a credit card, debit card, or another saved payment method.

What happens if you lose or damage a gift card code

If you have a physical gift card and lose it before redeeming it, contact Airbnb support with your proof of purchase (receipt or order confirmation). Airbnb may be able to help you recover the code, but this depends on whether you have documentation of the purchase. If you bought the card from a retailer like Walmart or Target, contact that retailer first—they may have a record of the transaction and can help you retrieve the code.

If you have the code but it's damaged or hard to read, try entering it exactly as it appears. If that doesn't work, contact Airbnb support with a photo of the card or code and your proof of purchase. Once a code is successfully redeemed into an account, the balance is protected and tied to that account—you don't need the physical card anymore.

Gift card expiration and account restrictions

Airbnb gift card credits do not expire once they are redeemed into your account. You can hold the balance indefinitely and use it whenever you're ready to book. However, the unredeemed gift card code itself may have an expiration date depending on where you bought it and your location. Check the terms on the card or email when you receive it to see if there's a important date to redeem the code.

Gift card balances can only be used to pay for stays and experiences on Airbnb. They cannot be used to pay service fees, cleaning fees, or other charges outside of the booking itself. If you have a dispute with a host or need a refund, Airbnb will refund the amount to your original payment method, not back to your gift card balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an Airbnb gift card to pay for a subscription like Airbnb Plus?

No. Gift card balances can only be used to pay for individual stays and experiences. Subscriptions and memberships must be paid with a credit card, debit card, or other direct payment method.

What if someone gives me a gift card code but it doesn't work when I try to redeem it?

The code may have already been redeemed, may be expired, or may have been entered incorrectly. Ask the person who gave it to you to double-check the code and confirm they haven't redeemed it themselves. If the code is still not working, contact Airbnb support with the code and the person's proof of purchase.

Can I transfer my gift card balance to another person's account?

No. Once a gift card is redeemed into your account, the balance is locked to that account and cannot be moved or transferred. If you want to give someone credit, you must give them an unredeemed gift card code before they redeem it.

Do I get a refund if I cancel a booking paid with a gift card?

Refunds depend on the host's cancellation policy. If you're due a refund, Airbnb returns the amount to your original payment method. If you paid with a gift card, the refund goes back to your gift card balance in your account, not to your bank.

Can I buy an Airbnb gift card for someone in another country?

Gift cards are typically sold in the currency of the country where you buy them. If you buy a card in US dollars, the recipient can use it in any country where Airbnb operates, but the balance will be in dollars. Check Airbnb's website for your region to see which currencies and denominations are available.