How to cancel a booking on Airbnb

You cancel an Airbnb booking through the app or website by going to your reservation, selecting "Cancel reservation," and confirming. The money you get back depends on the host's cancellation policy and how close you are to your check-in date. Airbnb processes refunds to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days, though your bank may take longer to show the credit.

The steps are the same whether you book on mobile or desktop. Open your Airbnb account, find the reservation under "Trips," tap or click the listing, and look for the cancellation option. Airbnb will show you the refund amount before you confirm—this is the number that matters, not what you paid, because the host's policy may reduce it.

Key Takeaways

  • You cancel through the Airbnb app or website by finding your reservation under "Trips" and selecting "Cancel reservation."
  • Your refund amount depends on the host's cancellation policy, which ranges from fully refundable to non-refundable, and how many days before check-in you cancel.
  • Airbnb sends refunds to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days, but your bank controls how long it takes to appear in your account.
  • If you cancel within the host's grace period (usually 48 hours after booking), you may get a full refund even under a strict policy.
  • If the host cancels instead, Airbnb gives you a credit for the full amount to use on a future booking or a refund to your original payment method.

Understanding Airbnb's cancellation policies

Every Airbnb listing shows the host's cancellation policy before you book. The policy determines what percentage of your money you lose if you cancel. Airbnb offers five standard policies: Flexible, Moderate, Firm, Strict, and Super Strict. A Flexible policy refunds most of your money if you cancel up to one day before check-in. A Strict policy refunds nothing if you cancel within 30 days of check-in, though you keep any cleaning fees the host charged separately.

The policy also includes a grace period—usually 48 hours after you book—during which you can cancel for a full refund no matter what the listing says. This grace period exists so you have time to change your mind without penalty. After the grace period ends, the host's stated policy takes over.

Some hosts also offer a "free cancellation" window that is longer than the grace period. For example, a host might allow free cancellation up to 14 days before check-in even if their policy is Moderate. Always read the exact cancellation terms on the listing page before you book, because they vary by host and by dates.

What refund you receive based on timing

The refund you see when you cancel is the only number that matters. Airbnb calculates it by explore the host's policy to your booking amount and shows you the exact refund before you confirm the cancellation. If you cancel during the 48-hour grace period, you get everything back except Airbnb's service fees, which are non-refundable. After the grace period, the host's policy determines what you lose.

Here is how the main policies work in practice. With a Flexible policy, you get a full refund if you cancel up to one day before check-in; after that, you lose everything. With a Moderate policy, you get a full refund up to five days before check-in, then lose 50 percent if you cancel between five days and one day before, then lose everything if you cancel within one day. With a Firm policy, you lose 50 percent if you cancel within 30 days of check-in. With a Strict policy, you lose everything if you cancel within 30 days. Super Strict is the same as Strict but applies to longer stays.

Cleaning fees and service fees are handled separately. Cleaning fees are usually non-refundable once you book, even if you cancel during the grace period. Airbnb's service fee is always non-refundable. The host's cancellation policy applies only to the nightly rate and any additional fees the host set (like a pet fee or extra guest fee).

How to find your cancellation policy before you book

Before you complete a booking, scroll down on the listing page to the "Cancellation policy" section. It will show the host's policy name (Flexible, Moderate, Firm, Strict, or Super Strict) and a breakdown of what you get back at different cancellation windows. For example, it might say "Full refund up to 5 days before check-in" or "50% refund up to 1 day before check-in." This section also shows the grace period and any longer free cancellation window the host offers.

If the policy is unclear, message the host before you book and ask them to confirm the exact terms. Some hosts customize their policies for specific dates, so a listing might have a Flexible policy for most dates but a Strict policy during peak season. The listing page always shows the policy for the dates you selected, so check it for your exact travel dates.

When Airbnb holds your refund or delays it

Airbnb processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days of your cancellation, but this does not mean the money appears in your account that fast. Airbnb sends the refund to your original payment method—the card or account you used to book. Your bank or payment provider then decides how long to post it, which can add another 3 to 5 business days. If you used a debit card, the refund may take longer than a credit card.

In rare cases, Airbnb may hold a refund if there is a dispute with the host. For example, if the host claims you damaged the property and files a damage claim, Airbnb may delay your refund while they investigate. You will receive a message explaining the hold and when it will be resolved. If you cancel and the host has not yet accepted or rejected your cancellation, Airbnb may also hold the refund until the host responds (though most hosts respond within 24 hours).

If your refund does not appear after 10 business days, check your spam folder for an Airbnb email confirming the refund. If you still do not see it, contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center in your account and provide your booking confirmation number. They can trace where the refund went and resend it if needed.

What happens if the host cancels instead

If the host cancels your reservation, you get a full refund of everything you paid, including service fees and cleaning fees. Airbnb also gives you a travel credit equal to your full booking amount that you can use toward any future booking on Airbnb. You do not have to choose between the refund and the credit—you get both. The travel credit is valid for one year from the date of the host's cancellation.

The refund goes to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days, the same as a guest cancellation. The travel credit appears in your account when ready and shows up under "Credits" in your account settings. You can use it on any listing, with any host, at any time before it expires.

If the host cancels very close to your check-in date and you cannot find another place to stay, you can also ask Airbnb for additional compensation through the Resolution Center. Airbnb does not may provide extra money, but they may offer a discount on a future booking or a credit if the cancellation caused you significant hardship.

Canceling a reservation with a co-host or shared calendar

If you booked through a co-host account or the listing uses a shared calendar with another booking platform, the cancellation process is the same from your side—you cancel through Airbnb and the refund follows the host's policy. However, the host may take longer to confirm the cancellation if they need to sync it with another calendar or notify a co-host. This delay does not affect your refund timeline; Airbnb still processes it within 5 to 10 business days.

If you are unsure whether the listing uses a shared calendar, check the listing description or message the host before you book. Some hosts block dates on other platforms when they accept an Airbnb booking, so there is no conflict. Others manage multiple calendars manually and may need a day or two to update them all. This does not change your refund, but it can affect whether the host accepts your cancellation quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel an Airbnb booking after I have already checked in?

No. Once you check in, you cannot cancel through the normal cancellation process. If you need to leave early, contact the host directly and ask if they will refund you for the unused nights. The host is not required to refund you, but many will offer a partial refund or credit if you ask politely. If the host refuses and you believe the listing was misrepresented, you can file a complaint through the Resolution Center.

What if I cancel but the host does not accept the cancellation?

Airbnb automatically processes your cancellation after 48 hours if the host does not respond. Your refund is based on the host's cancellation policy and the timing of your cancellation, not on whether the host accepts it. The host cannot override your cancellation or force you to keep the booking. If there is a dispute, contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center with your booking number.

Do I lose my Airbnb service fee if I cancel?

Yes. Airbnb's service fee is non-refundable in all cases, even if you cancel during the 48-hour grace period. The grace period refunds everything except the service fee. If you cancel after the grace period, you lose both the service fee and whatever portion of the nightly rate the host's policy takes.

Can I get a refund if I cancel because of a family emergency?

Not automatically. Airbnb's cancellation policies do not have exceptions for emergencies. However, you can message the host and explain your situation—many hosts will offer a refund or credit as a courtesy. If the host refuses, you can file a complaint through the Resolution Center, but Airbnb will only override the cancellation policy in extreme cases, such as if the listing was fraudulent or unsafe.

How do I cancel if I booked through a third-party website or travel agent?

You must cancel through the website or agent where you booked, not through Airbnb directly. Airbnb does not process cancellations for bookings made through other platforms. Contact the third-party site's customer service and provide your booking confirmation number. The refund policy may differ from Airbnb's standard policies, so check the terms you agreed to when you booked.