How to cancel your Airbnb reservation

You can cancel a reservation directly through the Airbnb app or website. Open your reservation, scroll to the bottom, and select "Cancel reservation." Airbnb will show you the refund amount you'll receive based on the host's cancellation policy before you confirm. Once you confirm the cancellation, the host is notified when ready.

The refund process depends on your original payment method. Refunds to credit or debit cards typically appear within 5 to 10 business days. If you paid with a different method — PayPal, Google Pay, or another digital wallet — the timeline may vary. Airbnb will send you a confirmation email with the refund amount and expected arrival date.

If you're cancelling because the host cancelled first, or because of an issue with the listing, the process is the same, but your refund may be different. Airbnb's system will flag cancellations initiated by hosts differently and may offer full refunds even within strict cancellation windows.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancel through the Airbnb app or website by opening your reservation and selecting "Cancel reservation" — you'll see your refund amount before confirming.
  • Your refund depends on the host's cancellation policy: flexible policies refund more money closer to check-in, while strict policies refund less or nothing.
  • Refunds to credit or debit cards arrive in 5 to 10 business days; other payment methods may take longer.
  • If the host cancels first or Airbnb removes the listing, you receive a full refund regardless of the cancellation policy.
  • Contact Airbnb support if your refund doesn't arrive within the stated timeframe or if you believe you're may have access to to a different amount.

Understanding Airbnb's cancellation policies

Every Airbnb listing has a cancellation policy set by the host. The policy determines how much of your money you get back if you cancel. Airbnb offers five standard policies: flexible, moderate, firm, strict, and super strict. The host chooses which one applies to their listing, and you can see it before you book.

Flexible policies let you cancel up to one day before check-in and receive a full refund. Moderate policies refund your full amount if you cancel at least five days before check-in; after that, you lose the first night's cost. Firm policies require cancellation at least ten days out for a full refund, and you lose the first night if you cancel between three and ten days before. Strict policies refund only 50 percent if you cancel more than 30 days before check-in, and nothing if you cancel within 30 days. Super strict policies refund nothing no matter when you cancel, except in cases where Airbnb steps in.

The cancellation policy is displayed on every listing page under "Cancellation policy." Read it before you book — once you've confirmed a reservation, the policy that was in effect at booking time applies, even if the host changes it later.

When you get a full refund regardless of the policy

Airbnb overrides the host's cancellation policy in specific situations. If the host cancels the reservation, you receive a full refund plus a credit for the same amount that you can use toward a future booking. If Airbnb removes the listing because it violates house rules or the host's account is suspended, you also get a full refund.

If you cancel because of a documented issue with the listing — the place is not as described, it's unsafe, or essential services like heat or water are missing — contact Airbnb support before you cancel. Airbnb may issue a full refund even if the cancellation policy would normally keep some of your money. You'll need to provide details about the problem and, when possible, photos or messages with the host showing you reported it.

Natural disasters, government travel restrictions, or other events beyond your control may also may have access to for a full refund. Airbnb evaluates these on a case-by-case basis. If you're in this situation, contact support and explain the circumstances.

Cancelling close to your check-in date

The closer you are to check-in, the less money you'll recover under most policies. If you're within a few days of arrival and the host has a firm or strict policy, you may lose most or all of your payment. Before you cancel, check the exact refund amount Airbnb shows you — it's calculated based on today's date and the policy in effect.

If you're cancelling because of an emergency or a legitimate problem with the listing, don't assume the policy applies. Message the host first and explain your situation. Some hosts will agree to cancel and refund you more than the policy requires, especially if they can rebook the dates. If the host refuses or doesn't respond, contact Airbnb support with details of your conversation.

Airbnb support can sometimes override strict policies if you can show the cancellation was due to circumstances beyond your control — illness, a family emergency, or a safety concern with the listing. The sooner you contact them, the better your chances.

What happens after you cancel

Once you confirm the cancellation, the host receives a notification. Your reservation disappears from your upcoming trips. The refund amount Airbnb quoted you will be processed to your original payment method, though the exact arrival date depends on your bank or payment provider.

If you paid with a credit or debit card, the refund typically shows as a credit within 5 to 10 business days. If you used PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or another digital wallet, the refund goes back to that account, and timing varies by provider. Check your payment method's transaction history or contact your bank if the refund doesn't arrive within the timeframe Airbnb provided.

You'll receive a cancellation confirmation email from Airbnb with the refund amount, the date it was processed, and an estimated arrival date. Keep this email for your records, especially if there's a dispute later.

Disputing a refund or cancellation issue

If you believe you should have received a larger refund, or if your refund hasn't arrived after the stated timeframe, contact Airbnb support. Go to the Help Center, find your reservation, and select "Report an issue." Describe the problem — for example, "I cancelled within the flexible window but received a partial refund" or "My refund was processed 15 days ago and hasn't appeared in my account."

Airbnb support will review your cancellation policy, the date you cancelled, and your payment records. If they find an error, they'll issue an additional refund. If your refund is genuinely delayed, they can escalate the issue to their payments team or advise you to contact your bank.

Keep screenshots of the cancellation confirmation, the refund amount shown, and any messages with the host. These help support investigate your case faster. Response times vary, but Airbnb typically replies within 24 to 48 hours.

Cancelling a reservation you haven't paid for yet

If you've made a reservation but Airbnb hasn't charged your payment method yet, you can still cancel through the app or website. The process is the same — open the reservation and select "Cancel reservation." Since no payment has been processed, there's nothing to refund, and the cancellation is when ready.

This sometimes happens when there's a delay between booking and payment processing, or if Airbnb is holding the charge pending host confirmation. Check your reservation status to see whether payment has been collected. If it hasn't, cancelling won't trigger any refund process — the charge straightforward won't go through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel an Airbnb reservation after check-in?

No. Once you've checked in, you can't cancel the reservation through the normal cancellation process. If you need to leave early and want a refund, contact Airbnb support and explain your situation. They may issue a partial refund if there's a legitimate reason — a safety issue, a serious problem with the listing, or a documented emergency — but this is not may provide.

What if the host cancels on me?

You'll receive a full refund plus an equal Airbnb credit you can use toward another booking. The host must provide a reason for the cancellation. If the cancellation is last-minute and leaves you without accommodation, contact Airbnb support — they may offer additional compensation or help you find an alternative listing.

Do I lose my money if I cancel with a super strict policy?

Yes, under a super strict policy you forfeit your entire payment if you cancel, with rare exceptions. The only way to recover money is if Airbnb determines the cancellation was due to circumstances beyond your control, the listing is unsafe, or the host cancelled first. Contact support with details if you believe your situation qualifies.

How long does it take to get my refund?

Refunds to credit or debit cards typically arrive in 5 to 10 business days. Other payment methods like PayPal or digital wallets may take longer — up to two weeks in some cases. Check your payment method's transaction history or contact your bank if it doesn't arrive within the timeframe Airbnb provided in your confirmation email.

Can I cancel and rebook the same dates at a different price?

Yes, but you'll lose money if the cancellation policy applies. You'll receive a refund based on the policy, then book a new reservation at the new price. If prices have gone up, you'll pay more overall. If they've dropped, you'll come out ahead after the refund. Check the refund amount before you cancel so you know the net cost of switching.