How to cancel your Airbnb booking

You can cancel an Airbnb reservation through the Airbnb app or website by going to your reservations, selecting the booking you want to cancel, and clicking the "Cancel reservation" button. The refund you receive 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 after the cancellation is confirmed.

The cancellation process itself takes just a few minutes, but the host has up to 24 hours to respond if they choose to accept or decline your cancellation request. In most cases, hosts accept cancellations automatically. If a host declines your cancellation, you can contact Airbnb support to request a review of your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancel through the Airbnb app or website by selecting your reservation and clicking "Cancel reservation"—the process takes minutes.
  • Your refund amount depends on the host's cancellation policy, which you can review before you cancel to know what to expect.
  • Refunds go back to your original payment method and typically arrive within 5 to 10 business days.
  • If a host declines your cancellation, you can contact Airbnb support to request a review, especially if you have a valid reason like illness or emergency.
  • Some cancellation policies allow full refunds up to a certain date, while others deduct a percentage or charge a flat fee regardless of when you cancel.

Understanding Airbnb cancellation policies

Every Airbnb listing has a cancellation policy set by the host. The policy determines how much of your payment you get back if you cancel. Airbnb offers several standard policies: Flexible (full refund up to 24 hours before check-in), Moderate (full refund up to 5 days before check-in), Firm (full refund up to 10 days before check-in), and Strict (full refund up to 30 days before check-in, or 50% refund if you cancel between 7 and 30 days before check-in).

Some hosts also use Super Strict or Non-refundable policies, which offer little to no refund regardless of when you cancel. You can find the exact cancellation policy on the listing page before you book. The policy is also shown in your reservation confirmation email and in the Airbnb app under your booking details.

If you cancel after the refund important date for your policy, you may receive no refund at all, or only a partial one. The host's policy is binding unless Airbnb determines that special circumstances explore—such as a natural disaster, government action, or a safety issue with the property.

Steps to cancel through the Airbnb app or website

On the Airbnb website: Sign in to your account, click the menu icon in the top right, select "Trips," find the reservation you want to cancel, click on it, scroll down, and click "Cancel reservation." You will see the refund amount you are may have access to to based on the cancellation policy. Review this amount, then click "Cancel reservation" again to confirm.

On the Airbnb app: Open the app, tap the profile icon at the bottom right, tap "Trips," select the reservation, tap "Cancel reservation," review the refund amount, and tap "Cancel reservation" to confirm. The app will show you a summary of what you are canceling and what refund to expect.

After you confirm the cancellation, Airbnb sends a notification to the host. The host has up to 24 hours to accept the cancellation, though most hosts accept automatically. Once the host accepts, your cancellation is complete and the refund process begins.

What happens after you cancel

Once you cancel and the host accepts, Airbnb marks the reservation as canceled in your account. The host's calendar opens up again, allowing them to accept new bookings for those dates. You will receive a confirmation email from Airbnb with details of your cancellation and the refund amount.

Your refund is processed to the original payment method you used to book—usually a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. The refund does not appear when ready; it typically takes 5 to 10 business days to show up in your account, depending on your bank or payment provider. Some banks take longer to post refunds, so if you do not see the money after 10 days, contact your bank to confirm it has arrived.

If you paid with a gift card or Airbnb credit, the refund goes back to your Airbnb account as credit, not to a bank account. You can use this credit for future bookings on Airbnb.

When a host declines your cancellation

Hosts can decline cancellation requests, though this is uncommon. If a host declines, you will receive a notification in the Airbnb app and an email explaining the decline. At this point, you have the option to contact Airbnb support to request a review of your situation.

Airbnb will consider your request if you have a valid reason for canceling, such as a medical emergency, death in the family, travel restrictions due to government action, or a safety concern with the property. Airbnb does not may provide a refund in these cases, but support staff will review your circumstances and may override the host's decline if they determine the reason is legitimate.

To request a review, go to the Airbnb Help Center, select your reservation, and choose "Contact us." Explain your situation clearly and provide any supporting documents (such as a doctor's note or government travel advisory) if you have them. Airbnb typically responds within 24 to 48 hours.

Canceling close to your check-in date

If you are canceling within a few days of your check-in date, your refund depends entirely on the host's policy. With a Flexible policy, you can still get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before check-in. With Moderate, Firm, or Strict policies, you may receive no refund or only a partial refund if you are within the cancellation window.

If you are in an emergency situation—such as illness, injury, or a family emergency—contact Airbnb support when ready rather than canceling through the app. Explain your situation and ask if they can review your case for a refund exception. Airbnb is more likely to make exceptions for genuine emergencies, especially if you contact them directly rather than straightforward canceling.

Some hosts are also willing to work with guests who cancel last-minute. You can message the host directly through Airbnb to explain your situation and ask if they would consider a partial refund or rebooking credit, even if the policy does not require it. Hosts are not obligated to agree, but many do in emergency situations.

Canceling a reservation with a co-host or group booking

If you booked through Airbnb's group booking feature or with a co-host arrangement, the cancellation process is the same: go to your reservations and click "Cancel reservation." The refund is still based on the host's cancellation policy. If multiple people are on the reservation, only the person who made the original booking can cancel it through the app.

If you are part of a group booking and another person made the reservation, you will need to ask them to cancel on your behalf, or you can contact Airbnb support to request a cancellation. Provide your name, the reservation number, and your reason for wanting to cancel. Support can help coordinate the cancellation if there is a dispute within the group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel an Airbnb reservation after check-in?

No, you cannot cancel a reservation after you have checked in. Once you are at the property, the reservation is active. If you need to leave early, contact the host directly to discuss options. Some hosts may offer a partial refund or credit for future stays, but this is at their discretion and not may provide by Airbnb's cancellation policy.

What if I cancel but the refund does not arrive after 10 days?

Contact your bank or payment provider first to confirm the refund has not been deposited. If your bank confirms no refund has arrived, go to the Airbnb Help Center, select your canceled reservation, and contact support with your reservation number. Airbnb can investigate the refund status and reissue the payment if needed.

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

Yes, you can cancel your current reservation and book a different property for the same dates. However, you will lose money if your original cancellation policy does not give you a full refund. Check the refund amount before you cancel, and only cancel if you are comfortable with the loss.

What if the host cancels instead of me?

If the host cancels your reservation, Airbnb automatically refunds your full payment regardless of the cancellation policy. You will also receive a travel credit equal to 50% of your booking amount that you can use for a future stay within one year.

Can I get a refund if I change my mind after canceling?

Once you confirm a cancellation, it cannot be undone through the app. If you change your mind when ready after canceling, contact Airbnb support right away and explain the situation. Support may be able to restore your reservation if the host has not yet accepted the cancellation and the dates are still available.