How to Cancel Your Airbnb Reservation
You can cancel an Airbnb booking through the Airbnb app or website by going to your Trips, selecting the reservation, and clicking the "Cancel" button. The amount you get back depends on when you cancel relative to the host's cancellation policy and your check-in date. Airbnb shows you the refund amount before you confirm the cancellation, so you will know exactly what to expect.
The cancellation takes effect when ready once you confirm it. The host receives a notification that you have cancelled, and Airbnb processes the refund to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days in most cases. If you booked through a third party like Expedia or Booking.com, you must cancel through that site instead, not through Airbnb directly.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel any reservation before check-in, but the refund amount depends on the host's cancellation policy and how close you are to your arrival date.
- Airbnb shows you the exact refund amount on the cancellation screen before you confirm, so there are no surprises.
- Refunds process to your original payment method in 5 to 10 business days, though some payment methods take longer to show the credit.
- If you booked through a third-party site like Expedia, you must cancel there, not on Airbnb.
- Hosts can also cancel on you, and the refund rules are different depending on whether they cancel with or without a valid reason.
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 policy types: Flexible, Moderate, Firm, Strict, and Super Strict. Each one has different refund windows and amounts.
A Flexible policy refunds your full amount if you cancel up to one day before check-in. A Moderate policy gives you a full refund if you cancel at least three days before arrival. A Firm policy requires you to cancel at least five days early for a full refund. A Strict policy only refunds 50 percent of the nightly rate if you cancel within 30 days of check-in. A Super Strict policy refunds nothing if you cancel within 60 days of arrival.
You can see the host's policy on the listing page before you book. The policy is also listed in your confirmation email and in the Trips section of your account. When you click Cancel, Airbnb calculates your refund based on that policy and the current date, then shows you the amount before you finalize the cancellation.
Steps to Cancel Through the Airbnb App or Website
Open the Airbnb app or go to airbnb.com and sign in to your account. Tap or click the profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Trips." Find the reservation you want to cancel and tap or click on it to open the booking details.
Scroll down and look for a button that says "Cancel reservation" or "Cancel booking." Tap or click it. Airbnb will show you a summary of the cancellation, including the refund amount you will receive and the date the refund will process. Review this information carefully. If the refund amount is correct, tap or click "Cancel reservation" again to confirm. The cancellation is now complete.
You will receive a confirmation email from Airbnb within a few minutes. The host will also receive a notification that you have cancelled. Do not contact the host asking them to cancel on their end — this can cause confusion and delays. Your cancellation through the app or website is the official record.
What Happens When a Host Cancels on You
If a host cancels your reservation, the refund rules are different from when you cancel. If the host cancels without a valid reason (called a "non-emergency cancellation"), Airbnb refunds your full amount plus a credit equal to 50 percent of what you paid. This credit can be used toward a future booking within one year.
If the host cancels for a valid reason — such as a death in the family, a natural disaster, or a serious illness — they can cancel without penalty, and you receive a full refund but no additional credit. In either case, the refund goes to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days.
If a host cancels within 30 days of your check-in date, you may also be offered a rebooking credit to help you find another place. Airbnb will notify you of this credit in the cancellation email. You have one year to use the credit on any Airbnb listing.
Refund Timing and Payment Methods
Airbnb processes refunds to the payment method you used to book. If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears as a credit to that card within 5 to 10 business days. If you paid with a debit card, the timeline is the same, but your bank may take an additional 3 to 5 business days to post the credit to your account. If you paid with PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or another digital wallet, the refund goes back to that account in the same timeframe.
In rare cases, refunds can take longer. If your bank or payment processor is slow to process credits, or if there is a dispute on your account, the refund may take up to 30 days. You can check the status of your refund by going to your Trips, selecting the cancelled reservation, and scrolling to the refund details section. This section shows the refund amount and the expected processing date.
If you do not see the refund after 10 business days, contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center in your account. Have your booking confirmation number and the cancellation date ready. Airbnb support can investigate the refund and push it through if there is a delay on their end.
Cancelling a Booking Made Through a Third-Party Site
If you booked your Airbnb through Expedia, Booking.com, Vrbo, or another third-party travel site, you cannot cancel through Airbnb. You must cancel through the site where you made the booking. The cancellation policy and refund timeline are set by that third-party site, not by Airbnb, so the rules may be different.
Log in to the third-party site, find your reservation, and look for a Cancel button. Follow the site's cancellation process. The refund will go back to the payment method you used on that site. If you have questions about the refund amount or timeline, contact the third-party site's customer support, not Airbnb. Airbnb does not process cancellations or refunds for bookings made elsewhere.
Common Reasons Cancellations Get Delayed or Denied
Airbnb rarely denies a cancellation request, but a few situations can cause delays. If you try to cancel after your check-in date has passed, the system will not allow it — you would need to contact Airbnb support to discuss a refund for a stay that already happened. If your account has a dispute or chargeback filed against it, Airbnb may hold the refund pending resolution of that dispute.
If you cancel and then rebook the same listing with the same host within 24 hours, Airbnb may treat this as a modification rather than a cancellation, which can affect your refund. If the host's cancellation policy is Super Strict and you are within 60 days of check-in, you will receive no refund — this is the policy you agreed to when you booked, and Airbnb cannot override it.
If you believe your cancellation was processed incorrectly or your refund did not arrive, open the Resolution Center in your account and describe the issue. Airbnb support will review your booking and the cancellation policy to determine whether an adjustment is warranted. This process usually takes 3 to 5 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel an Airbnb booking after check-in?
No, you cannot use the Cancel button after you have checked in. If you need to leave early and want a refund for the unused nights, contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center and explain your situation. Support will review your case and may issue a partial refund at their discretion, but this is not may provide.
What if the host cancels on me close to my check-in date?
If a host cancels within 30 days of your arrival without a valid reason, you receive a full refund plus a 50 percent rebooking credit. Airbnb will also offer to help you find another place to stay. If the host cancels for a valid emergency reason, you get a full refund but no additional credit.
How long does it take to get my refund after I cancel?
Airbnb processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days to your original payment method. Your bank or payment processor may take an additional 3 to 5 business days to post the credit, so the full timeline can be 10 to 15 business days from the cancellation date.
Can I cancel for free no matter what the policy says?
No. The host's cancellation policy is binding, and you agreed to it when you booked. If you cancel outside the refund window, you will not receive money back. The only exception is if Airbnb determines the listing was misrepresented or if there is a serious issue with the property.
What if I cancel but the host refuses to acknowledge it?
The host's acknowledgment does not matter. Once you click Confirm on the cancellation screen, your booking is cancelled in Airbnb's system and your refund is processed. The host receives a notification, but their response does not affect the cancellation or the refund. If the host tries to charge you or disputes the cancellation, contact Airbnb support when ready.