Airbnb refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days to reach your account after the host or Airbnb approves the request

The timeline depends on where the money is going. If you're getting a refund to the original payment method—a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account—Airbnb releases it within 5 to 10 business days. Your bank or card company then takes another 1 to 5 business days to post it to your account. If you're receiving Airbnb credit instead of cash, it shows up in your account when ready.

The clock starts when Airbnb or the host approves the refund, not when you request it. How long approval takes depends on the reason for the refund and whether the host agrees. A cancellation you make yourself may be approved when ready. A dispute over a damaged room or missing amenity can take weeks to resolve.

Key Takeaways

  • Refunds to your original payment method take 5 to 10 business days from Airbnb, then 1 to 5 more days for your bank to process.
  • Airbnb credit appears in your account when ready, but cash refunds cannot be rushed once approved.
  • The approval stage—not the payout stage—is usually where refunds get delayed, especially for host disputes.
  • Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a refund approved on Friday may not arrive until the following week.
  • If a refund does not arrive within 15 business days of approval, contact Airbnb support with your booking confirmation number.

When the clock starts: approval versus payout

Airbnb separates the approval stage from the payout stage. Approval is when Airbnb or the host agrees the refund should happen. Payout is when the money actually leaves Airbnb and heads to you. The 5 to 10 business day window only begins after approval is complete.

If you cancel a reservation yourself within Airbnb's cancellation window, approval is when ready—you see the refund status change to "approved" right away. If the host cancels, Airbnb usually approves it the same day. But if you're disputing a charge because the listing was misrepresented or the place was damaged, Airbnb's Resolution Center may take 7 to 14 days to investigate before approving anything.

Refunds to credit cards and debit cards

A refund to your original credit or debit card takes 5 to 10 business days from Airbnb's side. Once Airbnb sends it, your card issuer controls the rest. Most banks and card companies post refunds within 1 to 5 business days, but some take longer.

The exact timeline depends on your bank. Visa and Mastercard typically process refunds faster than smaller regional banks. If you used a debit card, the refund may take longer than a credit card because debit transactions hit your account directly. Check your bank's refund policy if you're waiting longer than expected—some banks hold refunds for fraud verification.

Refunds to PayPal and other digital wallets

If you paid with PayPal, Airbnb sends the refund to your PayPal account, and PayPal then transfers it to your bank. This adds an extra step. Airbnb's part takes 5 to 10 business days, PayPal's part takes 1 to 3 business days, and your bank takes another 1 to 5 business days. The total can reach 15 to 18 business days in slow cases.

You can check the status in your PayPal transaction history before it reaches your bank. If the refund shows as "completed" in PayPal but has not hit your bank account after 5 business days, contact your bank—the delay is on their end, not PayPal's or Airbnb's.

Airbnb credit refunds appear when ready

If you choose to receive your refund as Airbnb credit instead of cash, it shows up in your account balance when ready after approval. You can use it to book another stay right away. This is the fastest option if you plan to use Airbnb again soon.

Airbnb credit does not expire, so you can hold it as long as you want. It works on any Airbnb booking worldwide. If you later decide you want cash instead, you cannot convert credit back to a refund—the choice is permanent once you accept the credit.

Why refunds get delayed after approval

Even after Airbnb approves a refund, delays can happen on the payment processor's side. If you used a less common payment method—a regional bank, a prepaid card, or a payment service Airbnb does not process often—the refund may take the full 10 business days or longer. International refunds are slower because they cross banking networks.

Weekends and holidays do not count as business days. A refund approved on Friday afternoon may not start processing until Monday. If a holiday falls during the processing window, add extra days. During major holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving, some banks slow down refund processing.

What to do if your refund is taking too long

If 15 business days have passed since Airbnb approved your refund and the money has not arrived, open the Resolution Center in your Airbnb account and contact support. Have your booking confirmation number ready. Airbnb can check whether the refund actually left their system and, if it did, which payment processor is holding it up.

If your bank is the problem, Airbnb can provide a reference number to give your bank so they can track the refund on their end. Do not assume the refund is lost—most delayed refunds are straightforward stuck in a bank's processing queue and will arrive within a few more days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I speed up a refund once Airbnb approves it?

No. Once approved, the refund follows the standard 5 to 10 business day timeline. Airbnb cannot expedite it, and neither can your bank. Choosing Airbnb credit instead of a cash refund is the only way to get money back faster—it appears when ready.

Why does my refund show as approved but the money is not in my account?

Approved means Airbnb has released the refund, but your bank still needs to process it. This usually takes 1 to 5 business days. Check your bank's website or app to see if the refund is pending. If it shows as pending, it will post within a few days. If nothing appears after 10 business days, contact your bank.

Do refunds process on weekends?

No. Airbnb and banks do not process refunds on weekends or holidays. A refund approved on Friday will not start processing until Monday. If Monday is a holiday, it starts Tuesday. This can make the timeline stretch to 12 to 15 business days in some cases.

What if I paid Airbnb with a gift card?

Refunds for gift card payments go back to your Airbnb account as credit, not to the original payment method. You can use this credit to book another stay or contact Airbnb support to request a cash refund, though some gift card purchases cannot be refunded to cash.

Can I get a refund as a wire transfer instead of to my card?

No. Airbnb only refunds to the original payment method. If you paid with a credit card, the refund goes back to that card. You cannot change the refund destination once the refund is approved.