How to cancel your Airbnb reservation
You can cancel an Airbnb reservation through the app or website by going to your reservations, selecting the booking you want to cancel, and clicking the cancel button. The amount of money you get back depends on the host's cancellation policy and how close you are to 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. If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears as a credit on that card. If you used a gift card balance, the money returns to your Airbnb account as a credit you can use for future bookings.
Key Takeaways
- Cancellation policies vary by host and determine how much money you receive back, ranging from full refund to no refund at all.
- You can cancel through the Airbnb app or website by selecting your reservation and clicking cancel — no phone call or email to the host is required.
- Airbnb shows your refund amount before you confirm cancellation, so you know exactly what you will receive.
- Refunds process to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days, though some credit card companies take longer to post the credit.
- If you cancel within the host's free cancellation window, you receive a full refund minus any Airbnb fees that were non-refundable.
Understanding Airbnb's cancellation policies
Every Airbnb listing displays the host's cancellation policy before you book. The policy determines what percentage of your money you get back if you cancel. Airbnb offers five standard policies: flexible, moderate, firm, strict, and super strict. A flexible policy usually refunds your full amount if you cancel up to one day before check-in. A moderate policy typically allows a full refund up to five days before arrival. Firm policies often require cancellation at least 10 days in advance for a full refund, and strict policies may only refund 50 percent of the nightly rate if you cancel within 30 days of check-in.
Some hosts set custom policies that differ from these standard options. Always read the specific policy listed on the listing page before you book, because once you confirm the reservation, that policy is what applies to your cancellation. The policy appears in the listing details under "Cancellation policy" — you do not have to guess or contact the host to find out.
Airbnb service fees are usually non-refundable, even if the host's policy would otherwise refund your full nightly rate. The service fee is the percentage Airbnb charges on top of the nightly rate, and it stays with Airbnb regardless of whether you cancel. This means if you paid $100 per night plus a $15 service fee and cancel within a full-refund window, you get back $100 but keep the $15 fee.
How to cancel through the Airbnb app
Open the Airbnb app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Select "Trips" to see all your current and past reservations. Find the reservation you want to cancel and tap on it to open the booking details. Scroll down until you see the "Cancel reservation" button and tap it.
A screen will appear showing your cancellation policy and the refund amount you will receive. Read this carefully to confirm you understand what you are getting back. Tap "Cancel reservation" again to confirm. Airbnb will ask you why you are cancelling — this is optional feedback for the host, but you can skip it. Once you confirm, the cancellation is complete and the host is notified when ready.
How to cancel through the Airbnb website
Go to Airbnb.com and sign into your account. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Trips." Find the reservation you want to cancel and click on it. Scroll down to find the "Cancel reservation" button and click it.
A window will pop up showing your cancellation policy and the exact refund amount. Review this information before proceeding. Click "Cancel reservation" to confirm. You will be asked to provide a reason for cancellation, which is optional. Once you click the final confirmation, the cancellation is processed and the host receives notification.
What happens after you cancel
The host sees that you have cancelled within minutes of your action. If the cancellation falls within their free cancellation window, they may when ready relist the dates you were going to occupy. If you cancelled close to your check-in date and the policy does not fully refund you, the host keeps the portion of the payment that their policy allows them to keep.
Your refund processes to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days. If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears as a credit on your statement, though your credit card company may take an additional 3 to 5 business days to post it. If you used an Airbnb gift card or account credit, the refund returns to your Airbnb account when ready and you can use it for future bookings right away.
You will receive an email confirmation of your cancellation from Airbnb. This email includes the reservation details, the cancellation date, and the refund amount. Keep this email for your records in case you need to reference the transaction later.
Cancelling when the host has already declined
If a host declines your reservation before you cancel, you do not need to take any action. The reservation is automatically cancelled and you receive a full refund to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days. Airbnb will send you a notification and email explaining that the host declined your booking.
If a host declines your reservation close to your check-in date, you may want to contact Airbnb support to see if they can help you find an alternative listing. While Airbnb does not may provide a replacement, support agents sometimes offer travel credits or other options if a cancellation happens on their platform's side.
What to do if you cannot cancel online
If the cancel button does not appear in your app or on the website, the reservation may have already started or the cancellation window may have closed. Some reservations cannot be cancelled once check-in has begun. In this case, you will need to contact Airbnb support directly through the app or website to discuss your situation.
Go to the reservation details page and scroll to the bottom. You will see a "Get help" or "Contact host" option. Select "Get help" to open a support chat with Airbnb. Explain your situation and ask whether the reservation can still be cancelled. Support agents can sometimes override policies in specific circumstances, though this is not may provide. Response times vary, but Airbnb typically replies within a few hours during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel an Airbnb reservation after check-in has started?
No, you cannot cancel a reservation once you have checked in. If you need to leave early, contact the host directly to discuss your options. Some hosts may agree to a partial refund or release you from the booking, but this is entirely up to them and is not covered by Airbnb's cancellation policies.
What if the host cancels on me?
If the host cancels your reservation, you receive a full refund plus a travel credit equal to 50 percent of the nightly rate for each night of the cancelled stay. You can use this credit toward any Airbnb booking within one year. Airbnb sends you an email with instructions on how to claim the credit.
Do I lose my money if I cancel within 24 hours of check-in?
It depends on the host's cancellation policy. If the policy is flexible, you can still cancel up to one day before check-in and receive a full refund. If the policy is moderate or stricter, you may lose some or all of your payment. Always check the specific policy before booking to understand what happens if you need to cancel last-minute.
How long does it take to get my refund after cancelling?
Airbnb processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days to your original payment method. Credit card companies may take an additional 3 to 5 business days to post the credit to your account. If you used Airbnb credit or a gift card, the refund appears in your account when ready.
Can I cancel and rebook the same dates with a different host?
Yes, you can cancel one reservation and book a different listing for the same dates. However, you will only receive a refund based on the original host's cancellation policy. If that policy does not offer a full refund, you will lose money on the first booking even if you rebook elsewhere.