How to cancel your Airbnb reservation
You can cancel a reservation through the Airbnb app or website by going to your Trips, selecting the reservation, and clicking "Cancel Reservation." Airbnb will show you the refund amount before you confirm the cancellation—this amount depends on how far away your check-in date is and the host's cancellation policy. Once you confirm, the cancellation is when ready, though the refund itself takes three to five business days to return to your original payment method.
The cancellation process is the same whether you booked on mobile or desktop. You do not need to contact the host or Airbnb support to cancel unless something unusual happened—like a payment issue or a reservation that will not load. For most cancellations, the self-service button is the fastest route.
Key Takeaways
- Cancel through your Trips section in the Airbnb app or website; the refund amount appears before you confirm.
- How much money you get back depends on the host's cancellation policy and how many days before check-in you cancel.
- Refunds take three to five business days to reach your original payment method, not your Airbnb account.
- If you cancel within the host's free cancellation window, you receive a full refund minus Airbnb's service fee.
- Cancellations made close to check-in may result in a partial refund or no refund, depending on the policy you agreed to.
Understanding Airbnb's cancellation policies
Airbnb offers hosts several cancellation policy options, and the one attached to your reservation determines how much you get back. The most common policies are Flexible (free cancellation up to one day before check-in), Moderate (free cancellation up to five days before check-in), Strict (free cancellation up to 14 days before check-in), and Non-refundable (no refund after booking, though you may reschedule). Some hosts also offer Super Strict policies, which allow cancellation only up to 30 days before check-in.
When you book, Airbnb displays the host's policy clearly on the listing page and again in your confirmation email. The policy tells you the exact cutoff date and time for a full refund. If you cancel after that window closes, Airbnb calculates a partial refund based on how close you are to check-in—the closer the date, the less you receive. Non-refundable bookings return nothing except in rare cases where Airbnb determines the host violated the terms of service.
Your refund always excludes Airbnb's service fee, which is kept regardless of when you cancel. This fee is typically 3 percent of the nightly rate plus a booking fee that varies by location.
Step-by-step cancellation on 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 it to open the details page. Scroll down until you see the "Cancel Reservation" button and tap it.
Airbnb will display a summary showing the refund amount you will receive, the reason the refund is that amount (based on the cancellation policy), and the date the refund will arrive in your account. Review this information carefully. If the refund amount is correct, tap "Cancel Reservation" again to confirm. The cancellation is final once you confirm—you cannot undo it through the app.
If the "Cancel Reservation" button does not appear, the reservation may be too close to check-in or already in progress. In that case, contact Airbnb support through the app by tapping the message icon next to the host's name.
Cancelling through the Airbnb website
Log into your Airbnb account on a web browser and click "Trips" in the top navigation menu. Click the reservation you want to cancel to open its details page. Scroll down to find the "Cancel Reservation" button and click it.
The website will show the same refund summary as the app: the amount you will receive, why that is the amount, and when it will arrive. Confirm the cancellation by clicking the button again. The cancellation takes effect when ready, and you will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes.
When your refund arrives and where it goes
Refunds are sent to the original payment method you used to book—usually a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. Airbnb does not send refunds to your Airbnb account balance; they go directly back to your bank or payment provider. The refund typically appears in three to five business days, though some banks take longer to process incoming transfers.
If you do not see the refund after five business days, check your email for a confirmation message from Airbnb that includes a refund reference number. You can use that number to contact your bank and ask them to trace the transfer. Occasionally a refund is delayed because the payment method you used is no longer active—if you cancelled a card or closed an account, ask Airbnb support to send the refund to a different payment method instead.
Cancelling a reservation the host has already accepted
If the host has already accepted your booking, cancelling still works the same way through the app or website. The refund amount is still based on the cancellation policy and how close you are to check-in. The host receives a notification that you cancelled, but they cannot prevent the cancellation or reverse it on their end.
If you cancel very close to check-in and the host has already prepared the space or turned away other guests, they may send you a message asking you to reconsider. You are not obligated to rebook, but if you want to help the host, you can offer to keep the reservation or reschedule for a different date. Rescheduling keeps your payment with Airbnb and avoids a refund delay.
What to do if you cannot find the cancel button
The "Cancel Reservation" button may not appear if your check-in date is within 24 hours or if the reservation is already in progress. In these cases, contact Airbnb support directly. Open the app, go to your Trips, select the reservation, and tap the message icon next to the host's name. Explain that you need to cancel and ask Airbnb to process it manually.
You can also visit the Airbnb Help Center on the website, search for "cancel reservation," and click the option to contact support. Describe your situation and include the reservation number (found in your confirmation email). Support can cancel reservations that are too close to check-in, though the refund may be reduced or zero depending on the policy and how close you are to arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel after I have already checked in?
No. Once you check in, the reservation is considered active and cannot be cancelled through the normal process. If you need to leave early, contact the host directly to discuss your options. Some hosts may offer a partial refund as a courtesy, but Airbnb does not process refunds for stays already in progress.
What happens if I cancel a non-refundable reservation?
Non-refundable bookings return no money after you confirm the cancellation. Airbnb keeps the full payment. The only exception is if Airbnb determines the host violated the terms of service—for example, if the listing was misrepresented or the host cancelled on you first. In those cases, contact support with evidence.
Can I reschedule instead of cancelling?
Yes. Instead of cancelling, you can click "Modify Reservation" on the reservation details page and change your check-in and check-out dates. Rescheduling keeps your payment with Airbnb and avoids a refund delay. If the new dates are cheaper, Airbnb credits the difference to your account. If they are more expensive, you pay the difference.
Do I need to tell the host I am cancelling?
No. The host receives an automatic notification from Airbnb when you cancel, so you do not need to message them. However, if you are cancelling close to check-in, a brief message explaining why can be courteous and may help the host understand the situation.
What if my refund does not arrive after five business days?
Check your email for a refund confirmation from Airbnb that includes a reference number. Contact your bank with that number and ask them to trace the transfer. If the payment method you used is no longer active, contact Airbnb support and ask them to send the refund to a different card or account instead.