How to cancel a reservation on Airbnb

You can cancel a reservation through your Airbnb Host Center on the desktop website or the Airbnb app. Go to your calendar, find the booking you want to cancel, click or tap it, and select "Cancel reservation." Airbnb will ask you to choose a cancellation reason from a list — pick the one that matches your situation. After you confirm, the cancellation takes effect when ready, though the guest will receive a notification and refund according to Airbnb's cancellation policy.

The refund the guest receives depends on when you cancel relative to the check-in date and your cancellation policy setting. If you cancel within 48 hours of check-in, the guest typically gets a full refund. If you cancel more than 48 hours before check-in, the refund follows your chosen policy — which might be flexible, moderate, or strict. Cancellations made by the host also affect your cancellation rate, which Airbnb tracks and may use when ranking your listing in search results.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancel through your Host Center calendar by clicking the reservation, selecting "Cancel reservation," and choosing a reason from Airbnb's list.
  • The guest's refund amount depends on your cancellation policy and how close the cancellation is to the check-in date.
  • Host cancellations count against your cancellation rate, which can lower your listing's visibility in search results.
  • If you have a legitimate emergency or safety concern, explain it in the reason field so Airbnb may not penalize your rate.
  • Once you cancel, the dates automatically return to your calendar as available unless you block them manually.

Understanding cancellation policies and guest refunds

Airbnb offers three host cancellation policies: flexible, moderate, and strict. A flexible policy means guests can cancel up to one day before check-in and receive a full refund. A moderate policy allows full refunds up to five days before check-in. A strict policy only gives full refunds if the guest cancels 30 days or more before arrival. When you cancel as the host, the guest's refund does not follow your policy — instead, Airbnb applies its own host-cancellation refund rules.

If you cancel more than 48 hours before check-in, the guest receives a full refund of all fees. If you cancel between 24 and 48 hours before check-in, the guest gets a full refund minus the service fee. If you cancel within 24 hours of check-in, the guest receives a full refund. These rules protect guests from last-minute host cancellations and are separate from the cancellation policy you set for guest-initiated cancellations.

How cancellations affect your host standing

Every time you cancel a reservation, Airbnb records it and calculates your cancellation rate — the percentage of your bookings you have cancelled over the past year. A high cancellation rate can lower your listing's ranking in search results, making it harder for new guests to find you. Airbnb does not publish an exact threshold, but hosts with cancellation rates above 5 percent may see reduced visibility.

Some cancellations hurt your rate less than others. If you cancel due to an emergency, safety issue, or a guest who violates house rules, explain this clearly in the cancellation reason field. Airbnb reviews these notes and may not count the cancellation against your rate if the reason is legitimate. Cancellations for vague reasons like "change of mind" or "personal reasons" always count against you.

Steps to cancel through the Airbnb app or website

On the desktop website, log in to your Host Center, click "Calendar," find the reservation you want to cancel, and click on it. A details panel will open showing the guest's name, check-in date, and booking details. Click the three-dot menu icon or "More options" button, then select "Cancel reservation." You will see a dropdown menu asking why you are cancelling — choose the reason that best fits your situation. Read the refund amount Airbnb will issue to the guest, then click "Cancel" to confirm.

On the Airbnb app, open the app, tap the profile icon at the bottom right, select "Hosting," then tap "Calendar." Find the booking on your calendar and tap it. Tap "Cancel reservation" at the bottom of the screen. Select your cancellation reason from the list, review the refund details, and tap "Cancel reservation" again to finish. The guest will receive a notification within minutes, and the dates will return to your calendar as available.

What happens after you cancel

Once the cancellation is confirmed, the guest receives a notification email and in-app message explaining that the host cancelled and showing the refund amount. The refund is processed to the guest's original payment method within five to ten business days, depending on their bank. You will also receive a confirmation that the cancellation went through, and the dates will show as open on your calendar.

If you do not want those dates to be bookable again when ready, you must block them manually. Go to your calendar, click the dates you want to block, and select "Block dates." You can add a note explaining why they are blocked (for example, "Cleaning" or "Personal use"), though guests will not see this note. Blocked dates will not appear in search results and cannot be booked.

Cancellation reasons Airbnb offers

When you cancel, Airbnb presents a list of reasons. Common options include "Host needs to cancel," "Maintenance or damage," "Safety concern," "Guest violated house rules," and "Booking error." Choose the reason that honestly describes why you are cancelling. If you select "Safety concern" or "Guest violated house rules," Airbnb may review your account to may support the reason is legitimate — false claims can result in warnings or account suspension.

"Booking error" is appropriate if you accidentally accepted a reservation or double-booked the dates. "Maintenance or damage" applies if something in your property broke and you cannot host safely. "Host needs to cancel" is a catch-all for personal reasons, but this reason always counts against your cancellation rate. Being specific and honest protects your account and helps Airbnb understand patterns in your hosting.

Avoiding unnecessary cancellations

The best way to protect your cancellation rate is to avoid cancelling in the first place. Before you accept a reservation, make sure your calendar is accurate and your property is available. If you are unsure about a guest, message them before accepting to ask clarifying questions about their stay. Once you accept, treat the booking as confirmed unless a genuine emergency or safety issue arises.

If you know you will need to block dates for maintenance, cleaning, or personal use, block them before you open those dates for booking. This prevents guests from reserving them and you from having to cancel later. If a guest messages with a request to change dates or cancel, you can suggest they cancel themselves — this way, the cancellation does not count against your rate, and they receive a refund based on your policy instead of Airbnb's host-cancellation rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will cancelling hurt my chances of getting bookings?

Yes, a high cancellation rate can lower your listing's ranking in search results. Airbnb does not publish an exact threshold, but rates above 5 percent may reduce visibility. One cancellation will not tank your ranking, but a pattern of cancellations will. If you have a legitimate reason, explain it in the cancellation reason field — Airbnb may not count it against your rate.

Can I cancel and rebook the same guest for different dates?

You can cancel the original reservation and ask the guest if they want to book a different date, but you cannot force them to. After you cancel, the guest receives a refund and can book elsewhere or rebook with you if they choose. There is no automatic way to transfer a booking to new dates — you must cancel the old one and the guest must make a new reservation.

What if I cancel and the guest disputes the refund?

If a guest disputes a refund after you cancel, they can contact Airbnb support to request a review. Airbnb will look at your cancellation reason and the timing of the cancellation. If your reason is vague or if you cancelled very close to check-in, Airbnb may side with the guest. Keep your cancellation reason honest and specific to avoid disputes.

Do I have to pay a fee to cancel?

No, there is no fee for you to cancel a reservation. However, you may lose the booking income, and the cancellation counts against your rate. The guest receives a refund according to Airbnb's host-cancellation rules, not your cancellation policy.

Can I cancel a reservation that is already in progress?

You can technically cancel a reservation after the guest has checked in, but this is unusual and Airbnb discourages it. If you need the guest to leave due to a safety issue or rule violation, contact Airbnb support when ready instead of cancelling through the normal process. Airbnb can help mediate the situation and may protect you from a negative review.