Cancel Your Booking Through the Airbnb App or Website
To cancel an Airbnb reservation, open the Airbnb app or go to airbnb.com and sign into your account. Tap or click the profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Trips" or "Reservations." Find the booking you want to cancel and open it. You will see a "Cancel reservation" button near the top of the reservation details page. Click it, and Airbnb will walk you through the cancellation process and show you how much of your payment you will receive back.
The entire cancellation happens online — you do not need to contact the host or Airbnb support unless something goes wrong. Once you confirm the cancellation, the host receives a notification that you have cancelled. Airbnb processes refunds to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days after the cancellation is confirmed.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel any Airbnb booking through the app or website by going to your Trips, finding the reservation, and clicking "Cancel reservation."
- How much money you get back depends on the host's cancellation policy and how close your check-in date is.
- Airbnb shows you the refund amount before you confirm the cancellation, so you know exactly what to expect.
- Refunds take 5 to 10 business days to appear in your original payment method after cancellation is confirmed.
- If you cancel within the host's grace period (usually 48 hours after booking), you typically get a full refund.
Understanding Cancellation Policies and Refund Amounts
Every Airbnb listing has a cancellation policy set by the host. This policy determines how much of your money you get back if you cancel. Airbnb offers several standard policies: Flexible, Moderate, Strict, and Super Strict. A Flexible policy usually lets you cancel up to one day before check-in and get a full refund. A Strict policy may only refund your money if you cancel more than 30 days before arrival.
Before you complete the cancellation, Airbnb displays the exact refund amount on the cancellation screen. This shows you what the host's policy means for your specific booking. If the number surprises you, you can step back and not confirm the cancellation. Once you confirm, the cancellation is final and you cannot undo it through the app.
Some hosts offer a grace period of 48 hours after you book — during this window, you can cancel for a full refund no matter what their standard policy says. Check the reservation details page to see if your booking has this grace period and when it expires.
What Happens After You Cancel
Once you confirm the cancellation, Airbnb sends a notification to the host when ready. The host cannot reverse your cancellation or force you to keep the booking. The listing becomes available again for other guests to book, usually within a few hours.
Your refund goes back to the payment method you used to book — the same credit card, debit card, or digital wallet. If you paid with a gift card, the funds return to your Airbnb account as a credit. Bank transfers and refunds to cards typically take 5 to 10 business days, though some banks hold the money for an additional 1 to 3 days before it shows in your account.
Airbnb sends you a confirmation email with the cancellation details and expected refund date. Keep this email in case you need to reference it later. If the refund does not arrive within 10 business days, you can contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center in your account.
Cancelling Close to Your Check-In Date
If your check-in is coming up soon, the host's cancellation policy becomes stricter. A Moderate policy might give you a full refund if you cancel 7 or more days before arrival, but only a 50 percent refund if you cancel 3 to 6 days before. A Strict policy may offer no refund at all if you cancel within 30 days of check-in.
Airbnb always shows you the refund percentage before you confirm. If you are cancelling very close to your arrival date, expect to lose some or all of your payment. The closer you are to check-in, the less the host is likely to be able to rebook the property, which is why their policy protects them with lower refunds.
If you have a genuine emergency and the host's policy would normally deny a refund, you can contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center and explain your situation. Airbnb has discretion to issue refunds in cases of extenuating circumstances, though this is not may provide.
Cancelling a Reservation You Have Not Paid For Yet
If you made a reservation but Airbnb has not yet charged your payment method, you can still cancel through the app. The cancellation process is the same — go to Trips, find the booking, and click "Cancel reservation." Since no charge has gone through, you will see a refund amount of zero or the full amount, depending on whether Airbnb has already processed the charge in the background.
Airbnb typically charges your payment method within 24 hours of booking. If you cancel before that charge goes through, you will not see any charge on your statement. If the charge has already posted, the refund will follow the host's cancellation policy.
What to Do If Cancellation Is Not Working
If the "Cancel reservation" button does not appear or you cannot complete the cancellation through the app, the booking may be non-cancellable under the host's policy or the cancellation window may have closed. Check the reservation details page to confirm the cancellation policy and the important date for cancelling with a refund.
If the button is missing or greyed out, try logging out and back in, or try cancelling from a web browser instead of the app. Sometimes a technical glitch prevents the button from appearing. If that does not work, contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center in your account and explain what you are seeing.
Airbnb support can sometimes override a strict cancellation policy if you have a legitimate reason — illness, family emergency, or a major change in your travel plans. They will not may provide a refund, but they will review your case. Explain your situation clearly and provide any supporting details.
Cancelling a Booking for Someone Else
If you booked a reservation for another person and now need to cancel, you can do so from your own account. Go to Trips, find the booking, and click "Cancel reservation." The refund will go back to the payment method you used, not to the guest. Let the guest know you have cancelled so they are not surprised when they try to check in.
If the guest wants to cancel instead, they will need to contact you or the host directly — they cannot cancel a booking made under your account. If you want to give them control, you can contact Airbnb support and ask about transferring the reservation to their account, though this is not always possible depending on timing and the host's policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel an Airbnb booking after I have already checked in?
No. Once you have checked in, the reservation is active and you cannot cancel through the normal process. If you need to leave early, contact the host directly to discuss your options. Some hosts may refund a portion of your stay if you leave early, but they are not required to. If there is a serious problem with the listing, contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center.
What if the host cancels on me instead?
If the host cancels your reservation, Airbnb refunds your full payment regardless of their cancellation policy. You will also receive a credit toward a future booking as compensation. The host must provide a reason for the cancellation, and Airbnb may penalize them if they cancel frequently.
Do I lose my Airbnb service fees if I cancel?
Service fees are refunded along with your nightly rate, but only if the host's cancellation policy allows a refund. If the policy says you get 50 percent back, you get 50 percent of the total including fees. Airbnb does not keep the service fee if you cancel within the refundable window.
How long does it take to see the refund in my bank account?
Airbnb processes the refund within 5 to 10 business days after you confirm the cancellation. Your bank may take an additional 1 to 3 business days to deposit it. If you do not see it after 10 business days, contact your bank first to confirm it has not arrived, then contact Airbnb support if needed.
Can I cancel and rebook the same property for different dates?
Yes, you can cancel one reservation and book another. However, you will lose money if the cancellation policy does not give you a full refund, and you may pay a higher nightly rate for the new dates. Check the new dates' pricing and the refund amount before you cancel the original booking.