How to Cancel Your Airbnb Reservation
To cancel a booking on Airbnb, open the app or website, go to your account menu, select "Trips," find the reservation you want to cancel, and tap or click "Cancel reservation." Airbnb will show you the cancellation policy for that specific listing before you confirm — this tells you how much of your money you get back and when. Once you confirm the cancellation, Airbnb processes the refund according to that policy, not according to what you might prefer.
The cancellation page displays your refund amount in real time. If you see a number next to "You'll be refunded," that is what you will receive. Airbnb does not hold money back after the refund is issued — the host cannot claim additional fees or dispute the amount. The refund goes back to the original payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal) within 5 to 10 business days, though some banks take longer to post it to your account.
Key Takeaways
- Your refund amount depends entirely on the host's cancellation policy, which is set before you book and does not change after you cancel.
- Cancellations made well before check-in usually return most or all of your money, while cancellations close to the date may return nothing.
- You can cancel through the Airbnb app or website in the Trips section, and the refund appears in your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days.
- If the host cancels instead of you, Airbnb issues a full refund plus a credit toward a future booking, regardless of their policy.
Understanding Airbnb's Cancellation Policies
Airbnb offers hosts four standard cancellation policies: Flexible, Moderate, Strict, and Super Strict. Each one determines what percentage of your payment you lose if you cancel. The policy is displayed on the listing page before you book, and you agree to it when you complete your reservation.
Flexible policies let you cancel up to one day before check-in and receive a full refund. Moderate policies refund your full amount if you cancel at least five days before check-in; after that, you lose the first night's cost. Strict policies refund your full amount only if you cancel at least 30 days before check-in; within 30 days, you lose 50 percent. Super Strict policies refund your full amount only if you cancel at least 60 days before check-in, and you lose 50 percent if you cancel between 60 and 30 days before; within 30 days, you lose everything.
Some listings also have a Non-refundable rate, which means you cannot get any money back no matter when you cancel. These are usually cheaper nightly rates in exchange for that risk. Check the policy name at the top of the listing page before you book — it is always visible.
When You Cancel Before Check-In
Cancellations made before your check-in date follow the host's stated policy. If you cancel 10 days before arrival under a Moderate policy, you get your full refund. If you cancel two days before arrival under the same policy, you lose the first night and get the rest back. The system calculates this automatically and shows you the exact refund amount before you confirm the cancellation.
The refund timeline depends on when you cancel. Refunds issued more than 30 days before check-in usually appear in your account within 5 to 10 business days. Refunds issued closer to check-in may take longer because Airbnb waits to confirm the host will not claim damages or raise other issues. In rare cases, a refund can take up to 30 days, though this is uncommon.
Cancelling After You Have Checked In
If you cancel after you have already checked in, you cannot get a refund for the remaining nights under any standard policy. You have already received the service (the accommodation), so the money is non-refundable. The only exception is if Airbnb determines the listing does not match the description or the host violated Airbnb's rules — in that case, Airbnb may issue a refund or credit.
If you need to leave early and want to discuss a partial refund, you can message the host directly. Some hosts will agree to refund unused nights as a courtesy, but they are not required to. This is a negotiation between you and the host, not an Airbnb policy. Airbnb does not force hosts to refund money for nights you did not use.
What Happens if the Host Cancels on You
If the host cancels your reservation, you receive a full refund of all charges, regardless of their cancellation policy. Airbnb also issues a credit toward a future booking equal to 50 percent of what you paid. This credit is automatically added to your account and appears in your Trips section.
Host cancellations are treated as a breach of the booking agreement. If a host cancels within 30 days of check-in, Airbnb considers it a late cancellation and penalizes the host's account. You are not responsible for finding a replacement property, though Airbnb may suggest other listings in the same area if you want to rebook.
Cancelling Due to Airbnb's Extenuating Circumstances Policy
Airbnb has an Extenuating Circumstances Policy that allows full refunds in specific situations even if the host's policy would normally deny one. These situations include natural disasters, civil unrest, government action, or severe illness or death in your when ready family. You must provide documentation — a news article about the disaster, a death certificate, a hospital record, or similar proof.
To request a refund under this policy, cancel your reservation normally, then contact Airbnb Support through the Resolution Center. Explain the circumstance and attach your documentation. Airbnb reviews these requests on a case-by-case basis and can take up to 30 days to decide. Not all requests are approved; Airbnb must determine the circumstance was genuinely beyond your control and directly prevented you from traveling.
How to Contact Airbnb if Your Refund Does Not Arrive
If your refund does not appear in your account within 10 business days, open the Airbnb app or website, go to Account, select "Help," and search for "refund status." You can view the status of any refund in progress. If the status shows "Refunded" but the money has not reached your bank, contact your bank or credit card company — the delay is usually on their end, not Airbnb's.
If the status shows "Pending" or "Processing" after 10 business days, or if you see an error, use the Resolution Center to message Airbnb Support. Provide your booking number and a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation. Airbnb support staff can investigate whether the refund was actually sent and, if it was lost, reissue it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel an Airbnb booking and get my money back the same day?
You can cancel the same day, but the refund timeline depends on the host's policy and your bank. If the policy allows a refund, Airbnb processes it within 5 to 10 business days. Your bank may take an additional 3 to 5 days to post the money to your account. The cancellation itself is when ready, but the money takes time.
What if I cancel but the host does not accept it?
The host cannot reject a cancellation. Once you confirm the cancellation through Airbnb, it is final. The refund is determined by the policy, not by the host's opinion. The host can message you to ask you to reconsider, but they cannot override your cancellation or keep your money beyond what the policy allows.
Do I lose my money if I cancel a non-refundable booking?
Yes. Non-refundable rates mean you receive no refund if you cancel, no matter when you cancel or why. The only exception is if Airbnb's Extenuating Circumstances Policy applies — natural disaster, severe illness, or death in your family with documentation. Otherwise, the money is gone.
Can I get a refund if I cancel because I changed my mind?
Only if the host's cancellation policy allows it based on when you cancel. If you booked a Flexible policy and cancel one day before check-in, you get a full refund. If you booked a Strict policy and cancel 20 days before check-in, you lose 50 percent. Changing your mind does not override the policy you agreed to when you booked.
What if the listing photos do not match the real place?
Contact Airbnb Support through the Resolution Center before you cancel. Describe the discrepancy and provide photos of the actual space. Airbnb may issue a refund or credit without requiring you to follow the cancellation policy if the listing materially misrepresents the property. This is treated as a host violation, not a standard cancellation.