How to cancel your Airbnb reservation

You can cancel an Airbnb booking through the Airbnb app or website by going to your reservations, selecting the booking you want to cancel, and clicking the "Cancel reservation" button. The amount you get back depends on the host's cancellation policy and how close you are to your check-in date. Airbnb will show you the refund amount before you confirm the cancellation.

The cancellation takes effect when ready once you confirm it. Airbnb will send you a confirmation email with details of your cancellation and refund. If you booked through a third party like Expedia or Booking.com, you must cancel through that site instead, not through Airbnb directly.

Key Takeaways

  • You can cancel any Airbnb reservation through the app or website by finding your booking and selecting "Cancel reservation."
  • Your refund amount depends on the host's cancellation policy—some policies refund nothing if you cancel close to check-in, while others refund most or all of your money.
  • Airbnb shows you the exact refund amount before you confirm the cancellation, so you know what to expect.
  • If you booked through a third-party site like Expedia, you must cancel through that site, not through Airbnb.
  • Refunds typically appear in your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days, though this varies by bank and payment type.

Understanding Airbnb's cancellation policies

Airbnb has six standard cancellation policies that hosts can choose from: Flexible, Moderate, Non-refundable, Strict, Super Strict, and Long-term. Each policy sets different rules for how much money you get back depending on when you cancel relative to your check-in date.

Flexible policies refund your full amount if you cancel up to 24 hours before check-in. Moderate policies refund your full amount if you cancel up to 5 days before check-in, then refund 50 percent if you cancel between 5 days and 1 day before check-in. Non-refundable policies give you no refund no matter when you cancel, though Airbnb service fees are sometimes refundable. Strict policies refund your full amount only if you cancel more than 30 days before check-in. Super Strict policies refund your full amount only if you cancel more than 60 days before check-in. Long-term policies explore to stays of 28 days or more and have their own rules.

The host's cancellation policy is shown on the listing page before you book. You can also find it in your reservation details after you book. If you are unsure which policy applies to your booking, check your reservation page—it will show the exact refund amount you will receive if you cancel today.

Steps to cancel through the Airbnb app

Open the Airbnb app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap "Trips" to see all your reservations. Find the booking you want to cancel and tap on it to open the reservation details.

Scroll down and tap "Cancel reservation." Airbnb will show you the cancellation policy for that booking and the refund amount you will receive. Read the information carefully, then tap "Cancel reservation" again to confirm. You will see a confirmation message, and Airbnb will send you a confirmation email within a few minutes.

Steps to cancel through the Airbnb website

Log into your Airbnb account on a computer or mobile browser. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Trips." Find the reservation you want to cancel and click on it.

Click the "Cancel reservation" button. Airbnb will display the cancellation policy and your refund amount. Review the details, then click "Cancel reservation" to confirm. You will receive a confirmation email with your cancellation details and expected refund date.

What happens after you cancel

Once you confirm the cancellation, it is final. The host will be notified that you have cancelled, and the dates of your reservation will become available for other guests to book again. Airbnb will process your refund according to the cancellation policy shown at the time of cancellation.

Refunds are sent to your original payment method—the card, PayPal account, or other payment source you used to book. The refund typically appears within 5 to 10 business days, though some banks take longer to process the transaction. If you do not see the refund after 10 business days, contact Airbnb support through the app or website.

Cancelling a booking with a host who has a strict policy

If your host has a Strict or Super Strict cancellation policy, you may receive little or no refund if you cancel close to your check-in date. Before you cancel, check your reservation page to see the exact amount you will get back. Some hosts are willing to work with guests who need to cancel—you can message the host through Airbnb to explain your situation and ask if they will make an exception.

If the host agrees to cancel and refund you more than the policy allows, ask them to cancel the reservation themselves. When a host cancels, the refund rules are often more generous than when a guest cancels. Make sure you have this agreement in writing through the Airbnb messaging system before the host cancels.

If you booked through a third-party site

If you booked your Airbnb through Expedia, Booking.com, Vrbo, or another third-party travel site, you cannot cancel through Airbnb. You must cancel through the site where you made the booking. Log into that site, find your reservation, and follow their cancellation process. The refund policy and timeline may be different from Airbnb's standard policies.

Contact the third-party site's customer support if you have questions about your refund or if you cannot find the cancellation button. Some third-party sites charge their own fees on top of Airbnb's fees, and those fees may not be refundable depending on the site's policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel an Airbnb booking after I have already checked in?

No. Once you have checked in, you cannot cancel the reservation through the normal cancellation process. If you need to leave early, contact Airbnb support through the app or website to discuss your options. Airbnb may be able to help depending on your situation, but there is no may provide of a refund.

What if the host cancels instead of me?

If the host cancels your reservation, Airbnb will refund your full amount plus a credit for the full booking price that you can use toward another stay. This is true regardless of the cancellation policy. The refund is processed the same way as a guest cancellation—to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days.

Do I get back the Airbnb service fees if I cancel?

Airbnb service fees are refundable if the host's cancellation policy allows a refund. If the policy says you get 50 percent back, you will get 50 percent of the nightly rate plus a refund of the service fees. If the policy is non-refundable, the service fees are not refunded. Your reservation page shows the total refund amount including or excluding fees.

How long does it take to get my refund after I cancel?

Refunds typically appear in your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days. If you paid by credit card, your bank may take a few extra days to process the credit. If you do not see the refund after 10 business days, check your bank account or contact Airbnb support.

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

Yes, you can cancel your current booking and then search for the same property on different dates. However, the property may not be available on your new dates, or the price may be different. Cancel first only if you are sure you can find alternative accommodation, or message the host to ask if they will hold the dates you want before you cancel.