Cancel a Request Before the Host Responds

If you have sent a reservation request to a host and they have not yet accepted or declined it, you can cancel that request yourself through the Airbnb app or website. The host will see that you withdrew the request, and you will not be charged. This is the simplest cancellation scenario because no booking contract has formed yet—you are straightforward taking back an offer.

Open the Airbnb app or go to Airbnb.com and navigate to your Trips section. Find the pending request under "Awaiting Host Response" or a similar label. Tap or click the request, then look for a Cancel Request button. Confirm the cancellation when prompted. The request disappears from both your account and the host's inbox when ready.

Cancelling a pending request does not affect your account standing or future bookings. Hosts understand that plans change before they have accepted.

Key Takeaways

  • A pending request (one the host has not yet accepted) can be cancelled through your Trips section with no penalty or charge.
  • Once a host accepts your request and a booking is confirmed, you must use Airbnb's cancellation policy instead, which may result in a fee depending on how far in advance you cancel.
  • The cancellation policy is set by the host and ranges from flexible (free cancellation up to one day before) to strict (non-refundable).
  • If you cancel a confirmed booking, the host receives notice and can open those dates to other guests.
  • Contact Airbnb support if you cannot find the cancel button or if the host has already accepted and you need to understand your refund options.

Cancel a Confirmed Booking and Understand Refund Amounts

Once a host has accepted your request, the reservation becomes a confirmed booking. Cancelling a confirmed booking is different from cancelling a pending request—Airbnb's cancellation policy now applies, and you may lose part or all of your payment depending on when you cancel and what policy the host set.

Go to your Trips section, select the confirmed booking, and look for a Cancel Reservation button. Before you click it, Airbnb will show you exactly how much you will be refunded based on the host's cancellation policy and how many days remain until check-in. Read this refund estimate carefully—it tells you what you will actually receive back.

The host's cancellation policy is one of four types: Flexible (free cancellation up to one day before check-in), Moderate (free cancellation up to five days before), Firm (free cancellation up to ten days before), or Strict (non-refundable, though Airbnb may refund 50 percent if you cancel more than 30 days ahead). Some hosts also offer Super Strict policies with no refund at any time. You can see which policy applies to your booking before you confirm the cancellation.

What Happens When You Cancel a Confirmed Booking

When you cancel a confirmed booking, the host is notified when ready. They can then open those dates to other guests. Airbnb processes your refund to the original payment method within five to ten business days in most cases, though the exact timing depends on your bank or payment provider.

If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears as a credit to that card. If you used a debit card, the funds return to your bank account. If you used Airbnb credit (from a previous cancellation or a gift card), the refund goes back into your Airbnb account as credit you can use for future bookings.

Your cancellation does not affect your host rating or your standing as a guest, even if you cancel a confirmed booking. Hosts and guests can leave reviews only after a stay is completed, so a cancellation before check-in does not trigger a review.

Cancel Within Airbnb's Extenuating Circumstances Policy

Airbnb has a separate Extenuating Circumstances policy that may allow you to cancel with a full refund even under a strict cancellation policy if you experience a may have access to hardship. may have access to events include serious illness or injury, death in your family, natural disasters, government-issued travel bans, or other emergencies beyond your control.

To request a refund under this policy, go to your booking, tap Cancel Reservation, and select I'm experiencing a difficult situation or similar wording. Describe your situation and provide any supporting documents (a doctor's note, a death certificate, a government order, or news coverage of a disaster). Airbnb reviews these requests and decides whether to grant a full refund.

This process is not automatic. Airbnb may ask follow-up questions or request additional proof. Be honest and specific about what happened. If your request is denied, you can appeal once with additional information. This policy exists to protect guests in genuine emergencies, not to override cancellation policies for convenience.

What to Do If You Cannot Find the Cancel Button

In rare cases, the cancel button may not appear because the booking is too close to check-in, the host has a non-refundable policy with no exceptions, or the reservation has already been marked as checked in. If you cannot locate the cancel option in your Trips section, contact Airbnb support directly through the app or website.

Open the app, go to Account, then Help, and select your booking. Choose I need to cancel or a similar option. Describe your situation and ask whether cancellation is possible. Airbnb support can sometimes override policies in edge cases or provide clarity on why cancellation is not available.

Response times vary, but Airbnb typically replies within 24 to 48 hours. Have your booking confirmation number ready when you contact them.

Cancellation and Your Host Relationship

Cancelling a booking does not automatically damage your relationship with a host, but repeated cancellations may affect your ability to book with them in the future. Some hosts decline future booking requests from guests who have cancelled before, especially if the cancellation was close to check-in.

If you must cancel a confirmed booking, consider sending the host a message explaining why, especially if you are cancelling with short notice. A brief, honest explanation can help preserve your reputation as a guest. Hosts appreciate transparency and are more likely to accept a cancellation gracefully if they understand the reason.

If you are cancelling because of a problem with the listing (the photos do not match the actual space, the host is unresponsive, or the location is unsafe), document the issue and mention it when you contact support. Airbnb may refund you even under a strict policy if the host has misrepresented the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a request after the host has accepted it?

No. Once a host accepts your request, it becomes a confirmed booking and you must use the cancellation policy instead. You cannot straightforward withdraw the request. Go to your Trips section and select Cancel Reservation to proceed under the host's cancellation policy.

Will I get my money back if I cancel?

It depends on the host's cancellation policy and how far in advance you cancel. Flexible policies refund the full amount up to one day before check-in. Strict policies may refund nothing. Airbnb shows you the exact refund amount before you confirm the cancellation, so you will know what to expect.

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

Refunds typically appear in your original payment method within five to ten business days. If you paid with a credit card, it shows as a credit. If you used a debit card, the funds return to your bank account. Airbnb credit refunds go back into your account when ready and can be used for future bookings.

What if the host declines my cancellation request?

Hosts cannot decline a cancellation request. Once you cancel a confirmed booking through Airbnb, the cancellation is final. The host is notified but cannot reverse it. Your refund is processed according to the cancellation policy, regardless of the host's preference.

Can I cancel if my check-in date is tomorrow?

Yes, but your refund depends on the host's cancellation policy. If the policy is flexible, you may receive a full refund up to one day before check-in. If it is strict or non-refundable, you may lose most or all of your payment. Airbnb will show you the refund amount before you confirm the cancellation.