How to close your Airbnb account
You can close your Airbnb account by going to your account settings, selecting "Account" from the menu, scrolling to the bottom of the page, and clicking "Close account." Airbnb will ask you to confirm the action and may ask why you're leaving. Once you confirm, your account and all associated data will be deleted within 30 days.
The process takes about two minutes. You don't need to contact Airbnb support unless something goes wrong during the deletion, and there's no fee to close your account. However, there are a few things you should know before you start, especially if you have active bookings or outstanding payments.
Key Takeaways
- You must cancel or complete all active reservations before closing your account—Airbnb will not let you proceed if you have pending bookings.
- Any outstanding payments owed to Airbnb or refunds owed to you must be settled before the account closes.
- Your account data, including reviews, messages, and booking history, will be permanently deleted 30 days after you request closure.
- If you're a host, you must remove all active listings and resolve any guest issues before you can close your account.
What happens to your data when you close your account
When you close your Airbnb account, your profile, booking history, messages, and reviews are deleted permanently. This happens 30 days after you request closure, not when ready. During those 30 days, Airbnb keeps your information in case you change your mind or if there are unresolved disputes.
If you were a host, your listings, guest reviews about you, and your host rating all disappear. You won't be able to recover this information later, so if you think you might want to host again in the future, consider deactivating your listings instead of closing your account entirely. Deactivation keeps your data intact but hides your listings from search results.
Settling active bookings and payments before closure
Airbnb won't let you close your account if you have any active reservations. If you're a guest with an upcoming trip, you'll need to cancel the reservation first. If you're a host with guests currently booked, you must wait until their stay ends and any post-stay issues are resolved.
You also need to make sure all payments are settled. If you owe Airbnb money—from a cancellation fee, damage claim, or other charge—that balance must be paid before closure. Similarly, if Airbnb owes you money from a payout that hasn't processed yet, that will be sent to you before your account is fully deleted. Check your payment history in the Account section to see if anything is outstanding.
Deactivating instead of closing if you might return
If you're not sure you want to leave Airbnb permanently, deactivating your account is a middle option. As a guest, you can straightforward stop using the platform—your account will remain but inactive. As a host, you can deactivate your listings one by one from your listing management page, which hides them from search without deleting your data.
Deactivation is useful if you're taking a break from hosting or traveling, or if you want to keep your reviews and history in case you return later. You can reactivate a listing or your account at any time without losing your information. Closure, by contrast, is permanent and irreversible after 30 days.
Steps to close your account on mobile and desktop
On a computer: Log into your Airbnb account, click the profile icon in the top right corner, select "Account," scroll down to the bottom of the page, and click "Close account." Read the warning about permanent deletion, confirm your choice, and submit.
On the Airbnb app: Tap your profile icon at the bottom right, go to "Account," scroll to the bottom, tap "Close account," and confirm. The process is the same as on desktop, just adapted for mobile navigation.
After you submit, you'll receive a confirmation email. Your account will remain visible for 30 days in case you need to undo the closure. After 30 days, everything is gone and cannot be recovered.
What to do if you can't close your account
If the "Close account" button doesn't appear or you get an error message, you likely have an unresolved issue. The most common reasons are an active reservation, an outstanding payment, or a pending dispute or damage claim. Go back to your Account page and check for any alerts or warnings that explain what's blocking closure.
If you have a reservation coming up, cancel it first. If there's a payment issue, resolve it through your payment method or contact Airbnb support through the Help Center. If there's a dispute with a host or guest, that must be settled before you can proceed. Once everything is cleared, the close account option should become available.
Contacting Airbnb support if you need help
You can reach Airbnb support through the Help Center on their website or in the app. Go to "Help," search for "close account," and select "Contact us" if you need to speak with someone. Airbnb's support team can answer questions about what's preventing closure or help you resolve outstanding issues.
Response times vary, but Airbnb typically replies within 24 to 48 hours. If you're locked out of your account or can't access the close account option, support can help you regain access or manually process the closure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my account after I close it?
No. After 30 days, your account and all its data are permanently deleted. You cannot reopen it. If you want to use Airbnb again, you'll have to create a new account from scratch with a new email address.
What happens to my reviews and ratings after I close my account?
Your reviews and ratings are deleted along with your account. Guests or hosts who left you reviews will still see their own reviews, but your profile and your responses to them will be gone. This is permanent.
Do I lose money if I close my account?
You don't lose money just by closing your account. Any refunds owed to you will be processed before deletion. However, if you cancel reservations as a guest, cancellation fees may explore depending on the host's cancellation policy. Check the policy before you cancel.
Can I close my account if I have a pending payout?
Yes, but Airbnb will send your pending payout to your payment method before your account is fully deleted. Make sure your payment information is current so the money reaches you. You can check your payout status in the Account section before you close.
What's the difference between deactivating and closing my account?
Deactivating hides your listings or account from view but keeps your data intact. You can reactivate anytime. Closing permanently deletes everything after 30 days and cannot be undone. Choose deactivation if you might return, and closure only if you're certain you're done with Airbnb.