When Airbnb will refund your money

Airbnb refunds depend on the cancellation policy attached to the listing you booked. The host sets this policy before you reserve, and it determines how much you get back if you cancel and when. Airbnb also refunds money if the host cancels, if the listing becomes unavailable, or if something goes seriously wrong with the property — but the amount and speed vary by reason.

The three standard cancellation policies are Flexible (full refund if you cancel up to one day before check-in), Moderate (full refund up to five days before, then 50 percent back), and Strict (50 percent back only if you cancel more than 30 days ahead). Some hosts use Super Strict or Non-refundable policies, which return little or nothing. The policy you agreed to is shown in your booking confirmation email and in the Airbnb app under the reservation details.

Key Takeaways

  • Your refund amount is set by the cancellation policy you saw before you booked, not by Airbnb's general rules.
  • If the host cancels or the listing becomes unavailable, you receive a full refund regardless of the policy.
  • If something is seriously wrong with the property when you arrive — no heat, no running water, major damage — you can request a refund through the Resolution Center within 24 hours of check-in.
  • Refunds to your original payment method take 5 to 10 business days after Airbnb approves them.
  • If Airbnb denies your refund request, you can appeal once with new information or evidence.

How to cancel and receive your refund

To cancel a reservation, open the Airbnb app or website, go to your Trips, select the booking you want to cancel, and tap "Cancel reservation." Airbnb will show you the refund amount based on your policy and the cancellation date. Confirm the cancellation, and Airbnb will send the refund to your original payment method — the card, PayPal account, or other source you used to book.

The refund processes automatically if you cancel within your policy window. You do not need to contact the host or Airbnb support unless something unusual happened. Check your bank or payment account 5 to 10 business days after you cancel. If the refund does not appear, log into Airbnb, find the reservation, and look for a "Resolution Center" or "Help with this reservation" button to track the status.

Refunds when the host cancels or the listing disappears

If the host cancels your reservation, Airbnb automatically refunds the full amount to your original payment method, regardless of the cancellation policy. You will also receive a message from Airbnb explaining the cancellation. The refund takes 5 to 10 business days.

If the listing becomes unavailable before your check-in date — because the host removed it, it was blocked by Airbnb, or it was taken down for a policy violation — you receive a full refund. Airbnb may also offer you a credit toward a future booking or help you find an alternative property in the same area at no extra cost. If you want the credit or alternative instead of a refund, you can request that through the Resolution Center.

Refunds for problems at the property

If you arrive at the property and find something seriously wrong — no heat in winter, no running water, major structural damage, a safety hazard, or a cleanliness issue that makes the space unlivable — you can request a refund through the Resolution Center. You have 24 hours from check-in to report the problem. Take photos or video of the issue, describe what is wrong, and explain why you cannot stay.

Airbnb will review your report and may ask you to give the host a chance to fix it, offer you a partial refund, or refund you fully and help you find another place. If the problem is severe enough that you leave when ready, Airbnb may refund the entire booking. If you stay despite the problem, your refund will be partial — Airbnb calculates it based on how much of your stay was affected.

Do not wait more than 24 hours to report. After that window, Airbnb treats the issue as a complaint about the host rather than grounds for a refund, and your options narrow.

What happens if Airbnb denies your refund request

If you request a refund outside your cancellation policy window and Airbnb denies it, you can appeal once. Go to the Resolution Center, find the case, and tap "Appeal this decision." You can submit new information, photos, messages from the host, or other evidence that supports your request. Airbnb will review the appeal and make a final decision.

Common reasons Airbnb denies refunds are: you cancelled within the refund window but after the important date set by your policy, the problem you reported happened after 24 hours, or the issue was not severe enough to make the space unlivable. If your appeal is also denied, Airbnb's decision is final and you cannot request another review through the app.

Disputing a refund through your payment method

If Airbnb denies your refund and you paid by credit card or debit card, you can contact your bank and file a chargeback — a formal dispute that asks your bank to reverse the charge. This is a last resort and should only happen if you believe Airbnb made a clear error or if the host committed fraud.

Be aware that filing a chargeback may result in Airbnb closing your account. Your bank will ask you to provide evidence: booking confirmation, messages with the host, photos of the problem, and Airbnb's denial letter. The process takes 30 to 90 days, and your bank decides whether to refund you. If you used PayPal, you can file a dispute through PayPal's Resolution Center instead.

Refunds for Airbnb service fees

When you cancel a reservation, Airbnb refunds the nightly rate and cleaning fee according to your policy, but service fees — the percentage Airbnb charges to process the booking — are usually not refunded. The service fee covers Airbnb's payment processing, customer support, and platform costs.

If you cancel within a Flexible policy, you lose only the service fee. If you cancel within a Moderate or Strict policy, you lose the service fee plus the portion of the nightly rate that the policy does not cover. Your cancellation confirmation email breaks down exactly what you are getting back and what Airbnb is keeping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I just changed my mind about the trip?

Only if your cancellation policy allows it. Flexible policies refund the full amount if you cancel up to one day before check-in. Moderate policies refund 50 percent if you cancel more than five days ahead. Strict and Non-refundable policies refund little or nothing for cancellations. Check your booking confirmation to see which policy applies to your reservation.

How long does it take to receive a refund?

Airbnb processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days of approving your cancellation or refund request. The time depends on your bank or payment provider — some take an extra few days to post the money to your account. If you do not see the refund after 10 business days, contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center.

What if the host is not responding to messages before my check-in date?

If the host does not respond and you cannot confirm the reservation details, you can cancel and receive a full refund regardless of the policy. Open the Resolution Center, explain that the host is unresponsive, and request a refund. Airbnb will review and usually approve it within 24 hours.

Can I get a refund if I lost my job and cannot afford the trip?

Only if your cancellation policy allows it. Personal circumstances like job loss do not override the policy you agreed to when you booked. If you have a Flexible or Moderate policy, you can cancel within the window and receive the refund that policy provides. If you have a Strict or Non-refundable policy, Airbnb will not refund you based on hardship alone.

What if the host charged me extra fees that were not in the listing?

If the host added fees after you booked — pet fees, late checkout fees, or other charges not shown in the original listing — you can dispute them through the Resolution Center. Explain what happened and provide screenshots of the messages or charges. Airbnb will investigate and may refund the unauthorized fees or allow you to cancel with a full refund.