When Airbnb will refund your booking

Airbnb refunds depend on which cancellation policy the host chose when they listed the property. The three main policies are flexible (full refund up to one day before check-in), moderate (full refund up to five days before, then 50% back), and strict (no refund after one day). Some hosts also offer non-refundable rates, which pay a discount in exchange for no money back at all. The policy appears on the listing page before you book, and Airbnb will honor it unless the host or the property violates the terms of service.

If the host cancels on you, or if the property is not as described, damaged, unsafe, or missing promised amenities, you may be refunded even under a strict policy. Airbnb also refunds if you cannot check in because of a problem on their end—a broken payment system, for example—or if local laws prevent the booking from going forward.

Key Takeaways

  • Your refund amount depends on the host's cancellation policy, which you can see before you book and is binding unless the host or property violates Airbnb's rules.
  • To request a refund for a cancellation you initiate, go to your Trips page, select the booking, and choose "Cancel reservation"—Airbnb will calculate what you get back based on the policy and the date.
  • If the property is not as described, unsafe, or the host cancels, contact Airbnb through the Resolution Center within 24 hours of discovering the problem, with photos or messages as proof.
  • Refunds to your original payment method take 5 to 10 business days after Airbnb approves them; if you paid with a credit card, your bank may take another few days to post it.
  • If Airbnb denies your refund request, you can appeal through the Resolution Center or file a chargeback with your credit card company, though chargebacks may result in account suspension.

How to cancel your own booking and see what you'll get back

Open the Airbnb app or website and go to your Trips page. Find the reservation you want to cancel and tap or click it. Select "Cancel reservation" and Airbnb will show you the refund amount based on the host's policy and how many days remain until check-in. Review the amount, confirm the cancellation, and Airbnb will process the refund to your original payment method.

The refund timeline depends on your payment method. If you paid with a credit or debit card, Airbnb sends the refund within 5 to 10 business days, but your bank may take another 3 to 5 days to post it to your account. If you used a digital wallet like PayPal or Google Pay, the refund may arrive faster. Airbnb will send you a confirmation email with the refund amount and expected arrival date.

Requesting a refund if the property doesn't match the listing

If you arrive and the property is missing amenities, is dirty, damaged, unsafe, or significantly different from the photos and description, contact Airbnb through the Resolution Center within 24 hours. Open your booking, select "Report a problem," and choose the issue that applies. Take photos or videos of the problem and include them in your report. Write a clear description of what you expected versus what you found.

Airbnb will review your report and may contact the host for their side. If Airbnb determines the property violated the listing or their standards, you may receive a full refund, a partial refund, or a credit toward a future booking. The decision can take several days. If you need to leave the property when ready because it is unsafe, tell Airbnb in your report and ask for help finding alternative accommodation—they sometimes cover a hotel night while they investigate.

What to do if the host cancels on you

If the host cancels your reservation, Airbnb will refund your full payment automatically and offer you a 50% discount code toward a rebooking. You do not need to request anything. The refund goes to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days. Airbnb will email you a confirmation and the discount code.

If the host cancels very close to your arrival and you have already paid for flights or other non-refundable travel, you can request additional compensation through the Resolution Center. Airbnb does not always grant these requests, but they consider them on a case-by-case basis. Include receipts for the travel costs you cannot recover and explain the impact of the cancellation.

Handling refund delays and payment method issues

If your refund does not arrive within 10 business days of Airbnb approving it, contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center and provide your booking confirmation number. They can check the status with your payment processor. Sometimes refunds are delayed because your bank flags them as unusual activity or because your card issuer is slow to post credits.

If you changed your payment method or closed the card you used to book, tell Airbnb when ready. Refunds must go back to the original card or account. If that card no longer exists, Airbnb may issue a credit to your account instead, which you can use toward a future booking or request to be converted to a refund through a different payment method.

Disputing a refund denial with your credit card company

If Airbnb denies your refund request and you believe they made a mistake, you have the right to file a chargeback with your credit card company. Contact your bank or card issuer and explain the dispute—that you paid for a service that was not delivered or did not match the description. Provide your booking confirmation, messages with the host, and photos of the problem. Your bank will investigate and may reverse the charge.

Be aware that filing a chargeback may result in Airbnb suspending or closing your account. Airbnb views chargebacks as a last resort and penalizes accounts that file them. Use the chargeback route only after Airbnb has denied your appeal through the Resolution Center and you have documented evidence that you are owed a refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I booked a non-refundable rate?

Non-refundable rates do not refund cancellations you initiate. However, if the host cancels, the property is unsafe, or it is significantly different from the listing, Airbnb will refund you even under a non-refundable rate. The policy protects the host from cancellations by guests, not from Airbnb's own rules about property standards.

What if the host is not responding to my messages about a problem?

Do not wait for the host to reply. Go directly to the Resolution Center, report the problem with photos, and let Airbnb handle it. Airbnb does not require the host's permission to refund you if the property violates their standards. Document everything in writing through the app so Airbnb has a record.

How long does it take Airbnb to decide on a refund request?

Airbnb typically reviews refund requests within 24 to 72 hours, though complex cases can take longer. They will email you their decision and the refund amount if approved. Once approved, the refund takes 5 to 10 business days to reach your payment method.

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

Only if your host's cancellation policy allows it. If you booked under a strict or non-refundable policy and straightforward do not want to go, Airbnb will not refund you. You can try messaging the host to ask them to cancel on your behalf, but they are not required to do so.

Will Airbnb refund me if I cannot travel because of illness or an emergency?

Airbnb does not have a blanket policy for illness or emergencies. Your refund depends on the host's cancellation policy. However, you can contact Airbnb through the Resolution Center, explain your situation, and ask them to consider a refund as a goodwill gesture. They sometimes grant partial refunds in these cases, but it is not may provide.