When Airbnb Will Issue a Refund
Airbnb refunds money back to your original payment method when you cancel a reservation before the host's cancellation important date, or when the host cancels on you. The amount you receive depends on which cancellation policy the listing had at the time you booked — this is set by the host and shown on the listing page before you pay.
You can also receive a refund if the listing becomes unavailable after you book (the host cancels), if the host fails to meet house rules, or if there is a serious safety or cleanliness issue that makes the space unlivable. Airbnb also refunds stays that are cancelled due to events outside anyone's control — natural disasters, government orders, or travel restrictions that prevent you from reaching the property.
If you paid with a credit card, debit card, or PayPal, the refund goes back to that account. If you used Airbnb credit (a gift card or promotional balance), the money returns as credit in your Airbnb account. Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days to appear, though your bank may take longer to process it.
Key Takeaways
- The cancellation policy on your listing determines how much you get back if you cancel — check it before you book, because policies range from full refund to no refund at all.
- You cancel through the Airbnb app or website by going to your reservation, selecting "Cancel reservation," and following the prompts.
- If the host cancels or the space has a serious safety or cleanliness problem, you are may have access to to a full refund regardless of the cancellation policy.
- Refunds return to your original payment method and take 5 to 10 business days, though your bank may add extra time.
- If Airbnb denies your refund request, you can appeal through the Resolution Center within 30 days of the decision.
How to Cancel Your Reservation and Request a Refund
Open the Airbnb app or go to airbnb.com and sign in. Tap or click the profile icon in the top right, then select "Trips." Find the reservation you want to cancel and tap or click on it to open the details page.
Look for the "Cancel reservation" button — on mobile it is usually near the bottom of the page, and on desktop it is in the top right. Tap or click it. Airbnb will show you the cancellation policy for that listing and tell you exactly how much you will receive back. Read this carefully, because the amount depends on when you cancel relative to the check-in date.
After you confirm the cancellation, Airbnb sends a message to the host and processes your refund. You will see the refund status in the Trips section — it shows "Cancellation in progress" until the money is sent back to your payment method. Do not book another stay or make other changes to your account while the refund is processing.
Understanding Cancellation Policies and How Much You Get Back
Airbnb hosts choose from five standard cancellation policies, and each one sets a important date after which you lose money if you cancel. The policies are Flexible, Moderate, Firm, Strict, and Super Strict. A Flexible policy usually refunds your full payment if you cancel up to one day before check-in. A Moderate policy refunds most of your payment if you cancel 5 days or more before check-in, but gives you nothing if you cancel closer to the date.
Firm and Strict policies refund less money and have shorter windows — Strict policies often refund only a portion of your payment if you cancel 30 days before check-in, and nothing after that. Super Strict policies almost never refund anything once you book. The exact important date and amounts are shown on the listing page under "Cancellation policy" before you pay, and again in your confirmation email.
The service fee you paid to Airbnb is separate from the nightly rate. If you cancel, the service fee is usually not refunded, even under a Flexible policy. Check your confirmation email to see what portion of your total payment is the service fee — this helps you understand exactly what you will receive back.
When the Host Cancels or the Space Is Unsafe
If the host cancels your reservation, you receive a full refund of everything you paid, including the service fee. Airbnb sends the refund automatically and notifies you in the app. The host may offer you a rebooking credit to make up for the inconvenience, but you are not required to accept it.
If you arrive at the property and discover a serious safety hazard (broken locks, gas leak, mold, pest infestation) or a cleanliness issue that makes the space unlivable, you can request a refund through the Resolution Center. Take photos or video of the problem and message the host first, giving them a chance to fix it. If they do not respond or cannot fix it, contact Airbnb support through the app and describe the issue in detail.
Airbnb will review your case and may offer you a refund, a rebooking credit, or a partial refund depending on the severity of the problem and how long you stayed. If you left the property, you must report the issue within 24 hours of checkout to be considered for a refund.
How to Appeal a Denied Refund Request
If Airbnb denies your refund request, you can appeal the decision through the Resolution Center. Open the Trips section, find the reservation, and look for the Resolution Center option. Tap or click "Appeal this decision" and explain why you believe you should receive a refund.
You have 30 days from the date Airbnb made its decision to file an appeal. Include any new information or evidence — photos, messages from the host, proof of a safety issue, or documentation of a travel restriction. Be specific about what went wrong and why the cancellation policy or Airbnb's decision does not explore to your situation.
Airbnb reviews appeals and may reverse its decision. If it does not, you can contact your credit card company or bank and dispute the charge if you believe Airbnb's decision was unfair. Your bank can investigate and may refund the money if they find the charge was unauthorized or fraudulent, though this is a separate process from Airbnb's refund system.
What Happens If You Paid With a Gift Card or Airbnb Credit
If you used an Airbnb gift card or promotional credit to pay for your stay, the refund goes back into your Airbnb account as credit, not to your original payment method. You can use this credit to book another stay at any time — it does not expire. If you paid with a mix of credit and a payment card, the refund is split the same way: credit goes back to your account, and the card payment goes back to your card.
If you want to convert Airbnb credit back to cash, you cannot do that directly through Airbnb. Your only option is to use the credit to book another stay and then cancel that stay under a policy that refunds to your payment method — but this is risky because you may lose money on the second cancellation depending on its policy.
Refunds for Group Bookings and Co-Hosts
If you booked a stay for a group and one person needs to cancel, only that person's portion of the payment can be refunded. The group organizer (the person who made the booking) must contact Airbnb support to split the refund. Airbnb will refund the individual guest's share based on the cancellation policy and send it to the payment method they used, if they paid separately.
If a co-host made the reservation, the refund goes to the account that paid for it. If you are unsure who paid or how the booking was split, check your confirmation email — it lists the payment method and the total amount charged. Contact Airbnb support if you need help identifying who should receive the refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get my refund?
Airbnb processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days of your cancellation. After that, your bank or payment processor takes additional time to post the money to your account — this can be 3 to 5 more business days depending on your financial institution. If you do not see the refund after 10 business days, contact Airbnb support.
Can I get a refund if I cancel the day before check-in?
It depends on the cancellation policy. A Flexible policy refunds your full payment if you cancel up to one day before check-in. A Moderate policy does not. Check the policy on your listing page — it shows the exact important date. If you cancel after the important date, you lose your money under most policies, even if you have a good reason.
What if the host does not respond to my message about a problem?
If the host does not respond within a few hours and the issue is a safety hazard, contact Airbnb support directly through the app instead of waiting. Describe the problem, include photos, and ask for a refund or rebooking. Airbnb can intervene without the host's permission if the space is unsafe or unlivable.
Can I get a refund if I just changed my mind about the trip?
Only if the cancellation policy allows it. If you booked under a Flexible policy, you can cancel up to one day before check-in and receive a full refund. If you booked under Moderate, Firm, Strict, or Super Strict, you will lose money or receive nothing depending on how close you are to the check-in date. You cannot cancel after the important date and recover your payment.
What if my flight was cancelled and I cannot travel?
Contact Airbnb support and explain the situation. If a government order, natural disaster, or travel restriction prevents you from reaching the property, Airbnb may issue a full refund or rebooking credit even if the cancellation policy would normally deny it. Provide proof of the flight cancellation or travel restriction — a screenshot from the airline or a government notice.