When Airbnb will refund your money

Airbnb refunds depend on the cancellation policy attached to the listing you booked. Most hosts set one of five standard policies: flexible (free cancellation up to one day before check-in), moderate (free cancellation up to five days before), firm (free cancellation up to 30 days before), strict (free cancellation up to 60 days before), or super strict (no refund after booking). If you cancel within the window your host's policy allows, Airbnb returns your payment to your original payment method automatically.

You can also request a refund if the host cancels on you, if the listing is materially different from what was advertised, or if there is a serious safety or cleanliness issue at the property. Airbnb does not refund you for minor inconveniences, bad weather, or changes of mind outside your host's cancellation window.

Key Takeaways

  • Your refund amount depends on the host's cancellation policy, which you can see before you book under the price breakdown.
  • If you cancel within the allowed window, Airbnb processes the refund automatically to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days.
  • You can request a refund outside the cancellation window if the host cancels, the listing is materially misrepresented, or there is a safety or cleanliness issue.
  • Disputes over refunds go to Airbnb's Resolution Center, where you upload evidence and Airbnb makes a final decision within 14 days.

How to cancel and get a refund within the policy window

Open the Airbnb app or website, go to your Trips, and find the reservation you want to cancel. Click "Cancel reservation" and confirm. Airbnb will show you the refund amount based on the host's policy and the number of days until check-in. The refund goes back to the payment method you used to book — the same credit card, debit card, or PayPal account.

Processing takes 5 to 10 business days. If you used a credit card, the refund appears as a credit on your statement. If you used PayPal, the money returns to your PayPal account. Airbnb service fees are not refunded, even if you cancel within the window.

What to do if the host cancels

If your host cancels the reservation, Airbnb automatically refunds your full payment, including service fees. You will receive a notification in the app and an email. The refund goes to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days.

Airbnb also offers you a rebooking credit equal to the amount you paid, which you can use toward another reservation within one year. You do not have to use it — you can take the refund instead. If you want the credit, accept it in the app before the important date Airbnb gives you.

Requesting a refund for a misrepresented or unsafe listing

If the listing does not match the photos or description — for example, the bedroom is actually a closet, or the "private apartment" is a shared room — you can request a refund even outside the cancellation window. The same applies if there is a serious safety hazard (broken locks, exposed wiring, no working heat) or a cleanliness issue that makes the space unlivable (mold, bedbugs, severe dirt).

Contact the host first through the Airbnb messaging system and give them a chance to fix the problem or offer a partial refund. Take photos or video of the issue. If the host does not respond or refuses, go to your Trips, find the reservation, and click "Get help with this reservation." Select the reason that matches your situation and upload your evidence.

Airbnb will review your case and either approve the refund, deny it, or offer a partial refund. The decision usually comes within 14 days. If you disagree with the outcome, you can appeal once.

Using the Resolution Center for disputes

The Resolution Center is where Airbnb handles refund disagreements. You reach it by clicking "Get help with this reservation" on the reservation page. Describe what went wrong, upload photos or screenshots, and explain what outcome you are seeking.

The host will see your case and can respond. You can go back and forth with the host or Airbnb for up to 14 days. If you and the host cannot agree, Airbnb makes a final decision and closes the case. That decision is binding — you cannot appeal it a second time.

Airbnb looks at the listing description, the photos you took, your messages with the host, and the cancellation policy. If the host clearly misrepresented the space or there was a genuine safety issue, Airbnb usually sides with you. If the issue is subjective — you did not like the neighborhood, or the bed was uncomfortable — Airbnb is less likely to refund you.

What happens if you paid with a credit card or bank account

Refunds go back to the payment method you used. If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears as a credit on your next statement, not as cash. If you paid with a debit card, the money returns to your bank account. If you used PayPal, the refund goes to your PayPal balance.

Processing takes 5 to 10 business days from the date Airbnb approves the refund. Your bank or credit card company may take an additional 1 to 3 business days to post it. If you do not see the refund after 10 business days, contact Airbnb support through the app or website and provide your reservation number.

Refunds for Airbnb credit and gift cards

If you booked with Airbnb credit or a gift card, the refund goes back into your Airbnb account as credit. You cannot convert it to cash. You can use it to book another stay, or you can contact Airbnb support and ask them to transfer it to a different Airbnb account if you have one.

If you received the gift card as a gift and no longer want to use Airbnb, Airbnb does not refund gift card balances to your bank account. Your only option is to use the credit on a future booking or give the account to someone else.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a refund from Airbnb?

Refunds take 5 to 10 business days from the date Airbnb approves them. Your bank or payment provider may take an additional 1 to 3 business days to post the money. If you cancelled within your host's policy window, Airbnb approves it automatically and the clock starts right away.

Can I get a refund if I cancel after the window closes?

No, unless the host cancels, the listing is materially misrepresented, or there is a safety or cleanliness issue. Cancelling outside your host's policy window means you forfeit your payment. Always check the cancellation policy before you book.

What if Airbnb denies my refund request?

You can appeal once through the Resolution Center. Provide additional evidence — more photos, messages with the host, or documentation of the problem. If Airbnb denies the appeal, the decision is final and you cannot dispute it further through Airbnb.

Do I get the Airbnb service fee back?

No. Airbnb service fees are not refunded, even if you cancel within the policy window or the host cancels on you. Only the nightly rate and any taxes are refunded.

Can I request a refund months after my stay?

No. You must request a refund within a reasonable time — typically within a few days of check-in if the issue was with the listing itself. If you wait weeks or months, Airbnb will deny the request because you had time to report the problem and did not.