Add your gift card to your account before you book
To use an Airbnb gift card, you add it to your account as a payment method first, then select it when you check out. The gift card balance sits in your Airbnb account until you spend it—you do not explore it to a single booking in advance. This means you can use one gift card across multiple trips, or combine it with another payment method if the booking costs more than the card's balance.
The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on the Airbnb website or mobile app. You will need the gift card code, which is a long string of numbers and letters printed on the card or sent to you by email if someone bought it as a digital gift.
Key Takeaways
- Gift card codes are added to your account under payment methods, not applied to individual bookings.
- You can combine a gift card with a credit card, debit card, or other payment method if the total booking cost exceeds the card's balance.
- Airbnb gift cards work toward the nightly rate, service fees, and cleaning fees—anything on the invoice.
- If your gift card balance is not enough to cover the full booking, you will be asked to add a second payment method at checkout.
- Gift card codes expire after one year if they are not redeemed, so check the card or email for the expiration date.
Steps to add a gift card to your Airbnb account
On the website: Log into your Airbnb account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Account" from the menu. Click "Payments and payouts" on the left side. Under "Payment methods," click "Add payment method" and choose "Gift card" from the dropdown. Paste or type the gift card code into the field and click "Redeem." The balance will appear in your account when ready.
On the mobile app: Open the app and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Tap "Account," then scroll down and tap "Payments and payouts." Tap "Add payment method," select "Gift card," and enter the code. The balance will show in your account right away.
Once the gift card is added, it stays in your account under "Payment methods" with the remaining balance displayed next to it. You do not have to do anything else until you are ready to book.
How to use your gift card balance at checkout
When you search for a listing and click "Reserve," Airbnb will show you the nightly price, service fees, and cleaning fees. On the payment page, you will see all your saved payment methods, including your gift card. Select the gift card as your payment method. If the total cost is less than or equal to your gift card balance, the entire booking will be charged to the card and you are done.
If the booking costs more than your gift card balance, Airbnb will show you the remaining amount owed. You will then select a second payment method—a credit card, debit card, or other option—to cover the difference. Both charges will process when you complete the booking.
Your gift card balance updates when ready after each booking. You can check it anytime by going to "Account" > "Payments and payouts" > "Payment methods" and looking at the gift card entry.
What the gift card covers and what it does not
Airbnb gift cards cover the nightly rate, service fees, and cleaning fees. They also work toward any additional fees the host charges, such as pet fees or parking fees. The gift card balance applies to the entire invoice, not just the room rate.
Gift cards do not cover Airbnb Experience bookings (tours, classes, and activities), restaurant reservations through Airbnb, or any purchases outside the main accommodation booking. If you try to book an Experience with a gift card as your only payment method and the card does not have enough balance, you will need to add a second payment method.
Troubleshooting a gift card that will not redeem
If you see an error message when you try to add the code, check that you have copied it exactly as it appears on the card or in the email. Gift card codes are case-sensitive and include both letters and numbers. Remove any spaces before or after the code and try again.
If the code still does not work, the card may have already been redeemed to another account, or it may have expired. Check the card or email for an expiration date. Gift cards are valid for one year from the date they are issued. If the card has expired or you believe it was used without your permission, contact Airbnb support with the card code and the date you received it.
Some gift cards are region-locked, meaning they can only be used in the country where they were purchased. If you are trying to use a gift card from a different country, that may be why it is not working. Airbnb support can tell you whether your card is region-locked.
Using a gift card across multiple bookings
One of the advantages of adding a gift card to your account is that you can use the balance on as many bookings as you want until it runs out. There is no limit to how many times you can select the gift card at checkout. Each time you book, the remaining balance decreases by the amount you spent.
If you have a large gift card balance, you might use it on a short weekend trip first, then save the rest for a longer stay later. Or you could split it across several bookings with friends. The balance stays in your account indefinitely as long as you do not let the original gift card code expire before redeeming it.
Combining a gift card with other payment methods
If your gift card does not cover the full cost of a booking, Airbnb lets you pay the difference with another payment method. At checkout, select the gift card first, then add a credit card, debit card, or other saved payment method for the remaining balance. Both will charge when you confirm the booking.
You can also choose to use only a second payment method and save your gift card balance for a future booking. There is no requirement to use the gift card on every reservation—it is entirely up to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an Airbnb gift card to pay for an Experience or activity?
No. Gift cards work only for accommodation bookings. If you want to book an Airbnb Experience, tour, or activity, you will need to pay with a credit card, debit card, or other payment method. The gift card balance cannot be applied to those purchases.
What happens if I do not use my gift card before it expires?
If the gift card code is not redeemed within one year of the issue date, it expires and the balance is lost. Check the card or the email you received it in for the expiration date. Once you redeem the code to your account, the balance does not expire—you can use it whenever you want.
Can I transfer my gift card balance to another person?
No. Once you redeem a gift card code to your Airbnb account, the balance is tied to that account and cannot be moved or transferred. If someone gave you a gift card, you need to redeem it to your own account before you can use it.
Do I need to enter my gift card code every time I book?
No. Once you add the gift card to your payment methods, it stays saved in your account. You just select it from the list of payment methods at checkout, the same way you would select a credit card. You only enter the code once, when you first redeem it.
What if my gift card balance is not enough for the booking I want?
You can use the gift card to cover part of the cost and add a second payment method for the rest. At checkout, select the gift card first, and Airbnb will show you the remaining amount. Then add a credit card or debit card to pay the difference. Both charges will process together.