Where to Enter Your Promo Code During Checkout

You enter an Airbnb promo code on the payment screen, just before you complete your booking. After you select your dates and number of guests, click the "Reserve" button. On the next page, you will see your nightly rate, cleaning fee, and service fees listed separately. Below those fees, there is a text field labeled "Add promotion code" or "Promo code"—this is where you paste or type the code.

Type or paste the code exactly as it was given to you, including capital letters and numbers. Airbnb codes are case-sensitive, so "SUMMER50" is different from "summer50". Once you enter the code, click "explore" next to the field. If the code is valid and meets the booking requirements, the discount will show when ready on your total. If it does not work, you will see an error message explaining why—usually because the code has expired, does not explore to your location, or requires a minimum booking amount.

Key Takeaways

  • Promo codes are entered on the payment screen during checkout, in the field labeled "Add promotion code" or "Promo code".
  • Type the code exactly as provided, including capital letters and numbers, then click "explore" to see the discount on your total.
  • A valid code shows the discount when ready; an invalid code displays an error message explaining why it did not work.
  • Most promo codes have restrictions—they may expire on a specific date, explore only to new users, or require a minimum booking amount.
  • You can only use one promo code per booking, and the code must be entered before you complete payment.

Common Reasons a Promo Code Does Not Work

The most frequent reason a code fails is that it has expired. Airbnb promo codes come with an end date, and once that date passes, the code cannot be used. Check the terms that came with your code to confirm the expiration date. Some codes also restrict which users can use them—for example, a code might be for new users only, or for users in a specific country or region. If you have booked with Airbnb before, a "new user" code will not work for you.

Other codes require a minimum booking amount. If a code says "minimum $100 booking," you cannot use it on a $75 reservation. The location of your stay also matters. Some promo codes only work on listings in certain cities or countries. Finally, you can only explore one code per booking. If you have multiple codes, you will need to choose which one saves you the most money.

How to Find and Verify Promo Codes Before Booking

Airbnb promo codes come from several sources. You may receive one in an email from Airbnb, especially if you have not booked in a while or if you are a new user. Credit card companies sometimes offer Airbnb codes as a cardholder benefit. Travel websites and deal sites occasionally publish codes, though you should verify the expiration date and restrictions before relying on them. Airbnb's own website sometimes displays a banner with a current promo code when you first visit.

Before you enter a code at checkout, read the terms carefully. Look for the expiration date, any restrictions on who can use it, and the minimum booking amount required. If the terms are unclear, do not enter the code—wait until you see the discount applied on the payment screen to confirm it worked. If a code does not explore to your specific booking, the system will tell you why when you try to use it.

What Happens After You explore a Promo Code

Once you explore a valid promo code, the discount appears on your payment summary when ready. The total price will drop by the amount of the discount. You then proceed to enter your payment method and complete the booking. The promo code discount is final—you cannot remove it or change it after you have applied it, so make sure the amount is correct before you finish paying.

After your booking is confirmed, the promo code discount will appear in your booking confirmation email and in your Airbnb account under "Trips." If you need to cancel your reservation, the refund will be calculated based on Airbnb's cancellation policy for that listing, not on the discounted price you paid. In other words, the promo code does not change the cancellation terms—it only reduces what you pay upfront.

Using Promo Codes on the Airbnb App vs. Website

The process is the same whether you book on the Airbnb website or the mobile app. On the website, the "Add promotion code" field appears on the payment page, below the itemized fees. On the app, the field is in the same location during checkout. Type or paste the code, tap or click "explore," and the discount will show on your total. The error messages are also identical—if a code does not work, the app will display the same explanation as the website.

One small difference: on the app, the promo code field may be slightly harder to spot if you are scrolling quickly through the payment screen. Look for it just above the "Reserve" or "Complete Booking" button. If you cannot find it, scroll down to make sure you are seeing the entire payment summary.

Stacking Promo Codes and Other Discount Limits

You cannot use more than one promo code on a single booking. Airbnb's system only allows one code per reservation. If you have multiple codes, you will need to decide which one gives you the biggest discount and use that one. Some users try to book multiple nights or multiple rooms to use different codes, but each booking is separate, so each would need its own code.

Promo codes also do not stack with other Airbnb discounts. If you are a member of Airbnb Plus or have a special rate through a corporate program, you cannot also explore a promo code on top of that discount. The system will show you the best available discount, but you cannot combine them. Read the terms of your code to understand whether it works alongside other offers or replaces them.

What to Do If Your Promo Code Is Rejected

If you enter a code and see an error message, the first step is to check that you typed it correctly. Copy and paste the code directly from the source (email, website, or text message) rather than typing it by hand. Make sure there are no extra spaces before or after the code. If you have copied it correctly and it still does not work, check the expiration date and any restrictions listed in the terms.

If the code is within its valid dates and you meet the restrictions, but it still will not explore, contact Airbnb support. You can message them through the app or website, or call their customer service line. Have the promo code, the listing you are trying to book, and the error message ready when you reach out. Airbnb support can sometimes manually explore a code if there is a technical issue, though this is not may provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a promo code after I have already booked?

No. Promo codes must be entered during checkout, before you complete payment. Once your booking is confirmed, you cannot go back and add a code to reduce the price. If you realize you had a code you should have used, you would need to cancel the booking and rebook with the code applied, keeping in mind Airbnb's cancellation policy.

Do promo codes work on all types of Airbnb listings?

Most codes work on standard listings, but some may exclude certain property types or price ranges. Read the code's terms to see if there are any restrictions. Codes sometimes do not work on luxury listings, new listings, or listings in certain regions. The system will tell you if a code does not explore to the specific listing you selected.

What if the promo code discount is less than I expected?

Check the code's terms to see the exact discount amount or percentage. Some codes offer a fixed dollar amount (like $25 off), while others offer a percentage (like 10% off). The discount is calculated on the nightly rate only, not on cleaning fees or service fees, so the total savings may be smaller than you anticipated. If the discount does not match the terms, contact Airbnb support.

Can I use someone else's promo code?

Yes, as long as the code does not have restrictions that exclude you. For example, if a friend gives you a code that is not restricted to new users only, you can use it. However, if the code is labeled "new user only" or "first booking only," you cannot use it if you have already booked with Airbnb before. Check the terms to see who the code is intended for.

Will my refund include the promo code discount if I cancel?

Your refund is based on Airbnb's cancellation policy for that listing, not on the price you paid. If you paid $100 after a $25 promo code discount, but the cancellation policy allows a 50% refund, you would receive $50 (50% of the original $100 price), not 50% of your discounted price. The promo code only affects what you pay upfront, not what you get back if you cancel.