Airbnb charges your second payment when your reservation is confirmed, not at a set time each day
Airbnb does not charge a second payment at a specific hour. Instead, the timing depends on when your booking is confirmed. If you book a stay and the host accepts when ready, the second charge (or full payment if it is a shorter stay) can process within minutes to a few hours. If the host takes time to accept, the charge waits until they do.
The first charge is a deposit or partial payment that goes through when you complete your booking. The second charge covers the remainder and processes once the host confirms your reservation. Both charges appear on your payment method within one to three business days, depending on your bank or card issuer.
Key Takeaways
- Airbnb's second payment processes when your host accepts your booking, not at a fixed daily time.
- The time between your booking and the host's acceptance determines when the second charge hits your account.
- Both charges typically show on your statement within one to three business days, though the actual debit may happen sooner.
- You can see pending charges and payment status in your Airbnb account under Trips and then the specific reservation.
- If a host declines your booking, Airbnb refunds the first payment within three to five business days.
How Airbnb's two-payment system works
Airbnb splits most reservations into two charges to protect both guest and host. When you submit a booking request, your payment method is charged for the first portion—usually a deposit or percentage of the total. This charge is when ready and shows as pending on your account right away.
The second charge waits for host confirmation. Once the host accepts your request, Airbnb processes the remaining balance. This can happen seconds after acceptance or within a few hours, depending on payment processing speed. The host does not control the timing of the second charge; Airbnb handles it automatically once acceptance is recorded in the system.
For some shorter stays or when ready-book listings, Airbnb may charge the full amount upfront instead of splitting it. You can see which payment structure applies to your booking by checking the price breakdown before you confirm.
Where to find your payment status in the Airbnb app
Open the Airbnb app or website and go to your account menu. Select Trips, then click on the reservation you want to check. Under the reservation details, you will see a Payment section that shows what has been charged and what is pending.
This section displays each charge separately, with dates and amounts. If the second payment has not processed yet, it will show as "pending" with an estimated date. If you see both charges listed as complete, both have been submitted to your bank, though they may not appear on your statement for a day or two.
You can also check your bank or credit card statement directly. Airbnb charges appear under the merchant name "Airbnb" followed by the city where your stay is located. Pending charges may show with a different status label depending on your bank.
Why the second payment might be delayed
If your host has not yet accepted your booking, the second charge will not process. Some hosts respond within minutes; others take up to 24 hours. Until acceptance, only the first payment has been charged.
Payment processing delays can also occur if your bank flags the transaction for fraud review. This is especially common for international bookings or if the charge amount is unusually high for your account. Contact your bank directly if you see a pending charge that has not cleared after three business days.
Occasionally, Airbnb's payment system experiences technical delays. If you have confirmed that your host accepted the booking but the second charge has not appeared after 24 hours, contact Airbnb support through the app. Go to Account > Help > Contact Us and describe the issue.
What happens if your host declines your booking
If a host rejects your reservation request, Airbnb automatically refunds the first payment. The refund is issued to your original payment method and typically appears within three to five business days. Your bank may take an additional day or two to post it to your account.
You will receive a notification in the Airbnb app when a host declines. At that point, you can search for another listing or rebook with a different host. The refund happens without any action needed on your part.
How to avoid surprises with Airbnb charges
Before you submit a booking, review the full price breakdown on the confirmation screen. Airbnb shows the nightly rate, cleaning fee, service fee, and taxes all separately. This breakdown tells you the total amount that will be charged and helps you understand which portion is the first payment and which is the second.
If you have a question about the payment split before booking, you can message the host directly through Airbnb. Some hosts offer discounts for longer stays or may have policies you should know about. Clarifying these details before you book prevents confusion later.
Set a reminder to check your bank account the day after your host accepts your booking. This gives you time to catch any errors or fraud before the charge fully settles. If something looks wrong, contact Airbnb support when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the exact time my second payment will be charged?
No. Airbnb does not publish a specific time. The charge processes automatically once your host accepts, which could be within minutes or hours. You can see the pending charge in your Airbnb account under the reservation details, but the exact moment it hits your bank depends on payment processing speed.
What if I want to cancel before the second payment goes through?
If you cancel before the host accepts your booking, Airbnb refunds the first payment when ready. If the host has already accepted and the second charge has processed, your refund amount depends on the host's cancellation policy. Check the policy details on the listing before you book.
Why does my bank show two separate charges instead of one?
Airbnb processes the first and second payments as separate transactions. Your bank records them individually, which is why you see two line items on your statement. Both are legitimate charges from Airbnb for the same reservation.
Does Airbnb charge the second payment at midnight?
No. Airbnb does not charge at a specific time of day. The second payment processes whenever your host accepts your booking, regardless of the time zone or hour. It could happen at 3 a.m. or 3 p.m.—the timing is based on host acceptance, not a daily schedule.
What if my payment method is declined for the second charge?
Airbnb will attempt to process the charge again. If it fails, you will receive a notification in the app asking you to update your payment method. You must provide a valid card or payment option to complete the reservation. If you do not update it within a set time, Airbnb may cancel the booking.