Buy Airbnb gift cards directly from Airbnb or at major retailers

You can purchase Airbnb gift cards in two ways: directly from Airbnb's website or through physical and online retailers. The Airbnb website sells digital gift cards that arrive by email within minutes, while retailers like Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon sell physical cards and digital codes. Both routes work the same way once redeemed—the card value loads into an Airbnb account and can be used toward any booking on the platform.

The main difference is delivery speed and where you shop. Digital cards from Airbnb arrive when ready, while physical cards from retailers take a day or two to reach you. If you need a gift card today, buy digital. If you're shopping in person or prefer a physical card to wrap, retailers stock them year-round.

Key Takeaways

  • Airbnb's website sells digital gift cards that email to the recipient within minutes, with denominations ranging from $25 to $500.
  • Physical Airbnb gift cards are sold at Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, and other major retailers in denominations of $25, $50, $100, and $250.
  • Digital cards from retailers (Amazon, Best Buy) arrive by email the same day or next day, depending on the retailer's processing time.
  • Once redeemed, gift card value sits in the recipient's Airbnb account and can be used for any stay, experience, or service on the platform.

Buying directly from Airbnb.com

Visit airbnb.com/gift-cards to purchase a digital gift card. You'll enter the recipient's email address, choose a dollar amount ($25 to $500), add a personal message, and select a delivery date. Airbnb sends the card code by email, and the recipient can redeem it when ready by signing into their account and entering the code in the "Redeem a gift card" section under account settings.

Digital cards from Airbnb have no expiration date, so the recipient can use them whenever they book. There are no hidden fees—the full amount you pay goes onto the card. This is the fastest route if you're buying for someone who needs the card today or tomorrow.

Buying physical cards at retail stores

Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and most grocery store chains stock Airbnb gift cards in their gift card sections. Cards typically come in $25, $50, $100, and $250 denominations. You pay at checkout like any other purchase, and the card is yours to give when ready. Physical cards include a code on the back that the recipient scratches off and enters on Airbnb's website to redeem.

If you're already shopping at one of these stores, buying in person is convenient. You can wrap the card or present it when ready. The downside is that you're limited to the denominations the store stocks—you can't buy a custom $75 card, for example. Check the store's website or call ahead if you want a specific amount.

Buying digital codes from online retailers

Amazon, Best Buy, and Costco sell Airbnb gift card codes online that email to you or the recipient. Amazon typically delivers digital codes within hours; Best Buy's timing depends on whether you choose email or standard delivery. These work identically to cards bought directly from Airbnb—the recipient enters the code into their account to redeem.

Online retailers are useful if you want to send a gift card to someone in another state or country without paying for shipping, or if you prefer to shop on a platform where you already have an account. Prices are the same as buying directly from Airbnb, so there's no advantage beyond convenience.

Denominations and pricing

Airbnb gift cards come in set amounts: $25, $50, $100, $250, and $500. You pay the face value—a $100 card costs $100, with no markup or service fees. Some retailers occasionally run promotions where you earn cash back or bonus points on gift card purchases, so it's worth checking if you have a rewards account at Target, Walmart, or Best Buy.

If you want to give a custom amount like $75 or $150, buy a digital card directly from Airbnb, which allows any amount between $25 and $500. Physical cards are locked to the denominations printed on them.

How to redeem an Airbnb gift card

The recipient signs into their Airbnb account (or creates one if they don't have one yet), goes to Account Settings, and selects "Redeem a gift card." They enter the code from the email or the back of the physical card, and the balance appears in their account when ready. The credit can be used toward any booking—stays, experiences, or cleaning fees.

Gift card balances don't expire and can be combined with other payment methods. If a booking costs $150 and the card has $100, the recipient pays the remaining $50 with a credit card or other payment method. Unused balances stay in the account indefinitely.

Gift cards for international recipients

Airbnb gift cards purchased in the United States work only for bookings in US dollars and on the US version of Airbnb. If you're sending a card to someone outside the US, check whether Airbnb sells gift cards in their country's currency on their local site. Many countries have their own Airbnb gift card programs with local payment options.

If the recipient travels to the US or books US properties, a US gift card works fine. But for someone who only books in their home country, buying a gift card in their local currency (if available) ensures they can use it without currency conversion issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Airbnb gift cards expire?

No. Airbnb gift cards have no expiration date. The recipient can redeem and use the balance whenever they want, and unused balances stay in their account indefinitely.

Can I buy a gift card for a specific amount like $75?

Yes, but only through Airbnb's website. Digital gift cards sold directly on airbnb.com allow any amount from $25 to $500. Physical cards from retailers come in fixed denominations ($25, $50, $100, $250), so you'd need to buy two cards or go digital for a custom amount.

What if the recipient already has an Airbnb account?

The gift card code still works. They sign in, go to Account Settings, select "Redeem a gift card," and enter the code. The balance adds to their existing account and can be used on any future booking.

Can I return or exchange an Airbnb gift card?

Airbnb's return policy for gift cards varies by retailer. Cards bought directly from Airbnb are generally non-refundable. Cards bought at Target, Walmart, or Best Buy may be returnable under that retailer's gift card policy—check their website or ask in-store.

Can I use a gift card to pay for an Airbnb experience or cleaning fee?

Yes. Gift card balances can be used for any charge on Airbnb, including nightly rates, experiences, service fees, and cleaning fees. The balance applies to the total cost of the booking.