Buy Airbnb gift cards directly from Airbnb or at major retailers
You can buy Airbnb gift cards in two ways: directly from Airbnb's website or from physical and online retailers that stock them. Airbnb sells digital gift cards on airbnb.com in amounts from $25 to $500. Physical gift cards are sold at retailers including Target, Walmart, Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens, and Amazon, usually in denominations of $25, $50, and $100.
Digital cards arrive by email within minutes and work when ready. Physical cards come in a printed envelope and can be given as a gift right away, though the recipient must redeem the code on the back to use the balance. Both types work the same way once redeemed—the balance appears in the recipient's Airbnb account and can be spent on any booking.
Key Takeaways
- Airbnb's website sells digital gift cards in $25 to $500 amounts, delivered by email within minutes.
- Physical gift cards are available at Target, Walmart, Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens, and Amazon in $25, $50, and $100 denominations.
- Digital cards work when ready after purchase; physical cards require the recipient to enter a code on the back.
- Gift card balances never expire and can be used toward any Airbnb booking worldwide.
Buying digital gift cards from Airbnb.com
Go to airbnb.com and look for the "Gift cards" link, usually found in the footer or under your account menu. Select the amount you want to send ($25, $50, $100, $250, or $500), then enter the recipient's email address. You can add a personal message and choose a delivery date if you want the card to arrive on a specific day.
Complete the purchase with a credit or debit card. Airbnb will send a digital card code to the recipient's email within a few minutes. The recipient clicks the link in the email, enters the code on their Airbnb account, and the balance is ready to use when ready. This method is fastest if you need a gift card the same day.
Finding physical gift cards at retailers
Physical Airbnb gift cards are stocked in the gift card section of most major stores. At Target and Walmart, they are usually near the checkout lanes or in a dedicated gift card display. Best Buy stocks them in the media section. CVS and Walgreens keep them near the registers. Amazon sells them online with standard shipping or Prime delivery.
Physical cards come in a branded envelope with a scratch-off code on the back. The recipient does not need to open anything to see the code—it is visible under the scratch-off panel. Once they scratch it off and enter the code into their Airbnb account, the balance is added and ready to spend. Physical cards are a good choice if you want to give a tangible gift or do not have the recipient's email address.
Checking stock and availability at your store
Not every location of every retailer carries Airbnb gift cards at all times. Call ahead or check the store's website to confirm they have them in stock before making a trip. Target and Walmart usually have them available, but smaller or rural locations may not. Best Buy, CVS, and Walgreens stock them more reliably in urban and suburban areas.
If your local stores do not carry them, ordering online from Amazon or Walmart.com is faster than driving around. Amazon Prime members often receive next-day delivery, and Walmart offers in-store pickup at many locations if you order online. Airbnb.com remains the most reliable option if you need a gift card when ready, since digital cards arrive within minutes.
Understanding denominations and balance limits
Airbnb gift cards come in fixed amounts. Digital cards offer more flexibility—you can choose $25, $50, $100, $250, or $500. Physical cards are typically sold in $25, $50, and $100 denominations, though some retailers may stock $200 or $500 cards. There is no limit to how many cards a person can redeem into one account, so you can combine multiple cards if you need a larger balance.
Once redeemed, the balance sits in the recipient's Airbnb account with no expiration date. They can use it all at once or spread it across multiple bookings. If a booking costs more than the card balance, they can pay the difference with another payment method. Unused balances carry over indefinitely.
Redeeming a gift card code
The recipient needs an Airbnb account to redeem a gift card. If they do not have one, they can create a free account at airbnb.com using an email address and password. Once logged in, they go to their account settings, find the "Payments" or "Gift cards" section, and select "Redeem a gift card." They enter the code from the back of the physical card or from the email, and the balance appears when ready.
The balance is now available to use on any Airbnb booking. During checkout, Airbnb automatically applies the gift card balance first, then asks for another payment method if the booking costs more. The recipient can see their remaining balance in their account settings at any time.
Comparing your purchase options
| Purchase Method | Denominations | Delivery Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbnb.com (digital) | $25, $50, $100, $250, $500 | Minutes | Last-minute gifts, no email needed upfront |
| Amazon (digital or physical) | $25, $50, $100 | Minutes (digital) or 1–2 days (physical) | Prime members, fast shipping |
| Target (physical) | $25, $50, $100 | In-store pickup or same-day delivery | In-person gift giving |
| Walmart (physical or online) | $25, $50, $100 | In-store or 1–2 days online | Convenient locations, in-store pickup |
| Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens (physical) | $25, $50, $100 | In-store only | Quick pickup at nearby location |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy an Airbnb gift card for an amount not listed?
No. Airbnb gift cards come in set denominations only. Digital cards are $25, $50, $100, $250, or $500. Physical cards are usually $25, $50, or $100. If you want to give a different amount, you can buy multiple cards and the recipient can redeem them all into one account.
Do Airbnb gift cards expire?
No. Once redeemed into an account, the balance never expires. The recipient can use it whenever they want, even years later. However, unredeemed physical or digital gift card codes may have terms set by the retailer, so check the card or email for details before the purchase.
Can I use a gift card to pay for an Airbnb experience or activity?
Gift card balances can be used for Airbnb accommodations (stays). They cannot be used for Experiences, Activities, or other services outside of booking a place to stay. The recipient must use another payment method for those purchases.
What if the recipient loses the gift card code?
If they received a digital card by email, they can check their email history for the original message with the code. If they received a physical card, the code is on the back under the scratch-off panel. Once the code is redeemed into their account, the balance is safe even if they lose the card itself.
Can I buy a gift card for someone in another country?
Yes. Airbnb gift cards work in any country where Airbnb operates. Buy the card from airbnb.com (digital) or from a retailer in your country, then send it to the recipient's email or give them the physical card. They redeem it into their Airbnb account and can book anywhere in the world.