Cancel through the Airbnb app or website before the deadline

Open the Airbnb app or go to airbnb.com, sign into your account, and find the reservation you want to cancel. Click or tap the reservation, then select "Cancel reservation." Airbnb will show you the cancellation policy for that specific listing — this tells you how much of your money you get back and by when. Read it carefully, because the refund amount depends on when you cancel relative to the check-in date.

Once you confirm the cancellation, Airbnb processes it immediately. The host receives a notification that you've cancelled. Your refund goes back to the original payment method — the same card or account you used to book. Refunds typically arrive within 5 to 10 business days, though your bank may take another day or two to show the money in your account.

If you booked through a third party like Expedia or Vrbo, you cannot cancel through Airbnb. You must cancel through the site where you booked, because that's where your payment contract is.

Key Takeaways

  • Airbnb shows you the exact refund amount before you confirm cancellation, based on the listing's cancellation policy and how close you are to check-in.
  • Cancellations process immediately through the app or website, and refunds return to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days.
  • Different listings have different cancellation policies — some offer full refunds up to 30 days before arrival, others offer none after booking.
  • If the host cancels on you, Airbnb refunds the full amount plus offers a credit toward a future booking.
  • Cancellation policies vary by host and listing, so check the policy before you book if cancellation flexibility matters to you.

Understanding Airbnb's cancellation policies

Airbnb has five standard cancellation policies, and each host chooses which one applies to their listing. The policy determines how much money you get back if you cancel, and it's based on when you cancel relative to your check-in date.

Flexible lets you cancel up to one day before check-in and get a full refund. Moderate gives you a full refund if you cancel up to five days before check-in; after that, you lose 50 percent. Non-refundable means you get nothing back no matter when you cancel. Strict refunds you only if you cancel at least 30 days before check-in, and even then you lose 50 percent. Super Strict is the same as Strict but applies to monthly bookings.

Some hosts also set custom policies that differ from these five. When you book, Airbnb displays the exact policy on the listing page. Before you confirm your reservation, scroll down and read the cancellation policy section — it will tell you exactly what you get back if you cancel at any point between now and check-in.

What happens if you cancel close to check-in

If your cancellation date falls within the window where you lose money, Airbnb calculates your refund automatically. For example, under a Moderate policy, if you cancel three days before check-in, you forfeit 50 percent of the nightly rate for each night. Airbnb shows this calculation on the cancellation screen before you confirm, so you know exactly what you're getting back.

The host keeps the portion you forfeit. Airbnb does not take a cut of cancellations — the money goes to the host as compensation for the booking they can no longer fill. This is why hosts set stricter policies for dates closer to check-in: they have less time to rebook the property.

If you cancel within 24 hours of check-in under most policies, you typically lose the full amount. The exception is Flexible, which allows cancellation up to one day before check-in with a full refund.

Cancelling when the host has already confirmed

Once a host accepts your reservation, they've committed to holding the dates for you. If you cancel after they've confirmed, the cancellation policy applies — you don't get special treatment just because the host said yes. The policy you agreed to at booking is what governs the refund.

However, if the host cancels on you after confirming, you receive a full refund of everything you paid, plus Airbnb credits you with a travel credit equal to 50 percent of what you paid. You can use this credit toward any future Airbnb booking. This is Airbnb's way of compensating you for the inconvenience of a host cancellation.

Requesting a refund if the listing or stay was misrepresented

If you arrive and the listing doesn't match the photos or description — the kitchen is missing, the bed is broken, the neighborhood is unsafe — you can request a refund through Airbnb's Resolution Center. Document the problem with photos or video, then open a case within the Airbnb app. Airbnb reviews your evidence and decides whether to refund you, offer a partial refund, or deny the request.

You must report the issue during your stay or within a few days of checkout for Airbnb to investigate. If you wait weeks, Airbnb will likely deny the request because they can't verify the problem. Take photos immediately when you discover the issue, and message the host about it in the app so there's a record.

This is different from a standard cancellation. You're not cancelling because you changed your mind — you're reporting that the host failed to deliver what they promised. Airbnb treats these cases differently and may refund you even if the cancellation policy says non-refundable.

Cancelling a monthly booking

Monthly bookings (30 days or longer) have their own cancellation rules. Most hosts offer a 50 percent refund if you cancel within 30 days of check-in, and a full refund if you cancel more than 30 days out. Some hosts use Super Strict, which gives no refund within 30 days and 50 percent refund if you cancel more than 30 days before arrival.

Check the listing's cancellation policy before you book a monthly stay. The refund window is longer than for nightly bookings, but the stakes are higher because you're paying more upfront. If you're unsure whether you'll stay the full month, book nightly rates instead and extend your stay day by day if it's working out.

What to do if Airbnb denies your refund request

If you cancel and Airbnb applies the cancellation policy, you can't appeal that decision — the policy you agreed to at booking is final. However, if you reported a problem with the listing (broken amenities, misrepresented photos, safety issues) and Airbnb denied your refund request, you can appeal the decision within 30 days through the Resolution Center.

Provide additional evidence: more photos, messages with the host, proof that the listing violated Airbnb's policies. Explain why the listing didn't match the description. Airbnb will review your appeal and may overturn the original decision. If they deny the appeal, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company, though this should be a last resort because it can result in Airbnb closing your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose money if I cancel before the host accepts my reservation?

No. If you cancel before the host accepts, Airbnb refunds your full payment regardless of the cancellation policy. The policy only applies once the host has confirmed the booking. You have a short window to cancel for free — usually a few hours — so act quickly if you change your mind.

Can the host refuse my cancellation?

No. You can cancel your reservation anytime through the app or website. The host cannot block you from cancelling. However, the cancellation policy determines how much money you get back, so the host isn't losing anything if you cancel within the non-refundable window — you are.

What if I need to cancel but I'm past the refund deadline?

If the cancellation policy says you get nothing back, Airbnb will not refund you for a standard cancellation. Your only option is to report a problem with the listing if one actually exists — broken amenities, unsafe conditions, misrepresented photos. If Airbnb confirms the problem, they may refund you despite the policy. Otherwise, you've lost the money.

How long does it take to see the refund in my bank account?

Airbnb processes the refund within 5 to 10 business days, but your bank controls when the money actually appears. Some banks show it in 1 to 2 days; others take up to 10 business days. Check your bank's refund timeline if you don't see it within two weeks, then contact Airbnb support.

Can I cancel and rebook the same dates at a different price?

Yes, but you'll lose money if the cancellation policy applies. If you cancel and get 50 percent back, then rebook at a higher nightly rate, you're paying more overall. Check the new listing's price first, calculate what you'll net after the cancellation penalty, and decide if it's worth switching.