How to cancel an Airbnb reservation

You can cancel an Airbnb reservation through the Airbnb app or website by going to your reservations, selecting the booking you want to cancel, and clicking the cancel button. The refund you receive depends on when you cancel relative to the check-in date and the host's cancellation policy. Airbnb shows you the refund amount before you confirm the cancellation, so you know exactly what you'll get back.

The steps are the same whether you book on mobile or desktop, though the app layout differs slightly. You must cancel before your check-in date — you cannot cancel after you've arrived, though you can contact the host to discuss early checkout.

Key Takeaways

  • Your refund amount depends on the host's cancellation policy and how many days before check-in you cancel.
  • Airbnb shows your refund amount on the cancellation screen before you confirm, so you can see the exact dollars you'll receive.
  • Cancellations made within the host's grace period (usually 48 hours) receive a full refund; later cancellations are reduced or forfeited depending on the policy.
  • If the host cancels on you, Airbnb automatically refunds the full amount and offers a credit toward a future booking.
  • You cannot cancel after check-in, but you can message the host to negotiate an early checkout refund.

Where to find the cancel button

Open the Airbnb app or go to airbnb.com and sign in to your account. Tap or click the profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Trips" or "Reservations" — the exact label depends on whether you're on mobile or desktop. Find the reservation you want to cancel in the list.

Click or tap on that reservation to open its details page. You'll see the dates, the host's name, the address, and your payment breakdown. Scroll down until you see a button labeled "Cancel reservation" or "Cancel this reservation." Click it.

What the refund policy means and how much you'll get back

Airbnb hosts choose from several cancellation policies: Flexible, Moderate, Strict, and Super Strict. Each policy sets how many days before check-in you must cancel to receive a refund, and how much of your payment you lose if you cancel later.

Flexible policies let you cancel up to 5 days before check-in and receive a full refund. If you cancel between 5 days and 1 day before check-in, you lose 50% of the nightly rate but keep the service fee. Cancellations within 1 day of check-in forfeit everything.

Moderate policies give you a full refund if you cancel 7 days or more before check-in. Between 7 and 3 days before, you lose 50% of the nightly rate. Within 3 days of check-in, you lose everything.

Strict policies refund you fully only if you cancel 30 days or more before check-in. Between 30 and 14 days before, you lose 50% of the nightly rate. Within 14 days of check-in, you lose everything.

Super Strict policies refund you fully only if you cancel 60 days or more before check-in. Between 60 and 30 days before, you lose 50% of the nightly rate. Within 30 days of check-in, you lose everything.

When you click the cancel button, Airbnb displays the exact refund amount you'll receive before you confirm. This amount accounts for the policy, the number of days until check-in, and any service fees. The refund goes back to the payment method you used to book, usually within 5 to 10 business days, though some payment processors take longer.

When the host cancels instead

If a host cancels your reservation, Airbnb automatically refunds your full payment to your original payment method. You also receive a credit equal to the full booking amount that you can use toward any future Airbnb reservation. This credit does not expire, though Airbnb's terms state it may be forfeited if your account is inactive for a long period.

Host cancellations are rare after you've booked, but they happen when a host overbooks, has a maintenance emergency, or changes their mind. Airbnb penalizes hosts who cancel frequently, so most hosts try to honor reservations.

Canceling within the grace period

Most Airbnb reservations include a grace period — usually 48 hours after booking — during which you can cancel for any reason and receive a full refund, regardless of the host's cancellation policy. This grace period applies to nearly all bookings, though some long-term stays (28 days or more) may have different terms.

To check whether your reservation is within the grace period, open the reservation details and look for a note about the grace period end date. If you're still within it, canceling will return your full payment. After the grace period ends, the host's cancellation policy takes over.

What happens to service fees and taxes

Airbnb's service fee — the amount Airbnb charges you as a booking platform — is usually refunded when you cancel, though the exact treatment depends on the host's policy and how close you are to check-in. Taxes and local fees paid to the city or region are also refunded in most cases.

When you see the refund amount on the cancellation screen, that figure includes or excludes these fees based on the policy. Read the breakdown carefully: it will show you the nightly rate refund, the service fee refund (if any), and the taxes and fees refund (if any) as separate line items.

Canceling a reservation you've already checked into

You cannot cancel a reservation through Airbnb after your check-in date has passed. If you need to leave early, message the host directly through the Airbnb app to discuss an early checkout. Some hosts will refund a portion of your payment if you leave several days early, but this is a negotiation between you and the host, not an automatic Airbnb policy.

If the host agrees to an early checkout refund, ask them to send you a message confirming the amount so you have a record. Refunds for early checkouts are not processed through Airbnb's system — the host must send you the money through a separate payment method or Airbnb's resolution center.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my refund after I cancel?

Airbnb processes refunds within 5 to 10 business days, but your bank or payment processor may take additional time to deposit the money into your account. Credit card refunds sometimes appear as a credit on your next statement rather than an when ready deposit. If you don't see the refund within 10 business days, contact Airbnb support through the app.

Can I cancel if I'm sick or have an emergency?

Airbnb does not have a separate policy for cancellations due to illness or emergencies. You cancel through the normal process and receive a refund based on the host's cancellation policy and how many days before check-in you cancel. If you believe you have grounds for a full refund despite the policy, you can contact Airbnb support and explain your situation, but refunds are not may provide.

What if I cancel but the host refuses to refund me?

Airbnb handles all refunds automatically based on the host's policy — the host does not manually approve or deny refunds. If you cancel and don't receive the refund amount shown on the cancellation screen within 10 business days, contact Airbnb support through the Resolution Center in the app. Provide screenshots of the cancellation confirmation and the refund amount you were promised.

Can I cancel a reservation and rebook the same dates with a different host?

Yes, you can cancel and when ready book another reservation. However, you'll lose money if the host's cancellation policy charges a fee, and you may pay a higher nightly rate at the new listing. Check the refund amount before you cancel so you know how much you'll have to work with for the new booking.

What if the listing details changed after I booked?

If the host changed the listing description, photos, or amenities after you booked, you can contact Airbnb support to report the change. Airbnb may offer you a full refund or a credit toward a future booking, even if the host's cancellation policy would normally charge a fee. Document the changes by taking screenshots of what the listing says now versus what you remember when you booked.