How to Cancel Your Airbnb Reservation

Airbnb is the most used short-term lodging app in the world, but many people have questions about their cancellation policies. Let us explain everything you need to know about how you can cancel your Airbnb reservation.

Airbnb’s Cancellation Policies

Airbnb has a bit of a tricky cancellation policy because of the nature of their business. As it stands right now, hosts for Airbnb get to choose what cancellation policies they will offer to guests. Guests can then review those policies before deciding to book with a given host.

The policies range from “Flexible” to “Super Strict 60 Days”. The flexible cancellation policy includes:

• free cancellation up to 14 days before check-in
• free cancellation up to 24 hours after booking if booked less than 14 days before check-in
• guests can get a refund of the nightly rate and cleaning fee if they cancel up to 24 hours before check-in, but not a service fee refund

The Moderate cancellation policy includes:

• the same as above, although you’re only allowed to cancel up to five days before check-in if booked less than 14 days before the check-in

The Strict policy includes:

• free cancellation for 48 hours after booking as long as the guest cancels at least 14 days before check-in
• after this, guests can cancel up to seven days before check-in and get a 50% refund of the nightly rate and the cleaning fee

The Long Term cancellation policy is automatically applied to reservations of 28 nights or more and includes:

• full refunding for 48 hours after booking as long as the cancellation is at least 28 days before check-in
• guests can cancel for more than 48 hours after booking and get a full refund minus the first 30 days and service fee

The Super Strict 30 Days policy includes:

• guests can cancel at least 30 days before check-in and get a 50% refund of the cleaning fee and nightly rate
• Airbnb service fee is not refundable

The Super Strict 60 Days policy includes:

• same as above but guests have to cancel at least 60 days before check-in set of 30

Step-by-Step Guide to Cancelling

The process for canceling your Airbnb reservation or arrangement differs depending on whether you’re a guest or a host.

If you’re a guest, you can cancel any time before or during your trip by going to “Trips” in the Airbnb app and selecting the trip you want to cancel. Click or tap that trip to show the details, then click “Change” or “cancel”.

This takes you to the cancellation process and tells you what your refund will be and what your other options are.

If you’re a host, go to “Reservations” on the Airbnb app and select the trip you want to cancel. Click the “…” On the menu and select “Change” or “cancel”. This starts the cancellation process and will apply any applicable penalties.

Common Disputes and Complaints when Cancelling

Despite the process being somewhat cut and dry (if a little in-depth depending on circumstances like trip dates), people have lots of complaints when it comes to canceling their Airbnb reservation or hosting arrangements. That’s largely because Airbnb tends to be stingy when it comes to giving out refunds.

Furthermore, Airbnb is notoriously unreliable if hosts or guests refuse honor cancellation requests. The company’s customer service rating has a pretty low score on the Better Business Bureau and similar review collection websites.

Can’t Cancel? Got a Fee from Cancelling? Here’s What You Can Do

Ultimately, there are lots of reasons you might have an issue with Airbnb. Maybe they gave you an extra fee from canceling despite their canceling policy, or they didn’t allow you to cancel despite having plenty of time before your check-in date. Whatever the case, we think FairShake can help you pursue arbitration and get a resolution for your grievance. Don’t hesitate to contact us using our form below and let’s get started.