Understanding the Airbnb Cancellation Policy
Airbnb’s cancellation policy is designed to protect both hosts and guests. It provides clear guidelines on how much notice you need to give to cancel a booking, and what happens if you cancel after the deadline.
In this article, we’ll explain the Airbnb cancellation policy in detail. We’ll cover everything from the different types of cancellations to the consequences of cancelling at different stages of your booking.
Types of Cancellations
There are three main types of cancellations on Airbnb:
- Host-initiated cancellations: These are cancellations that are made by the host. They can happen for any reason, and the guest is not entitled to a refund.
- Guest-initiated cancellations: These are cancellations that are made by the guest. There are different cancellation policies for different types of bookings, and the guest may be entitled to a refund depending on when they cancel.
- Force majeure cancellations: These are cancellations that are made due to circumstances beyond the control of either the host or the guest. Examples of force majeure events include natural disasters, war, and civil unrest.
Cancellation Policies for Different Booking Types
The Airbnb cancellation policy varies depending on the type of booking you make. Here is a breakdown of the cancellation policies for each type of booking:
- Instant bookings: These are bookings that are confirmed immediately. For instant bookings, the guest has 24 hours to cancel and receive a full refund.
- Bookings with a flexible cancellation policy: These bookings allow guests to cancel up to 24 hours before the check-in time and receive a full refund.
- Bookings with a moderate cancellation policy: These bookings allow guests to cancel up to 5 days before the check-in time and receive a full refund.
- Bookings with a strict cancellation policy: These bookings do not allow guests to cancel and receive a full refund.
It’s important to read the cancellation policy carefully before you book a listing. This will ensure that you understand what happens if you need to cancel your booking.
Consequences of Cancelling at Different Stages
The consequences of cancelling your Airbnb booking will depend on when you cancel. Here is a breakdown of what happens if you cancel at different stages of your booking:
- If you cancel before the 24-hour cancellation window: You will receive a full refund.
- If you cancel within the 24-hour cancellation window: You will not receive a refund.
- If you cancel after the check-in time: You will not receive a refund.
It’s important to note that Airbnb may also charge you a cleaning fee or other fees even if you cancel your booking within the 24-hour cancellation window.
How to Cancel a Booking
To cancel a booking, you can log in to your Airbnb account and go to the “My Trips” page. From there, click on the listing you want to cancel and select the “Cancel” button.
You will then be prompted to enter your reason for cancelling. Once you have entered your reason, click on the “Confirm” button to cancel your booking.
If you have any questions about the Airbnb cancellation policy, you can contact Airbnb customer support.