How To Change Or Cancel Your Airbnb Booking [Step-By-Step] - TRVLGUIDES [Learn How To Travel] (2024)

Changing or cancelling an Airbnb booking is easy.

Airbnb did this intentionally, so users can adjust plans quickly. Many booking sites overcomplicate their cancellation process, which adds to the frustration users already feel for having to change travel plans.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to change or cancel your Airbnb booking.

After explaining when to consider changing versus cancelling an Airbnb booking, I’ll demonstrate how to change and cancel, then answer 6 frequently asked questions. This guide is for people who already have an existing booking. If you don’t have a booking and just want to learn how Airbnb’s cancellation and refund policies work, read this guide first.

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Table of Contents

• Should You Change Or Cancel?

• How To Change An Airbnb Booking

  • Airbnb’s Booking Change Policy

  • How To Change Your Reservation (Step-By-Step)

• How To Cancel An Airbnb Booking

  • Airbnb’s Booking Cancellation Policy

  • How To Cancel Your Reservation (Step-By-Step)

  • Cancellation Message Example

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Can I Change A Booking’s Accommodation/Location?

  • Can I Change A Reservation After Checking In?

  • Will I Receive A Receipt For My Cancellation?

  • Are There Any Fees For Changing A Reservation?

  • Can I Change A Booking’s Primary Guest Name?

  • What If My Host Requests A Booking Change?

• Conclusion

• Learn More About Airbnb

• About The Author (Taz Zaidi)

Should You Change Or Cancel?

• Changing your booking is more practical if you need to make a minor adjustment to an existing reservation, like tweaking the dates (extending, shortening or slightly shifting) or adding guests.

• Cancelling your booking is more practical if you must make a significant change to a reservation (like moving your trip to a completely different month) or scrap your travel plans entirely.

  See Also

  Airbnb Statistics [2023]: User & Market Growth DataThe case for living out of Airbnbs full time - The Points GuyPros and Cons of Buying a Home for AirbnbSetting up length of stay and advance reservation restrictions

*Vrbo.com is the best alternative to Airbnb for apartment and house rentals. For today’s deals, click here.

Airbnb’s Booking Change Policy

In order to make a change to an existing reservation, you must submit a booking change request to your host. Keep in mind, Airbnb hosts are not required to approve a booking change request after a reservation is already made/confirmed.

If you shorten your stay, you’ll be refunded any difference in the nightly rate and service fee. If you extend your stay, you’ll be charged for any additional nights and any increase to the service fee. You will be able to see the potential price change(s) before you confirm any alteration request.

If your host denies your change request, your existing reservation will remain the same. In this case, you can either cancel and re-book the same place (with new dates), cancel and book another place, or keep your booking but adjust your own plans (check out early, but still pay for the days that you won’t be there).

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How To Change Your Reservation (Step-By-Step)

To change an existing Airbnb reservation, click your account icon in the upper-right corner of the home page, then select “Trips” from the drop-down menu.

After you confirm, Airbnb will send an alteration request to your host, who can either approve or deny it. In my experience, my date change requests have almost always been approved when I’ve submitted them at least a few weeks prior to my check-in date.

*To see today’s deals on hotels in any destination, click here.

Airbnb’s Booking Cancellation Policy

Airbnb hosts choose their own cancellation policy (flexible, moderate, strict) for all short-term stays (27 days or fewer). Airbnb enforces a standard cancellation policy on all long-term stays (28 days or longer). For a simple breakdown of Airbnb’s cancellation policies, as well as how their Extenuating Circ*mstances Policy works, read this guide.

How To Cancel Your Reservation (Step-By-Step)

To cancel an existing Airbnb reservation, click your account icon in the upper-right corner of the home page, then select “Trips” from the drop-down menu.

Cancellation Message Example

If you’re unsure what to include in your cancellation message (assuming you don’t want to disclose much, or think you don’t have a great reason), you could say something like, “Hey (host name), I’m cancelling the stay because I’m no longer interested / can no longer make the trip”.

Crafting the perfect message isn’t necessary, as it won’t affect whether your cancellation will be accepted - that’s based on the cancellation policy you agreed to when you initially booked.

*Vrbo.com is the best alternative to Airbnb for apartment and house rentals. For today’s deals, click here.

Can I Change A Booking’s Accommodation Or Location?

No, you can’t change the accommodation or location of an existing reservation. When you book a place on Airbnb, you’re reserving a property listed by a person or third-party business - not Airbnb the company. It is not possible to transfer your booking between hosts, even within the same destination.

Can I Change A Reservation After Checking In?

You can submit an alteration request to change your checkout date after you’ve checked in, but you can not alter the number of guests after check-in. To read Airbnb’s exact words on changing a reservation after check-in, click here.

Will I Receive A Refund Receipt For My Cancellation?

Airbnb will send a confirmation email after you’ve cancelled your booking. This email displays the refund amount and any important information regarding your cancellation and refund.

*To see today’s deals on hotels in any destination, click here.

Are There Any Fees For Changing A Booking/Reservation?

There are no “change fees” for changing an Airbnb reservation. However, if you extend your stay, you’ll be charged for the additional nights and for any increase to the service fee. Likewise, if you shorten your stay, you’ll receive a refund for the nights you’re no longer booked for, and for any decrease to the service fee.

Can I Change A Booking’s Primary Guest Name?

No, you can't change a booking’s primary guest name. While the number of guests can be changed after a booking is made, the primary guest must remain the same. This is because all Airbnb bookings are tied to verified users - which is how Airbnb hosts are able to trust a stranger to stay in their home.

What If My Host Requests A Booking Change?

Hosts follow the same booking change process that guests do. If your host wants to change your existing reservation, they’ll send you a request - which you can either approve or deny.

*For the 5 things you should bring to an Airbnb stay, click here.

Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

Changing or cancelling an Airbnb booking is simple and straightforward. However, it’s very important to understand how Airbnb’s policies work BEFORE you book - so you aren’t charged unnecessary fees in case your plans change. For a full breakdown of Airbnb’s cancellation and refund policies, click here. To learn more Airbnb, explore our other guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

Learn More About Airbnb

Introduction To Airbnb

• What Is Airbnb? [How It Works, Makes Money, FAQ]

• Is Airbnb Safe, Legit And Trustworthy? [Plus 5 Scams To Avoid]

• 13 Reasons Every Traveler Should Try Airbnb [At Least Once]

Understand Your Options

• Airbnb vs. Hotels Comparison [Atmosphere, Price, Safety, Amenities]

• Airbnb vs. VRBO, HomeAway, FlipKey, TurnKey, OVO [Comparison]

• Short-Term vs. Long-Term Airbnb Rentals [Comparison Guide]

Get Started With Airbnb

• How To Create An Airbnb Account [Or Change Or Delete It]

• How To Book An Airbnb [The Complete Guide]

• How To Pay On Airbnb [Step-By-Step, FAQ]

Know Before You Go

• What To Bring To An Airbnb [Know Before You Go]

• How To Check Into And Check Out Of An Airbnb [Traveler’s Guide]

• Airbnb Etiquette Guide [Know Before You Go]

• Airbnb’s Age Restrictions [Under 18, 25, FAQ]

Specific Types Of Bookings

• How To Find An Airbnb With A Specific Feature [Or Unique Stay]

• How To Find An Airbnb That Allows Pets [Airbnb’s Pet Policy]

• How To Find An Airbnb With A Pool, Hot Tub Or Jacuzzi [Step-By-Step]

• Can You Throw A Party In An Airbnb Rental? [Party Policy Explained]

Cancellations, Refunds And Changes

• How To Change Or Cancel Your Airbnb Booking [Step-By-Step]

• Airbnb’s Cancellation And Refund Policy [Flexible, Moderate, Strict]

Airbnb’s Other Listing Categories

• Airbnb Plus Explained [Airbnb’s Vetted Listings]

• Airbnb Luxe Explained [Airbnb’s Luxury Listings]

Airbnb’s Other Features

• Airbnb Experiences Explained [Plus How To Book, Examples]

• Airbnb Adventures Explained [Plus How To Book, Examples]

Help With Your Account

• How To Contact Airbnb [Phone, Email, Resolutions, Emergencies]

• How To Leave A Review On Airbnb [And Earn A High Rating]

• Airbnb Gift Card Guide [How It Works, Where To Buy One, FAQ]

• The Updated Guide To Airbnb Referral Promo Codes [2022]