On Airbnb, the amount for a stay is charged or put on hold as soon as the reservation request is sent, even before the host has accepted. This mechanism raises legitimate questions: what happens to the money if the request is declined? Is the charge the same depending on the payment method or the traveler’s country?
This article compares possible scenarios and details what actually happens between clicking “Book” and the host’s confirmation.
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Pre-authorization or charge: what the platform triggers depending on the payment method
The distinction between pre-authorization and actual charge is the point that creates the most confusion. Depending on the payment method used, Airbnb does not process the transaction in the same way at the time of the request.
| Payment Method | Type of Operation at Request | Release Time if Host Declines |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard) | Pre-authorization (temporary hold) | Several days to a week depending on the bank |
| PayPal | Immediate charge | Refund within a few business days |
| Bank Transfer / other local method | Variable depending on the country | Variable, sometimes longer |
With a credit card, Airbnb holds the amount without charging it. The sum appears “pending” on the statement, but it has not left the account. If the host declines the request or does not respond within the allotted time, the pre-authorization is automatically lifted.
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With PayPal, the process is different. The amount is charged as soon as the request is sent. In case of a decline, a refund is initiated by the platform, but the refund time depends on PayPal and not on Airbnb.
A detailed guide on payment conditions on Airbnb helps to better understand each scenario depending on the chosen payment method.
Airbnb Identity Verification: when it occurs before payment
The usual sequence (payment first, confirmation later) does not always apply. Airbnb has strengthened identity checks for certain types of bookings, and this verification can block or delay validation even before the payment is processed.
A host’s testimony on Reddit illustrates the problem well: an automatically confirmed booking (via instant booking) was canceled shortly after because the traveler had not completed their identity verification. The host received no payment, and the time slot was blocked.
This case reveals a gap between visible confirmation and actual payment validation. In practice, the platform can confirm a booking on the host’s side while the payment or the traveler’s verification is not yet secured.
- Identity verification (selfie, ID) may be required before the payment is finalized, especially for long stays or new accounts.
- An instant booking may show as “confirmed” on the host’s side without the charge having gone through on the traveler’s side.
- In case of verification or payment failure, cancellation is automatic, but the host’s calendar has already been blocked for several hours or days.
For the traveler, this means that an unverified account can delay the actual consideration of the request, even if the amount has been blocked on the card.
Airbnb Installment Payment: eligibility criteria and geographical limits
Airbnb offers scheduled payments that allow for a stay to be paid in installments. This option, often highlighted, is far from universal.
Eligibility depends on several cumulative criteria:
- The stay must be far enough in the future (the booking must be made well before the arrival date).
- The total amount must exceed a minimum threshold, which varies by country.
- The payment method must be compatible (some prepaid cards or transfers are excluded).
- Last-minute bookings and those made with credits or gift cards are generally not eligible.
Installment payment is not available in all countries. A traveler booking from France will not have the same options as a traveler based outside the European Economic Area.
Specific payment conditions in the EEA
Users residing in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom are subject to distinct service conditions related to payments. This legal particularity, updated in February 2026, governs Airbnb Payments’ liability regarding disputes, refunds, and payment methods.
In practice, this means that recourse in the event of a dispute over a charge does not follow the same process depending on whether the traveler resides in France or the United States. European texts provide specific protections that do not apply outside the EEA.
Refusal or expiration of the request: actual refund time for funds
When a host declines a request or lets the response time expire, Airbnb cancels the transaction on the platform side. The traveler receives a nearly immediate notification. However, the actual refund of funds depends on the banking institution, not on Airbnb.
On a credit card, the lifting of pre-authorization can take from a few hours to a week depending on the banks. Some online banks process the operation in less than 48 hours, while traditional institutions may maintain the hold longer.
On PayPal or another e-wallet, the refund generally appears within a few business days. The traveler who needs this amount to book another accommodation must anticipate this delay.
A point often overlooked: if the request expires because the host did not respond, the traveler incurs no penalty and receives the full amount back. The host’s lack of response equates to an automatic refusal with no financial consequences for the traveler.
Airbnb’s advance payment mechanism protects both parties, but its clarity remains improvable. The determining factor for the traveler is not so much how Airbnb operates but how their own bank responds to pre-authorizations. Checking this point with their institution before booking avoids most unpleasant surprises.