Payments - How They Work: A Community Help Guide

[Dave-and-Deb0]

-----------------Updated June 2017--------------------

An updated version of this Community Guide is now available, click here to view.

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There are many guests and some hosts who do not understand how payments work on Airbnb.

When you make a payment on Airbnb, all monies are held by Airbnb and is not released to the host until 24 hours after the guest has checked in to the listing.  This is in case of a fraud listing but also so Airbnb can take care of the guest in case they need to enact the Guest Refund Policy (https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/544/guest-refund-policy).

Short Term Reservations (1-27 nights)

For all reservations that are 27 nights or less, your payment method is charged for the total cost of the reservation once the reservation becomes a confirmed booking.  This payment is not released to the host until 24 hours after you check in to make sure everything goes smoothly.  You will need to pay the entire amount using only one payment method and you cannot currently split payment methods.

Long Term Reservations (28+ nights)

For all reservations that are 28 nights and over, these are considered long term reservations.  Long term reservations, you’ll be charged a first month down payment when the reservation is confirmed and then the rest of the nights will be charged on a monthly basis.  You can find this information in the following links:

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/92

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/884

Security Deposits

Many people think that the security deposit is added to the total of the reservation, and this is NOT the case.

Airbnb does not charge the deposit UNLESS the host makes a claim within 48 hours of the guest checking out.  Here is an article indicating this: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/140

So essentially, if a guest complains they did not get their security deposit back, there is no security deposit to refund as they were never charged one.  If they insist, send them to www.airbnb.com/trips then click "View Receipt"  and they will see that there is no charge for security deposit.

Split Payments

A common question that many guests ask is, "Can I split my payment by paying half now, and half later" or, "Can I pay using two credit cards" or "Can I make a deposit"?

Unfortunately at this time, you cannot split payments and Airbnb does not take deposits. The total booking amount needs to be taken out of one payment method. Please check out this article for more information:

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/444

One way around this is asking the host if they would allow you to book half of your dates now and pay and block off the other half so payment can be made later.  When ready to pay for the second half, the host would unblock the dates and then you can book and pay for the second half.  This would however require a trusting host.

[Amaris0]

It's good of you to share helpful information as such.

Many thanks,

Ama

[Anonymous]

Many thanks @Dave-and-Deb0,

I would just add that there is only one exception to all payment due on Booking. For brasilian people, and only for them, for national and/or international bookings, airbnb allows them to pay by 3 steps with credit card. See this thread (sorry it's in Portuguese): https://community.airbnb.com/t5/Ajuda-da-Comunidade/Reserva/m-p/99129#M2974

[Dave-and-Deb0]

Thanks @Anonymous - I was going to mention this but decided not to as I am not sure how many people it would have affected.  Thanks for bringing it up and now everyone knows!

[Erla0]

Hi

I have one issue and do not know what to do,

I have not reveived one payment that was supposed to be in my bank acount no later than February the 15th.

I have received some other since then. Can you tell me what to do, I do not find anything on help center, no email to send to or phone number.

Hope to hear from you

Regards

Erla

[Kiara6]

On some houses I still see options to pay half now and the rest later

[Olivier188]

Hi ,

this is the first time our home is rented. It will be teh case in July. How can we make sure the funds have been received from the family renting our home? I understand that the funds will be credited to us the day after their arrival. is it the case? could we ask some deposit before?

 Thks for your reply

 Olivier

[Lizzie]

Hello Everyone,

Thanks for your participation here. I just wanted to let you know that there is now an updated version of this Community Guide, click here to view.

I will now close this topic for new posts. 

Thank you,

Lizzie