Removing credit card once booking made but not yet used

[Marina1800]

I don't like leaving my credit card info on-line because it's been stolen several times.  So once a reservation has been made but hasn't been used (in my case it's 5 months away), can I go ahead and remove my credit card?

[Pat271]

@Marina1800  That’s a really good question. I don’t see why you shouldn’t be able to, as long as you put it back a couple of weeks before check-in. On the other hand, I’ve read where Airbnb bots go out there and check to make sure credit cards are valid, usually a week or two before check-in. If there is a problem with the credit card, they probably message the guest, and if the guest doesn’t respond, they cancel the reservation. I have read about reservations cancelled for this reason. However I don’t work in the Airbnb Finance dept. and therefore don’t know the exact process.

I know as a host it is deflating when reservations get cancelled, so it’s hard for me to recommend for you to remove it. But it’s possible that you can remove it until closer to the check-in date. If I were you, I would call Airbnb and (try to) get the exact payment process and timing.

[Marina1800]

Thanks Pat.  I was originally told by AirBnB support that I could do this once a booking had been paid for.  However, the system will not allow it.  When I try to remove my credit card, I get an error message stating that it can't be removed because it's associated with an active booking.  So I reached out to AirBnB support....again.  Pretty much expecting to hear a "sorry, no can do" because that would most likely require a software program re-design.  We shall see🙃

[Fred13]

There is also the split-payment issue ~IF~ you allow this with your bookings with Airbnb. Guests do like this split option with reservations way in advance or with high-price places.