Unable to buy gift card due to false CC declines

[Reece23]

I've tried 5 times to by a gift card through Airbnb and my card is declined every time. My bank says the problem is all on Airbnb's side. Has anyone else come across this? And how the heck to do you contact customer service for gift cards???

[Philip3049]

I am now having this exact same issue, except I'm having it while trying to pay for a booking up front.

I'm trying to book a 31-day stay, paid up front. My bank says the money is available. AirBnB is telling me that my payment is being declined, and specifically declined by my bank.

The issue is clearly on AirBnB's end. Not only are they saying that my bank is the one declining while my bank says the funds are available, but after the decline they sent me an official notification stating (redacted for privacy, emphasis mine):

"Action required. Your payment failed. Please pay [amount] by Jan 2 to keep your [location] reservation."

It's currently May. I'm trying to book for May through June. Yet they want me to pay "by Jan 2." It's clear that something on their end is borked, yet they refuse to admit it. They keep saying that the issue is on my bank's end, and whenever I ask about the incorrect dates they're sending me in notifications they ignore the query. (Notably, they don't claim it's a nonissue or that it's not indicative of broader problems. They just don't acknowledge it at all.)

It should be noted that the host has been as helpful as humanly possible, and has even agreed to take the listing down for a few days so it doesn't get sniped while I try to address this issue. That's above and beyond, as far as I'm concerned - so massive respect for the host. It's just that AirBnB themselves are not being helpful about this.

[Alex11051]

Same issue here. Repeatedly tried with various forms of payment but every time it has been declined. No help from the "Contact Us" chat or via the airbnbca@launchgiftcards.com email address. Is there any solution?

[Michael-Chestley0]

Same problem here.  Tried multiple times, a couple of different cards.  CC company says it's not their problem.  I ama now giving up and just sending a check to the people I want to send the gift card to.

AirBnB is no help.  "Refresh your page and try again," they tell me.  Then sometimes I get a message saying on the screen, "Something's wrong...try again in a little while."

[Lorina14]

@Michael-Chestley0,

Sorry to hear about your experience! When tech works it’s great and when it doesn’t it is really frustrating. 

@Bhumika @Paula @Rebecca can you send this to the right team? It appears from the thread that this has been an issue here and there. I would think Airbnb would want to fix this ASAP as they are losing potential revenue and guests.

[Paula]

Thanks for looping us in, @Lorina14. I am forwarding Michael's case to the team for review.

Since our Community Center is not a formal branch of the support team, they should contact you directly, @Michael-Chestley0.

[Michael-Chestley0]

Thanks, but I finally gave up and send the recipient a check.  Neither of the two credit card companies had a problem.  They said it was at Airbnb's end.  Frustrating.

[Dan21269]

I had the same problem. The solution I found was to order the Airbnb gift cards from paypal website, and pay through Paypal. It worked!

[Natalia1581]

Thank you SO MUCH, Dan! This is the most helpful tip! I have purchased a card through Amazon.  

[Pam2475]

I have been trying for 3 days and I get the same automated email response even after it says ‘ a live person will help you as soon as possible’, not helpful at all.  I have confirmed with my bank, there are no issues and I have tried multiple cards. Wanting to purchase $750 in gift cards has become frustrating and I guess it’s time to look somewhere else.  Very disappointing after being a supporter of Airbnb for over eight years.

[Robbie164]

Same issue as everyone else. I tried multiple valid cards and it gets declined every time. But I am able to make reservations on AirBnB and pay with the same card, so not sure where the breakdown is. Same resolution as some of the others — I'm just sending cash as a gift and they can decide where to spend it.

[Joan2709]

@Robbie164 

It may be just as well...many have commented here when they try to scratch off the number/pin the whole backing comes off on the Gift Card and they are unable to read the pin. Then when contacting Airbnb they get no where and Airbnb says it's not their problem. 

See this thread (there are others):

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Support-with-your-bookings/PIN-number-unable-to-be-read/m-p/2041...

Gift Card Pin

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3597

[Linda5025]

I'm having the same issue. It's so frustrating. I've spent way too long trying to still purchase a gift card. I've never had so many problems trying to purchase something. I'll ask my son what he wants for his bday instead of an Airbnb gift card bc I give up.

[Eleanor259]

I am having the same issue in 2025. I've contacted customer service who just told me to try the same things I have been trying (try a different card, wait and then try again etc). I contacted my bank first who said they are approving the transaction. Will be taking my business elsewhere if I cannot get it to work. 

[Kevin3918]

Same here in Dec 2025 - clearly an airbnb system issue they need to fix, no fault of any of our banks

[Mark6244]

@Kevin3918 I am having the exact same issue, declined with two different cards. Very frustrating.