In everywhere but India, if the Host accepts your request, you'll be charged for the reservation. If they decline or don't respond within 24 hours, there's no charge and you'll be free to book a different stay instead. For guests paying in Indian rupees, you'll be charged for the reservation when you request to book.
Airbnb requires every guest to pay for their bookings either via debit or credit card. Guests are not allowed to pay on arrival or through a bank/wire transfer. All guests must confirm their payment details when making a reservation. Hosts do not receive any payment until 24 hours after their guests check in.
When renting a room through Airbnb, you should never be asked to send or transfer money directly to a host, or provide credit card or bank details. Payment should be made through Airbnb's online system, which handles the payment safely and ensures that your bank details remain secure.
Asking your guest to pay a security deposit outside of Airbnb – for example, in cash upon check-in – is strictly against Airbnb's rules. If you get caught doing this, you'll be kicked off the platform.
Of course, we are just a single data point, but cancellations do occur and when they do, an extra 10% certainly helps with finding a new place closer in to your travel date, when there's less inventory and frequently higher prices. In short, we think it's safer to pay in full upfront.
Even if you follow all of our steps, there's no guarantee that you'll eliminate Airbnb spying. Hosts don't need hidden cameras and microphones to spy on you during your stay. They can monitor the Airbnb's WiFi network and snoop on your online activity.
Verifying the identity of guests and Hosts helps us to: Scan for fraudulent behavior. Do background checks where permitted under applicable laws. Understand if a malicious actor has taken control of an account.
All Hosts are required to have a profile photo, and some Hosts require the same of their guests to book. Guest profile photos aren't displayed until after a booking is confirmed and can be removed at any time.
Depending on the length of your stay, when you cancel, and the cancellation policy that applies to your reservation, you may get a partial refund if you cancel after check-in - learn more about different cancellation policies. Learn more about how refunds work for cancellations.