An Airbnb gift card can be a convenient way to give someone travel money without choosing a specific property, destination or travel date. Instead of buying a particular hotel stay, you can give eligible recipients credit that can be added to their Airbnb account and used toward qualifying bookings.
However, Airbnb gift cards don't work exactly like ordinary retail gift cards or Airbnb promo codes. Availability depends on the recipient's country or region, gift cards may have different eligible uses depending on where they were purchased, and some regions have additional payment-method requirements.
Airbnb currently offers both physical and digital gift cards. Digital cards can be purchased directly through Airbnb in selected countries, while physical cards are available through participating retailers in certain markets. Airbnb says gift cards generally don't expire, and once the balance has been added to an account, available funds can be used over multiple purchases until exhausted.
This guide explains how Airbnb gift cards work, where they're available, how to buy and redeem them, how to check your balance, and what you should know before purchasing one.
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What Is an Airbnb Gift Card?
An Airbnb gift card is prepaid value that can be added to an eligible Airbnb account and used toward qualifying Airbnb services.
Airbnb currently offers two primary formats:
Digital gift cards, delivered electronically
Physical gift cards, available through participating retailers in selected countries
Both formats contain a gift-card number and PIN that are used during redemption.
Once a gift card is redeemed, its value becomes gift-card balance associated with the user's Airbnb account.
That means you don't normally carry the physical card around after redemption. Instead, the available balance can be applied to eligible bookings through the Airbnb platform.
Where Can You Buy Airbnb Gift Cards?
Airbnb gift cards aren't sold everywhere.
Airbnb's current official availability information says digital gift cards purchased directly from Airbnb are available in countries including:
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Croatia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States
Brazil has a different arrangement: Airbnb says gift cards aren't available for purchase directly on Airbnb.com there, but can be purchased through participating third-party retailers and stores.
Physical gift cards are available through participating retailers in a smaller group of markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia-related markets and several European countries. Availability can change, so check Airbnb's current gift-card page before purchasing.
Can You Buy an Airbnb Gift Card for Someone in Another Country?
Usually, you can't simply purchase a gift card in one country and send it to someone living anywhere in the world.
Airbnb says gift cards can generally only be purchased for someone in the same country or region as the purchaser, and the recipient must have a valid payment method issued in that country.
There is an important exception within the European Economic Area (EEA): Airbnb says a buyer in one eligible EEA country can purchase a gift card for someone in another eligible EEA country, provided the recipient has a valid payment method in that country.
This is one of the most important things to check before buying a gift card for a friend or family member who lives abroad.
How to Buy an Airbnb Gift Card
If Airbnb gift cards are available in your market, the purchase process depends on the format you choose.
Digital Gift Cards
Digital gift cards purchased through Airbnb are delivered electronically.
Airbnb's official gift-card page says U.S. customers can purchase eGift cards that are delivered by text or email.
The exact delivery method and purchase options can vary by country.
Physical Gift Cards
Physical Airbnb gift cards can be purchased through participating retailers in supported countries.
In the United States, Airbnb's current gift-card page identifies participating retailers including Target, Walmart, Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Safeway and Whole Foods.
If you're buying a physical card, make sure you're purchasing it from Airbnb or an authorized participating retailer.
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How to Redeem an Airbnb Gift Card
You need an Airbnb account to use a gift card.
If you don't already have one, Airbnb says you'll need to create an account before redeeming the card.
Airbnb's current redemption instructions are straightforward:
Sign in to your Airbnb account.
Open the gift-card redemption page.
Enter the required gift-card information.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Select Redeem gift card.
Airbnb says the card's value is transferred to your account after redemption.
Keep the card number and PIN secure until you've successfully added the funds to your account.
What Happens After You Redeem the Gift Card?
Once redeemed, the full value of the gift card becomes available as gift-card balance on your Airbnb account.
For example, if you redeem a gift card worth $200, the available value is shown as gift-card credit in your account rather than remaining as a separate physical-card balance.
If you use only part of the balance on your first booking, the unused amount remains available for future eligible purchases. Airbnb says gift-card balances can be used multiple times until the available value has been exhausted.
This makes an Airbnb gift card different from a single-use coupon.
Do Airbnb Gift Cards Expire?
No. Airbnb says its gift cards do not expire.
This applies both while the value remains on the card and after it has been added to an Airbnb account.
Airbnb nevertheless recommends adding a gift card to your account as soon as possible to reduce the risk of losing or misplacing the card.
There can also be legal exceptions. For example, Airbnb notes that U.S. gift-card balances left unused for multiple years may become subject to applicable state unclaimed-property laws.
How to Check Your Airbnb Gift Card Balance
After redeeming a gift card, you can check the available balance through your Airbnb account.
Airbnb's current instructions for desktop say to:
Open Menu.
Select Account settings.
Go to Payments.
Open the Airbnb gift-credit section.
Select Current balance to review the available amount and associated gift cards.
Airbnb says the balance is automatically applied when you make an eligible booking.
This means you generally don't need to manually enter the gift-card number every time you book.
Can You Use Multiple Airbnb Gift Cards?
Yes, Airbnb says multiple gift cards can be redeemed on a single account.
Their available balances can then contribute toward eligible purchases.
This can be useful if you receive several smaller gift cards instead of one larger card.
However, regional terms can affect how gift cards can be used, so check the rules applicable to your country before assuming every gift card can be combined for every type of booking.
Can You Use an Airbnb Gift Card More Than Once?
Yes.
Airbnb says available gift-card credit can be used multiple times until the full value has been used.
For example, you might use part of the balance toward one eligible stay and save the remaining amount for another reservation.
This makes gift cards particularly useful when you don't know the recipient's exact travel plans at the time of gifting.
What Can Airbnb Gift Cards Be Used For?
The eligible uses depend on the country or region.
In many markets, Airbnb says gift cards can be used for:
Accommodation
Airbnb Experiences
Airbnb Services
However, Airbnb specifically states that gift cards purchased in the European Economic Area and Switzerland can only be used to book accommodations. Experiences and Services aren't included in those regions.
Airbnb's U.S. gift-card terms similarly allow eligible gift cards to be used toward accommodations, Experiences and Services, subject to the applicable terms.
Therefore, don't assume that an Airbnb gift card has identical functionality worldwide.
Can Airbnb Gift Cards Pay for the Entire Booking?
Potentially, but you may still need another payment method.
Airbnb's general gift-card information says that if the purchase exceeds the available gift-card balance, the remaining amount must be paid using another payment method.
Airbnb also says that in many parts of the world, guests still need to provide an alternate payment method even if their gift-card balance covers the full reservation.
So, keep a valid payment method connected to your Airbnb account rather than assuming the gift card will always be sufficient by itself.
What If the Gift Card Balance Isn't Enough?
You can pay the remaining amount using another eligible payment method.
For example, if you have $150 of gift-card credit and an eligible reservation requires $200, the $150 balance can be applied and the remaining $50 can be charged to another payment method, subject to Airbnb's applicable payment rules.
This allows gift cards to function as partial payment rather than requiring the entire reservation to be covered by the card.
What Happens If You Cancel a Booking Paid With a Gift Card?
Airbnb says that if a booking is canceled and gift-card funds were used for the purchase, the applicable refunded amount can return to the gift-card balance, subject to the cancellation policy.
That means canceling a reservation doesn't necessarily mean the gift-card value disappears.
However, the amount returned and the timing of the refund can depend on the reservation's cancellation terms.
Always review the cancellation policy before booking.
Can You Transfer Airbnb Gift Card Balance to Someone Else?
Once a gift card has been redeemed and its value has been added to an Airbnb account, the balance generally cannot be transferred to another Airbnb account.
For example, the U.S. gift-card terms state that once a gift card is added to an account, its value cannot be transferred to another person or Airbnb account.
This is why you should be certain that you're redeeming the card into the correct Airbnb account.
If you're giving someone an Airbnb gift card, it is usually better to send the unused gift card to the intended recipient rather than redeeming it into your own account first.
Can Airbnb Gift Cards Be Exchanged for Cash?
Generally, no.
Airbnb's gift-card terms say gift cards cannot be redeemed for cash except where required by law. They also cannot generally be resold or transferred for value.
Treat an Airbnb gift card as travel spending value rather than cash.
You should also avoid buying or selling gift-card balances through unofficial marketplaces because doing so can create fraud and redemption risks.
Can You Buy Another Gift Card With Airbnb Gift-Card Credit?
No.
Airbnb's U.S. gift-card terms specifically prohibit using gift-card balances to purchase other gift cards. Similar restrictions appear in other regional terms.
The intended use is to purchase eligible Airbnb services rather than convert one gift card into another form of stored value.
See More Details: Airbnb Promo Codes & Coupons: What Discounts Are Actually Available?
Airbnb Gift Cards vs. Airbnb Promo Codes
Gift cards and promo codes serve different purposes.
Airbnb Gift Card
A gift card contains prepaid value that can be added to an eligible account and used toward qualifying purchases.
Airbnb Promo Code
A coupon or promotional code provides a discount when the specific promotional conditions are met.
Airbnb Promotional Credit
Airbnb can also issue promotional credit under specific programs. Airbnb's credit terms explain that promotional credit isn't cash, isn't a gift card, is generally non-transferable and can have its own expiration date.
The distinction matters because an Airbnb gift card generally doesn't expire, while promotional credit may have a specific expiration date.
Airbnb Gift Cards vs. Airbnb Travel Credit
These terms are sometimes used interchangeably online, but they shouldn't be.
A gift card is purchased or received as a gift and represents prepaid value.
Airbnb promotional credit is issued by Airbnb under a particular promotion or program and is governed by that program's terms.
For example, Airbnb's current hotel-credit documentation says certain promotional Airbnb credits can expire one year after issuance, while its general gift-card guidance says gift cards never expire.
So, if you receive "Airbnb credit," check exactly what type of credit it is before assuming it has the same rules as a gift card.
Common Airbnb Gift Card Problems
Gift-card issues can often be traced to a few common causes.
Incorrect Card Number or PIN
Airbnb recommends checking the gift-card number and PIN carefully because long alphanumeric codes can be easy to mistype.
The Card Has Already Been Redeemed
If the card has already been added to an Airbnb account, check the account's gift-card balance rather than attempting to redeem the card again.
The Booking Isn't Eligible
Certain transactions aren't eligible for gift-card payment.
Airbnb says gift cards can't be used for payments such as Resolution Center transactions or certain other charges.
Country Restrictions
A gift card purchased in one market may not work for a recipient living elsewhere.
Always check the applicable country rules before purchasing.
Lost Gift Card
Airbnb warns that recovering a lost physical or digital gift card can be difficult if you don't know its number and PIN. That's why Airbnb recommends adding the gift card to your account as soon as possible.
How to Buy an Airbnb Gift Card Safely
If you're planning to purchase one, use this checklist:
Check that Airbnb gift cards are available in your country.
Confirm the recipient lives in an eligible country or region.
Buy directly from Airbnb or an authorized participating retailer.
Avoid unofficial gift-card marketplaces.
Keep the gift-card number and PIN private.
Make sure you're sending the card to the intended recipient.
Check the applicable regional terms.
Redeem the card into the correct Airbnb account.
Keep your payment method up to date.
These steps can reduce the risk of buying a card that the intended recipient cannot use.
- See More Details: Airbnb Referral Credits: How the Guest Referral Program Works
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Airbnb gift cards expire?
No. Airbnb says gift cards and their balances do not expire, although U.S. balances left unused for multiple years can potentially be affected by state unclaimed-property laws.
Where can I buy Airbnb gift cards?
Airbnb gift cards are available in selected countries through Airbnb online and participating physical or online retailers. Availability varies by country.
Can I use an Airbnb gift card for Experiences?
In many markets, yes. However, Airbnb says gift cards purchased in the EEA and Switzerland can only be used for accommodations.
Can I use an Airbnb gift card for Services?
In eligible markets, Airbnb says gift cards can be used toward Services. Regional restrictions apply.
Can I use multiple Airbnb gift cards?
Yes. Airbnb says multiple gift cards can be redeemed on one account.
Can I use an Airbnb gift card more than once?
Yes. Available credit can be used across multiple eligible purchases until the balance is exhausted.
Can I transfer my Airbnb gift-card balance?
Generally, no. Once a gift card is redeemed into an account, its balance cannot generally be transferred to another Airbnb account.
Can I get cash for an Airbnb gift card?
Generally, no. Airbnb's terms prohibit cash redemption except where required by applicable law.
What if my Airbnb gift card doesn't cover the whole booking?
The remaining amount can generally be paid with another eligible payment method, subject to Airbnb's applicable payment rules.
Do I need an Airbnb account to redeem a gift card?
Yes. Airbnb says you must have an Airbnb account to use a gift card.
Can I buy an Airbnb gift card for someone in another country?
Usually not. Airbnb says gift cards are generally limited to the purchaser's country or region, with an EEA exception allowing certain cross-country purchases within the EEA.
Conclusion
Airbnb gift cards can be a flexible way to give travel value without choosing a specific property or destination in advance. Eligible users can redeem a card into an Airbnb account and use the available balance toward qualifying Airbnb bookings.
The biggest consideration is country availability. Airbnb doesn't offer gift cards in every market, and the permitted uses can differ by region. In many markets, gift cards can be used for Homes, Experiences and Services, while Airbnb says EEA and Switzerland gift cards are restricted to accommodations.
The good news is that Airbnb gift cards don't expire, can be used multiple times and can be combined as balances on an eligible account.
Before buying one, verify that the recipient is in an eligible market and that the gift card can be used for the type of Airbnb purchase they want. Buy through Airbnb or an authorized retailer, protect the card number and PIN, and redeem it into the correct account.
For travelers and gift buyers, the most important rule is simple: check Airbnb's current regional gift-card terms before purchasing, because availability and permitted uses can vary by country.
