Why does the AIRBNB* charge appear instead of just 'Airbnb'?

Airbnb uses the shortened merchant descriptor AIRBNB* on bank statements, often followed by a booking ID or city name. This is Airbnb's standard billing format and is completely normal for any transaction processed through their platform.

Why does the AIRBNB* amount look different from my booking total?

Airbnb sometimes splits charges into separate transactions, billing the nightly rate and the Airbnb service fee as individual AIRBNB* line items, which is why the amount may not match your total booking cost exactly.

Can I get a refund on an AIRBNB* charge?

Yes, refunds on AIRBNB* charges are possible depending on the host's cancellation policy. Visit airbnb.com/resolutions or your booking page to request a refund, and Airbnb will process it back to your original payment method.

How do I cancel an Airbnb booking to stop an AIRBNB* charge?

Log into your Airbnb account, go to 'Trips,' select the relevant booking, and click 'Cancel Reservation.' The refund amount you receive from the AIRBNB* charge will depend on how far in advance you cancel relative to check-in.

How do I stop future AIRBNB* charges from appearing on my card?

To prevent future AIRBNB* charges, remove your saved payment method from your Airbnb account under Account Settings > Payments & Payouts, or ask your bank to block the AIRBNB* merchant if the charges are unauthorized.

Home›Browse Charges›Travel›AIRBNB*

AIRBNB* Charge (What It Is + Is It Legit?)

✓ Legitimate

The "AIRBNB*" charge is from Airbnb. Airbnb accommodation booking charge.

🌍 US🕐 8 min read📅 Updated May 22, 2026

Airbnb

Airbnb accommodation booking charge.

AIRBNB*

What is this charge?

Airbnb processes its payments through a system that truncates the company name followed by an asterisk, a common formatting convention used by many online travel and marketplace platforms to signal a digital transaction origin. When you book accommodation through Airbnb, the charge is billed directly by Airbnb Payments, Inc., their in-house payment processing entity, which submits the descriptor "AIRBNB*" to card networks as a standardized shorthand that fits within the character limits imposed by payment processors and issuing banks. The asterisk after AIRBNB acts as a separator that can be followed by additional booking reference details depending on your bank's display format, which is why some customers see variations like "AIRBNB* BOOKING" or simply "AIRBNB*" on their statements.

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How to handle this charge

Check Your Airbnb Trips

Log in to your Airbnb account and visit airbnb.com/trips to review your upcoming and past bookings. Match the charge amount on your bank statement labeled AIRBNB* with a confirmed reservation to verify it is a legitimate accommodation booking.

Review the Airbnb Booking Details

On your Airbnb trips page at airbnb.com/trips, click on the specific reservation and check the total cost breakdown. Airbnb charges can include the nightly rate, cleaning fees, and service fees, so confirm the AIRBNB* charge matches the total amount shown in your booking summary.

Check Airbnb's Payment Schedule

Visit airbnb.com and review your account's transaction history under your profile payment settings. Some Airbnb reservations are charged in installments or at specific times before check-in, so make sure the AIRBNB* charge aligns with the expected payment date for your booking.

Contact Airbnb Support If Needed

If you cannot match the AIRBNB* charge to any booking in your trips at airbnb.com/trips, reach out to Airbnb's customer support directly through airbnb.com to request clarification on the charge before considering a dispute with your bank.

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Quick fraud check

No, this is a legitimate charge from Airbnb. However, if you did not authorize this charge or cancelled your subscription, you may be eligible for a refund.

ℹ️ Note

In most cases, seeing "AIRBNB*" on your statement is completely normal. Before assuming fraud, check your recent purchases — most mystery charges have a simple explanation.

Is the AIRBNB* Charge Legitimate or Fraud?

If you see AIRBNB* on your bank or credit card statement, it is most likely a legitimate charge from Airbnb, the popular online marketplace for short-term home rentals and travel experiences. Airbnb uses the merchant descriptor AIRBNB* followed by a booking reference or location name to identify transactions processed through their platform.

Common legitimate reasons you may see an AIRBNB* charge include:

A reservation payment for a short-term rental property booked through Airbnb
An Airbnb Experience booking, such as a guided tour or activity
A security deposit hold placed by an Airbnb host at check-in
A damage claim or resolution center payment processed by Airbnb after your stay
An Airbnb service fee charged as a separate line item from the nightly rate

However, if you do not recognize the AIRBNB* charge and have not made any bookings, your card details may have been compromised. In that case, you should act quickly to verify and dispute the charge.

How to Verify the AIRBNB* Charge

1
Log into your Airbnb account
Visit airbnb.com or open the Airbnb app and navigate to 'Trips' and then 'Transaction History' to see all payments processed under your account that would appear as AIRBNB* on your statement.
2
Search your email for Airbnb receipts
Search your inbox for emails from no-reply@airbnb.com or noreply@airbnb.com. Airbnb sends booking confirmations and payment receipts that will match the AIRBNB* charge amount and date.
3
Check with household members or travel companions
Ask family members or anyone who may share access to your payment method whether they made an Airbnb booking, as the AIRBNB* charge could have been made by someone you know using your card.
4
Match the charge amount to your booking
Cross-reference the exact dollar amount of the AIRBNB* charge with your Airbnb booking total, including nightly rate, cleaning fee, and the Airbnb service fee, which are sometimes billed separately.
5
Contact Airbnb support directly
If you still cannot identify the AIRBNB* charge, contact Airbnb's customer support at airbnb.com/help or call their helpline and provide the charge amount and date for them to trace the transaction.

How to Dispute an AIRBNB* Charge

1
Act within 60 days of the charge
Most banks and card issuers require you to initiate a dispute within 60 days of the AIRBNB* charge appearing on your statement, so do not delay once you identify an unauthorized or incorrect transaction.
2
Contact Airbnb's Resolution Center first
Before escalating to your bank, visit airbnb.com/resolutions to open a case with Airbnb directly. Airbnb can often issue a refund for erroneous AIRBNB* charges faster than a formal chargeback process.
3
File a chargeback with your bank
If Airbnb does not resolve your issue within a reasonable timeframe, contact your bank or card issuer to file a formal chargeback, citing the AIRBNB* charge as unauthorized or not matching the agreed service.
4
Request a new card number
If the AIRBNB* charge appears to be fraudulent and you did not authorize it, ask your bank to cancel your current card and issue a new one to prevent any further unauthorized charges from appearing.