The short answer
This is a charge for an Airbnb booking, Experience, or damage claim.
What is the Airbnb charge?
A charge marked as AIRBNB * INC on your billing statement indicates a payment processed by Airbnb, Inc., the global marketplace for vacation rentals, short-term homestays, and boutique experiences. When you book accommodation or reserve an activity, Airbnb handles the payment collection directly through its secure platform. This descriptor confirms an official transaction for a lodging reservation, guest service fee, or property-related payment.
This charge most commonly appears when you book a stay or when an upcoming installment becomes due. For example, a $540.00 charge could represent a complete weekend rental, an initial reservation deposit, or the second installment of Airbnb's 'Pay Part Now, Part Later' payment plan. Other triggers include bookings made by family members sharing your account, alterations to an existing trip, extended stay dates, or fees requested by a host through the Airbnb Resolution Center for pet fees or incidental expenses.
To confirm the details of the charge, sign into your account at airbnb.com or open the Airbnb mobile app. Navigate to your Trips tab to review active, upcoming, and past reservations. Under your Account Settings, select Payments & Payouts to inspect a complete transaction history with downloadable PDF receipts that break down nightly rates, cleaning fees, local occupancy taxes, and guest service fees.
If you do not have an Airbnb account and no one in your household booked travel, your card details may have been compromised. Fraudulent vacation rental bookings are a frequent problem when card data is stolen in external merchant breaches. Check with authorized card users first, and if the transaction remains unrecognized, contact your bank or card issuer immediately to file a fraud dispute and freeze the card.
Security Deposits and Holds
For certain properties, Airbnb places a temporary authorization hold on your payment method up to 48 hours before your check-in time to cover potential property damage. An authorization hold is not a finalized charge, but it temporarily reduces your available credit or checking account balance.
If no damage is reported by the host after your stay, Airbnb automatically releases the hold within 14 days of checkout, or before another guest checks in. Depending on your bank or credit card company's posting speeds, the funds typically reappear in your available balance within 3 to 7 business days after the release.
Split Payments
When booking an eligible stay weeks or months in advance, you can choose Airbnb's 'Pay Part Now, Part Later' option. This plan divides your total reservation cost into two payments: an initial deposit charged at the time of booking, and a remaining balance charged automatically closer to your check-in date.
Airbnb sends a reminder email several days before charging the second installment. If the second payment fails due to insufficient funds or an expired card, Airbnb gives you a short grace period to update your payment method before the host has the right to cancel your reservation.
Why was I charged a resolution center fee?
If a host claims you damaged their property or broke house rules, they can request money through the Resolution Center. If you don't respond, or if Airbnb sides with the host, they will charge your card on file.
When does the Airbnb security deposit drop off?
The hold is officially released by Airbnb up to 14 days after checkout. Depending on your bank's processing times, it may take an additional 3-7 days for the funds to reappear in your available balance.
Dispute Rights & Fraud Prevention
If you notice an unexpected charge from Airbnb, check whether a host filed a reimbursement claim through the Airbnb Resolution Center. Hosts can request extra funds for unexpected guests, late checkouts, or damaged items within 14 days of checkout. If you fail to respond to a Resolution Center notification within 72 hours, Airbnb reviews the host's documentation and may automatically charge your default payment card.
If you never authorized the reservation or suspect someone gained access to your Airbnb profile, change your account password immediately and check for unfamiliar login sessions in your security settings. Report the unauthorized booking to Airbnb customer support through airbnb.com/help and contact your bank to dispute the charge and protect your account from further unauthorized transactions.
Independent reference — not affiliated with Airbnb. Billing names and policies change; verify with the merchant or your bank before acting.
Verified sources
Every claim on this page is checked against official sources — open them to confirm before you call your bank.
- Airbnb Payments FAQ https://www.airbnb.com
- CFPB Cardholder Dispute & Billing Rights Guide https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-dispute-a-charge-on-my-credit-card-en-1965/
Reviewed Aug 5, 2026 · high · About UnknownCharges