New Airbnb Chargeback Policy = More Risk for Hosts
Overview
It is being reported that as of September 8, 2025, Airbnb has updated its payment and chargeback policies, shifting certain financial liabilities to hosts. Under the new terms, hosts may now be responsible for refunding the full cost of a disputed charge, even if the guest completed their stay without issue.
After contacting Airbnb’s Superhost Support, our team was unable to locate any official communication or help-center article detailing these changes. Airbnb’s representatives confirmed that they are the merchant of record for guest transactions, but were unable to provide further information about how disputes are handled under the new policy.
This has left many hosts searching for answers online. According to multiple reports and discussions on LinkedIn and Reddit, hosts have begun to see chargebacks processed against their payouts without visibility into the dispute timeline or process.
Let’s break down what’s changing, why it matters for your bottom line, and how you can become less reliant on Airbnb with tech solutions that protect your revenue across all platforms.
What Changed
Host liability: If a guest disputes a charge with their bank and wins, hosts may be required to repay the entire amount. Airbnb will provide documentation during the dispute, but ultimately, it’s the host who absorbs the loss.
Friendly fraud risk: “Friendly fraud” occurs when a guest stays, enjoys the trip, and then files a chargeback claiming they didn’t authorize the payment or didn’t receive what they paid for. Hosts could now lose both the payout and the booked dates.
Uncertain protection: Airbnb remains the merchant of record, but the safety net for hosts appears thinner. Reports indicate that payouts may also be delayed if funds are held during dispute review.
Why This Matters
This change could directly affect host income stability and cash flow. Here’s why many in the hosting community are paying attention:
Cash flow disruption: A guest could stay for a week, leave a positive review, and then dispute the charge weeks later. Hosts may suddenly see their payouts withdrawn, disrupting predictable income.
Increased cancellations by stealth: A chargeback can function like an after-the-fact cancellation, leaving hosts without payment and unable to rebook those same dates.
Limited transparency: Airbnb manages the dispute process with the bank, meaning hosts have little insight into the evidence presented or the outcome.
What Hosts Can Do
While hosts cannot control Airbnb’s internal policy updates, they can take steps to protect their businesses and reduce exposure.
1. Document Everything
Maintain detailed records for each stay:
Time-stamped photos before and after guest check-ins
Communication threads within the Airbnb app
Confirmation messages and review screenshots
The stronger your documentation, the more leverage Airbnb has when disputing chargebacks on your behalf.
2. Use Stricter Cancellation Policies
Looser policies create more openings for financial risk. Consider tightening your cancellation terms to minimize potential losses.
3. Be Cautious with High-Risk Bookings
Exercise additional scrutiny for new accounts, last-minute reservations, or guests with limited communication history.
4. Adjust Your Pricing Strategy
Consider adding a small pricing buffer to offset potential losses from disputes or chargebacks.
5. Build Revenue Streams Beyond the Stay
This isn’t the only recent change shifting liability onto hosts while Airbnb retains the profit. The company’s new “Services” feature primarily benefits Airbnb, allowing outside vendors to perform in-home services without providing liability protection for the host.
With The Host Co, hosts can add amenities and upsells from vetted local vendors that actually generate profit — think private chefs, massages, fresh flowers, and more. Hosts can also offer early check-ins, late check-outs, in-home services, and even trip and travel insurance across platforms. These offerings not only elevate guest experience, but also create reliable revenue streams that live outside any single platform’s policies.
READ MORE: CONFUSED ABOUT AIRBNB SERVICES? HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.
6. Keep Records Beyond Airbnb
Hosts should maintain independent guest files that include communications, payment details, and documentation stored outside Airbnb’s platform.
The Bigger Picture
This change signals a continued shift in how Airbnb manages platform risk.
The company appears to be focusing on compliance with payment processors and banks.
Hosts, meanwhile, assume more financial responsibility in the event of disputes.
Because Airbnb remains a dominant booking platform, the company may feel confident in pushing through policy changes without direct communication to hosts.
However, the market landscape is evolving. More than 56% of short-term rental bookings are now taking place off Airbnb, as hosts build direct booking channels and diversify where their income originates.
Tools like The Host Co help make that diversification possible. With The Host Co, you can deliver a consistent guest experience across platforms and soon embed your digital store directly into your direct booking website. That means full control over upsells, services, and fees — no matter where your guests book.
READ MORE: THIS HOST DOUBLED THEIR REVENUE VIA THEIR HOST CO STORE
What We’re Hearing from Hosts
On platforms like LinkedIn and Reddit, hosts are voicing growing concern:
“I can’t believe people aren’t up in arms about this. Airbnb basically just sides with the guest, and we’re left footing the bill.”
While the full impact of this policy is still unfolding, the host community is unified on one point: transparency and control are more important than ever.
Bottom Line
Airbnb’s new chargeback policy could expose hosts to greater financial risk and unpredictable cash flow.
The best protection right now is to:
Document every stay
Use stricter policies
Watch for risky bookings
Maintain independent records
Diversify income beyond Airbnb
The Host Co was created to help hosts do exactly that: manage fees across platforms, generate new revenue through guest upsells, and protect business income with tools like trip insurance and embeddable stores.
👉 Create your free Host Co store today to take control of your guest experience and your payouts.
