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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Renting a home this fall? Here’s your guide to redeeming credit card points for Airbnb
Chris was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel. At TPG, he wrote a broad array of stories ranging from in-depth features and reports to trending travel news as it related to loyalty, card benefits and consumer behavior.
October 21, 2021 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
You can redeem certain credit card points to offset the cost of Airbnb stays, though Airbnb does not have its own loyalty program.
Options include redeeming points for statement credits, using travel portals when Airbnb properties are listed, or purchasing Airbnb gift cards with points.
Some cards offer temporary promotions or travel credits that can be applied to Airbnb bookings, providing additional value.
Generally, redeeming points for Airbnb is less lucrative than transferring them to airline or hotel partners, but it can be useful in specific situations.
What to consider
Some redemption methods, such as statement credits or travel portal bookings, may only be available for a limited time or with specific cards.
Airbnb purchases typically code as 'travel,' which can trigger bonus rewards or credits depending on your card's features.
Gift card redemptions often provide a lower value for points compared to other travel redemptions, per TPG's valuations as of June 2024.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of the best strategies and scenarios for maximizing value when using points for Airbnb stays.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Booking through Airbnb is frequently my lodging accommodation of choice. Between the extra space you can stake out compared to an average hotel room, the comforts of home, and one-of-a-kind properties across the platform, it’s no surprise that it’s a popular option for vacationers.
Since you’re reading TPG, however, you must be wondering — is it possible to redeem credit card points for Airbnb stays? The answer is yes, it is. Let’s dive in to find out what your options are. This magical Airbnb near Atlanta will bring all your childhood dreams to life. (Photo courtesy of Airbnb)
Redeeming points for Airbnb properties
Enjoy Santorini living in this picturesque Airbnb. (Photo courtesy of Airbnb)
The first thing you should know is that, unlike many major hotel chains, Airbnb does not have a loyalty program. No matter how often you book through Airbnb, you won't earn a free stay directly through the platform. However, you can still leverage your credit card earnings and points to help offset the cost of an Airbnb booking. Here are some of the top strategies for doing so.
Limited time only: Use Chase Pay Yourself Back for Airbnb purchases
If you carry the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can redeem your points through Chase's Pay Yourself Back (PYB) tool at a rate of 1.25 or 1.5 cents, respectively for Airbnb purchases — now through Mar. 31, 2022.
(Screenshot courtesy of Chase)
Pay Yourself Back is simple and easy to use. Pay for your Airbnb with your Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve. Then the eligible transaction should show up in your Chase portal under "recent purchases within the past 90 days." Enter the number of points you'd like to redeem, and you should receive a statement credit within three business days.
Thanks to this option, using PYB for an Airbnb purchase is pretty similar to redeeming Chase points directly through the issuer's travel portal, and the advantageous rates you get with either the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve make this a really attractive option for saving money on a stay.
Use a credit card travel portal
Airbnb is a platform — not an actual accommodation — so it usually isn’t possible to use credit card points to directly book an Airbnb through a travel portal such as Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Travel.
However, some individual Airbnb properties are actually listed on other websites besides Airbnb. For instance, you can often find some homes and boutique hotels listed by professional property managers via online travel agencies, including the major credit card travel portals. In these cases, you should be able to use the travel portal of your choice to book the property and redeem points in your account. Eat, pray and love in this secluded villa in Bali. (Photo courtesy of Airbnb)
For Chase fans, when you book travel through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal using your Chase Sapphire Reserve, your Ultimate Rewards points are worth 1.5 cents each. If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, each point is worth 1.25 cents each.
Simply search for properties through the Chase portal and then opt to use points rather than paying money when you check out.
Using points or miles to ‘pay’ for an Airbnb purchase
(Screenshot courtesy of Capital One)
Another option to use your credit card points or miles for Airbnb is to simply pay for the purchase with your card and then “redeem” your points for a statement credit against the charge. This can be a valuable option for many fixed-point value credit card programs.
For instance, while you can transfer miles to airline and hotel partners, Capital One also makes it easy to redeem miles for travel purchases up to 90 days after they are made. On the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you can eliminate travel purchases directly from your statement within a few clicks.
Use points to buy Airbnb gift cards
Use your Ultimate Rewards points at a rate of 1 cent each for gift cards such as Airbnb. (Screenshot courtesy of Chase)
Some credit card programs feature Airbnb gift cards as a potential redemption option. For Chase Ultimate Rewards, it’s a 1-point-for-1-cent conversion for gift cards. This isn’t a terrible redemption opportunity, but your points could be worth more when transferring to airline and hotel partners — or with some cards, by using the Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
Using your card’s travel credits
Check out this gorgeous Airbnb Luxe stay in Barcelona. (Photo courtesy of Airbnb)
While not exactly using points, if your card comes with a travel statement credit, don’t forget that you may be able to use it for Airbnb stays. The Chase Sapphire Reserve, for instance, comes with a travel credit of up to $300 each account anniversary year, which is automatically applied to an extensive range of travel costs, including Airbnb stays.
Should you redeem points for Airbnb stays?
Generally, I wouldn’t recommend redeeming points for Airbnb stays, but there are cases where it can make sense. This includes using Chase's PYB tool, redeeming points to eliminate a purchase or booking an Airbnb property that you can find through a credit card travel portal.
Personally, I’d prefer to pay in cash and use a card that gets you a category bonus for Airbnb purchases, such as the American Express® Green Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Then, I’d redeem those card points for airfare or other more lucrative travel options.
Paying with cash? Consider these cards
It’s not often that you can say you’ve stayed in a castle. This property is located in the Loire Valley of France. (Photo courtesy of Airbnb)
Airbnb typically codes as “travel” on your credit card statement. This means it will trigger any bonus points or annual credits offered in the travel category.
My preferred card for Airbnb purchases is the Amex Green Card. You get 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar on the broad category of travel, which includes flights, car rentals, hotels, and home rentals (including Airbnb). 3x equates to a 6% return based on TPG valuations. You’ll also get 3x on restaurant purchases and 3x on transit, including ride-sharing services, subway swipes, and tolls. The card comes with a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Another great option is to buy Airbnb gift cards from an office supply store with the Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card. Going this route will earn you 5% cash back (on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year) or 5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent when paired with a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card. That's a whopping 10% return on spending based on TPG's current valuations.
Bottom line
While it is possible, redeeming credit card points for Airbnb stays isn’t the most lucrative way to use your hard-earned rewards. If you have points with a transferable currency — such as Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards — it may make more sense to transfer and use those points toward higher value redemptions.
However, if you’re sitting on a pile of credit card points, know that you can redeem them for Airbnb stays too, and that doing so might help you save money for your next adventure.
For rates and fees of the Amex Green, please click here.
Additional reporting by Stella Shon.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
