Optimize for Airbnb
New API feature available from select property management software (PMS) providers to eligible hosts to help prioritize getting bookings from Airbnb guests through data‑driven recommendations. Try it now and access a limited-time 1% rebate from Airbnb on qualifying completed stays.

During a recent pilot, listings that opted into Optimize for Airbnb opportunities had, on average, ~60% more nights occupied by Airbnb guests than similar listings that did not opt in.*
Why opt in
1% rebate from Airbnb | |
|---|---|
Access a limited-time 1% rebate from Airbnb on qualifying completed stays. See details below. | |
Low cancellation rate | |
Airbnb has a low cancellation rate. Our internal data shows that only around 13% of reservations were cancelled by guests in 2025.** | |
Maximize exposure on Airbnb | |
Increased engagement by Airbnb guests can help improve rankings since popular listings tend to rank higher. | |
Benefit from Airbnb host protections | |
Among other protections, Airbnb provides AirCover for hosts to cover damage and requires all guests to complete the identity verification process. |
* According to Airbnb data collected from a pilot conducted between April 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025 with an API software provider based in Italy. Comparison limited to listings that opted in and used the feature for a period of at least 12 days.**Based on Airbnb global reservations data collected between January 1st and December 31st, 2025
How it works
1
Airbnb identifies “opportunity windows” - dates, often corresponding to periods in which similar listings saw high traveler traffic last year.
2
These appear in your API software as “Optimize for Airbnb” Opportunities.*
3
If you opt in, the selected Opportunity dates become exclusive to Airbnb (and your direct websites) during a defined booking window.
4
Dates that aren’t booked by the end of the opportunity window are automatically reopened to your other channels.
5
You can adjust Opportunity dates, choose your own windows, and opt in or out at any time directly in the API software account.
Note
Only certain qualifying stays will be eligible for the 1% rebate. See full details below.
How to opt-in
Consider enabling “Optimize for Airbnb” to help increase nights booked by Airbnb guests. Contact your API software provider to confirm whether this feature is available and how to opt in.
Your questions, answered
These FAQs are prepared for convenience. For full details about this promotion, please review the Optimize for Airbnb Rebate Terms and Conditions below.
During what timeframe is the 1% rebate running?
The 1% rebate is offered for Qualifying Bookings with stay nights from and including July 1, 2026, to and including September 30, 2026. Qualifying Bookings are defined in the Rebate Terms and Conditions.
When do I receive the rebate payment?
Payments will be sent to your account on a monthly basis, by the fifteenth day of the month following the month in which a Qualifying Booking is completed . For example, eligible hosts can expect payment by August 15 of any rebate for a Qualifying Booking completed in July.
Which of my listings are eligible for this program?
To be eligible for the Optimise for Airbnb Rebate:
- your property management software provider must offer the Optimise for Airbnb feature;
- you must be offered, and accept, at least one available Opportunity offered by Airbnb through the Optimise for Airbnb feature (Opportunities enable you to offer nights exclusively to Airbnb guests or guests on your direct booking channels) in the period from July 1, 2026 to September 30, 2026;
- you must be a host who offers short-term stays (28 days or shorter) on Airbnb;
- you must accept and complete a Qualifying Booking, as defined in the Rebate Terms and Conditions; and
- Listings must have a quality rating of 4.6 or higher and be situated in specific locations, selected by Airbnb for demonstrating strong demand.
Which bookings qualify for the rebate?
Bookings must satisfy all of the following:
- Booked during an official Optimize for Airbnb Opportunity which has been accepted by you;
- At least one stay date must be within an Optimize for Airbnb Opportunity window that falls within the period from July 1, 2026 to September 30, 2026 where that Optimise for Airbnb Opportunity has been accepted by you;
- Stays associated with Qualifying Bookings must have a check-in date of June 1, 2026 or later and be completed before or on October 31, 2026; and
- Booking must not be an excluded booking.
What bookings are excluded?
Any of the following bookings are excluded from the Rebate program:
- Bookings cancelled at any time before the scheduled check-in (for the avoidance of doubt, bookings cancelled at any time after check-in will qualify for the Rebate to the extent there is a valid User Payout).
- Bookings altered to dates entirely outside of the Opportunity window by either the guest or the host at any time before or after the scheduled check-in.
- Bookings for an Experience or Service on Airbnb.
- Any booking that does not otherwise meet the Eligibility Criteria or criteria for Qualifying Bookings as set out above.
How do I find out my reward amounts?
Payouts will be shown in your host earnings dashboard as an aggregated monthly payment with a custom note “payment for Optimise for Airbnb Rebate”.
Not interested in the Rebate, here’s how to opt-out
If you want to accept Opportunity windows through the Optimize for Airbnb feature but you do not want to receive a rebate for any reason, you can opt-out of this promotion. Please email OptimizeforAirbnb@airbnb.com to request removal from the rebate program. Your opt-out request will be processed within three business days.
Optimize for Airbnb Rebate Terms and conditions
Last updated: 11 May 2026
1. Definitions
The following definitions used in these Terms and Conditions:
- “Eligibility Criteria” means the eligibility criteria for participation in the Rebate, as set out in section 2 below.
- “Optimise for Airbnb” means the feature offered by your API-connected property management software provider, which allows you to offer availability of your listings exclusively to Airbnb guests in limited time periods.
- “Opportunity” means a time period that is eligible for Optimise for Airbnb, as notified to you in the Optimise for Airbnb feature by your property management software provider; if you accept an Opportunity or select custom opportunity dates, your listings will be available exclusively to Airbnb guests (except for direct bookings via your own website or platform) during the relevant time period.
- “Qualifying Booking” has the definition given in section 3 below.
- “User Payout” means your nightly rate plus your optional extra charges (a cleaning fee or extra guest fee, etc.). User Payout is calculated after guest check-out and is net of any alterations and cancellations. User Payout does not include tax.
2. Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Optimise for Airbnb Rebate:
- your property management software provider must offer the Optimise for Airbnb feature;
- you must be offered by Airbnb, and accept, at least one available Opportunity through the Optimise for Airbnb feature to offer nights exclusively to Airbnb guests in the period from July 1, 2026 to September 30, 2026;
- you must host short-term stays (28 days or shorter);
- you must accept and complete a Qualifying Booking, as defined in section 3 below; and
- hosts must have a quality rating of 4.6 or higher and be situated in specific locations, selected by Airbnb for demonstrating strong demand.
3. Qualifying Bookings
All of the following criteria must be met in order for a booking to constitute a Qualifying Booking and qualify for a Rebate:
- The booking must be made during an Optimise for Airbnb Opportunity that has been accepted by you.
- At least one stay date must be within an Optimise for Airbnb Opportunity window that falls within the period from July 1, 2026 to September 30, 2026 where that Optimise for Airbnb Opportunity has been accepted by you.
- Stays associated with Qualifying Bookings must be checked into no later than June 1, 2026 and be completed by no later than October 31, 2026.
- The booking must not be an Excluded Booking, as defined in section 4 below.
4. Excluded Bookings
The following are Excluded Bookings and will not count toward the Rebate:
- Bookings cancelled at any time before the scheduled check-in (for the avoidance of doubt, bookings cancelled at any time after check-in will qualify for the Rebate to the extent there is a valid User Payout).
- Bookings altered to dates entirely outside of the Opportunity window by either the guest or the host at any time before or after the scheduled check-in.
- Bookings for an Experience or Service on Airbnb.
- Any booking that does not otherwise meet the Eligibility Criteria or criteria for Qualifying Bookings as set out above.
5. Enrollment and Opt-outs
- You will automatically be eligible for the Rebate if you meet the eligibility criteria set out above.
- Participation in the Rebate is however voluntary and you are under no obligation to participate and receive payment. If you would like to accept Optimise for Airbnb Opportunities but not be included in the Rebate, then you may opt out by emailing OptimizeforAirbnb@airbnb.com to request removal from the Rebate. Your opt-out request will be processed within three (3) business days.
6. Calculation and Payment of Rebate
Your Rebate is calculated as 1% of User Payout for each Qualifying Booking. Payments will be sent to your account on a monthly basis to your default payout method, by the fifteenth day of the month following the month in which the stay associated with a Qualifying Booking is completed. Airbnb's records are the definitive reference for calculating the Rebate.
7. Tax
The cash reward paid under this Rebate may constitute taxable income under applicable law. Airbnb does not provide tax advice. We recommend that you consult a qualified tax advisor if you are uncertain about your tax position.
8. Termination
Airbnb may terminate your participation in the Rebate or the Rebate programme at any time, for any reason or no reason. The rights and obligations of the parties under these Terms and Conditions will survive the expiration or termination of these Terms and Conditions.
9. Severability
If any provision in these Terms and Conditions is held to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, such provision (or the part of it that is making it invalid, void or unenforceable) will be struck and not affect the validity of and enforceability of the remaining provisions, to the extent permissible under applicable law.
10. Additional Terms and Conditions
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE AIRBNB TERMS OF SERVICE, PAYMENTS TERMS OF SERVICE, AND PRIVACY POLICY APPLY TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS REBATE. Airbnb’s records will be the sole and binding record of the Qualifying Bookings hosted and the amount of any Rebate due to hosts as part of this Optimise for Airbnb Rebate. Your participation in this Optimise for Airbnb Rebate does not, under any circumstances, create an employment, agency, partnership, or other service relationship between you and Airbnb. Airbnb reserves the right to withhold payment in cases of suspected fraud, misuse, violation of these terms or Airbnb’s Terms of Service, technical errors, or deactivation of the host’s account. Offers are non-transferable and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time and without notice.