Airbnb's war policy leaves some stranded travelers without refunds

Travelers impacted by the Middle East conflict struggle to get full refunds from Airbnb despite the company's 'Major Disruptive Events' policy.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The ongoing military conflict in the Middle East has disrupted travel in the region, forcing some travelers to cancel their trips. However, Airbnb's 'Major Disruptive Events' policy, which covers events like military actions and closed airspaces, does not always provide full refunds to impacted travelers, leaving some stranded and out hundreds of dollars.

Why it matters

Airbnb's refund policy during major disruptive events like wars and conflicts has come under scrutiny, as some travelers are finding it difficult to get full refunds despite being unable to complete their trips due to factors outside their control. This raises questions about consumer protections and the responsibilities of travel platforms during times of crisis.

The details

Maria Wainer had to cancel her trip from Israel to Boston after Israel's airspace was closed due to the conflict in the Middle East. She contacted her Airbnb host and the company to request a refund under the 'Major Disruptive Events' policy, but was initially only offered a partial refund. Airbnb's policy states that guests can cancel and receive a refund, but does not specify that it must be a full refund. Other travelers in the region have also reported struggling to secure full refunds from Airbnb despite the policy.

  • On February 28, Israel's airspace was closed after it and the US launched a joint attack on Iran, sparking retaliatory strikes across the region.
  • On March 8, Maria Wainer contacted Airbnb to cancel her reservation and request a refund.

The players

Maria Wainer

A traveler who had to cancel her trip from Israel to Boston due to the Middle East conflict.

Airbnb

The vacation rental platform that denied Maria Wainer a full refund under its 'Major Disruptive Events' policy.

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What they’re saying

“It tears me apart to know you are constantly threatened by the ongoing geopolitical conflict in your location right now. And I feel so bad that I still cannot help you with your full-refund request at the moment.”

— Airbnb agent (Business Insider)

“For now, the only option there is for this reservation is a cancellation outside the policy.”

— Airbnb agent (Business Insider)

“I said, 'Well, it doesn't say 'partial refund' either. If you don't put in that adjective, you assume it's full,”

— Maria Wainer, Traveler (Business Insider)

What’s next

Airbnb eventually gave Maria Wainer a full refund after Business Insider contacted the company for comment. The company's refund policy during major disruptive events like wars and conflicts may face further scrutiny as more travelers encounter issues securing full refunds.

The takeaway

Airbnb's 'Major Disruptive Events' policy is intended to provide relief to travelers impacted by crises, but the company's interpretation of the policy has left some stranded travelers without full refunds. This highlights the need for clearer and more consumer-friendly policies from travel platforms during times of upheaval.