The Updated Guide To Airbnb Referral Promo Codes [2023]

Airbnb
Written By Taz Zaidi

Airbnb Promo Codes

*Update: As of April 2021, Airbnb's referral program was discontinued. This guide is now updated accordingly. It now covers how first-time booking promo codes worked, whether I think they'll return, and answers to common questions regarding discount codes on Airbnb. To learn about Airbnb gift cards, click here.

Airbnb’s referral program provided new users a discount on their first booking.

The process was simple - an existing Airbnb user would receive credit when a new user used their unique referral link to make a first booking. That new user would receive a discount up to $65 by using a unique referral code.

In this guide, I’ll explain how Airbnb's promo codes worked.

We’ll cover what promo codes were, why they no longer work, whether I think Airbnb will resume sign-up bonuses in the future, whether existing customers can use promo codes, and other potential discounts that users often ask about. While reading this guide, keep in mind that terms like “promo code”, “coupon code”, “discount code” and “voucher” are often used interchangeably on Airbnb and on this page.

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*Agoda.com provides a wide selection of steeply-discounted hotel rooms. To see today’s deals on hotels in any destination, click here.

What Were Airbnb Promo Codes?

Airbnb offered a discount (up to $65) to new users making their first booking on the site.

Referral coupons were applicable towards stays and experiences. After a new user created their Airbnb account, they’d receive a unique referral code which they could share with friends or family. This initiative rewarded Airbnb with many new customers and resulted in lower refund rates. To read the referral program’s terms and conditions, click here.

*Vrbo.com is the best alternative to Airbnb for apartment and house rentals. For today’s deals, click here.

Promo Codes No Longer Work

Airbnb discontinued its referral program in 2021.

Earned referral credits may still be applied towards future bookings, but all Airbnb referral links are now void. If you attempt to apply one to a booking, you’ll see an error notification. First-time Airbnb users must now book their first stay at full price. If you’re brand new to Airbnb, use our Airbnb Booking Guide.

How To Get An Airbnb Referral Promo Code

*This section has been updated - codes are no longer valid.

Airbnb’s referral program vouchers were redeemable globally (US, UK, Europe, Australia, etc.). Coupon code discounts were applicable via the site or app. For the referral program terms and conditions, click here.

Where To Enter Your Airbnb Referral Promo Code

*This section has been updated - codes are no longer valid.

First-time users could apply their discount code on the checkout page of their first booking (under the payment method section). The discount amount ($65 maximum) depended on the booking total, among a few other factors.

*To see today’s deals on hotels in any destination, click here.

Will Airbnb Resume Sign-Up Bonuses?

It’s uncertain whether Airbnb will resume or replace its sign-up offer program. Referral programs can be a great way for businesses to acquire new customers, but they aren’t always profitable long-term.

For years, Airbnb was “biting the bullet” on both ends (paying referrers, taking losses on new users) in order to gain new customers. But now that it has become a major player in the travel industry (has reached mass adoption and is publicly traded), Airbnb’s executives may no longer feel sign up offers are the best strategy for the company’s growth at this stage of the business.

Does Airbnb Give Discount Code Coupons To Existing Users?

As someone who’s booked over 100 stays on Airbnb, the only time Airbnb has gifted me a discount or promo code (via the app, website or email) has been when a host cancelled a booking last minute. In such cases, Airbnb issued me a $25 coupon applicable towards a future booking on the site. Apart from this, it doesn’t seem Airbnb offers coupons to existing users (from my research and from talking to other guests).

*To see today’s deals on hotels in any destination, click here.

Can Guests Ask For Discounts?

As a guest, you can ask potential hosts for a discount (prior to booking), but do not expect to receive one. Airbnb hosts set their own nightly rates and many have already experimented with their pricing.

However, one way to get percentage discounts on an Airbnb booking is to book a weekly or monthly stay. To learn more about short-term and long-term stays on Airbnb, click here.

*Vrbo.com is the best alternative to Airbnb for apartment and house rentals. For today’s deals, click here.

Other Potential Airbnb Discounts

Banks And Credit Cards

Based on popular Google searches, it seems that some financial institutions offer Airbnb discounts to their customers. Popular search results include: AAA, Citibank, AARP, American Express, PNC and HDFC. If you’re a client of one of these companies, you can inquire with them regarding their program (if it exists) and whether or not you qualify. I don’t have any personal experience with this.

Military Discount

From my research, it does not appear that Airbnb provides discount codes specifically for active military members or veterans. You may be able to find Airbnb hosts that offer discounts to other military members through your network, or try searching “Airbnb with military discount in (destination)” on Google.

Student Discount

As with military discounts, Airbnb does not offer discount codes specifically for students. You may be able to find Airbnb hosts that offer student discounts though your network, or try searching “Airbnb with student discount in (destination)” on Google.

First Responders/Healthcare Workers

Airbnb does not offer discount codes specifically to first responders/healthcare workers. You may be able to find Airbnb hosts that offer such a discount though your network, or you can try searching “Airbnb with first responder/healthcare worker discount in (destination)” on Google.

Coupon Websites

On Google, you’ll come across websites claiming to offer Airbnb promotional codes (such as 10% or 40% off). These third-party marketplaces are not affiliated with Airbnb (even “reputable sites” like Groupon and RetailMeNot), so proceed at your own risk. Some sites claim to offer discount codes “only valid today”, but Airbnb has never stated that it offers daily codes.

Gift Cards

For a complete guide to Airbnb gift cards (including how to buy and apply them), click here.

*To see today’s deals on hotels in any destination, click here.

How To Apply Travel Credit To A Booking

Whether Airbnb issued you travel credit for a past referral or as compensation for a booking issue, you can redeem/apply that credit to a future stay or experience. Any booking credit I’ve received had to be applied within 30 days of issuance. For instructions on how to apply travel credit to a booking, click here. To read Airbnb’s Travel Credit Terms and Conditions, click here.

*For the 5 things you should bring to an Airbnb stay, click here.

Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

The closure of Airbnb’s referral program means there’s less incentive for new users to try out Airbnb, and less incentive for existing users to refer their friends. For a complete guide to booking an Airbnb, click here. For a vacation rental site similar to Airbnb, also check out Vrbo.com. To learn more about Airbnb, explore our other guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

Learn More About Airbnb

Introduction To Airbnb

Understand Your Options

Get Started With Airbnb

Know Before You Go

Specific Types Of Bookings

Cancellations, Refunds And Changes

Airbnb’s Other Listing Categories

Airbnb’s Other Features

Help With Your Account

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Taz Zaidi [Author]
Taz Zaidi [Author]

Taz Zaidi is an American travel writer and the founder/creator of TRVLGUIDES.com. Connect with him on Instagram (@tazzaidi) or on his personal website, at tazzaidi.com.

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