What the Airbnb Credit Card actually does
The Airbnb Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Chase that gives you points back on Airbnb bookings and other travel purchases. You earn 3 points per dollar on Airbnb stays and experiences, 2 points per dollar on flights, hotels, rental cars, and transit, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Those points convert to Airbnb credit at a rate of roughly 1 cent per point, though the exact value depends on how you redeem them.
The card costs $0 annually, which means there is no fee to carry it. It comes with a welcome offer — typically 5,000 bonus points after you spend a certain amount in the first few months — but the real value sits in the ongoing rewards on travel spending. The card is designed for people who book Airbnb stays regularly and also travel by other means, not for occasional users or people who never leave home.
Like any rewards card, the Airbnb card is a tool to redirect spending you would do anyway into points. It does not create value by itself; it only works if you already plan to spend money on travel.
Key Takeaways
- The Airbnb Credit Card earns 3 points per dollar on Airbnb bookings and 2 points per dollar on flights, hotels, rental cars, and transit, with no annual fee.
- Points are worth roughly 1 cent each when redeemed as Airbnb credit, so a $300 Airbnb stay earning 900 points is worth about $9 back.
- The card makes financial sense only if you book Airbnb stays multiple times per year and would carry a rewards card anyway.
- You need good credit (typically 670 or higher) to be approved, and the card reports to all three credit bureaus like any other credit card.
- Airbnb points do not expire as long as your account stays active, but they live in your Airbnb account, not on the card itself.
How the rewards actually add up
The math on this card depends entirely on how much you spend on Airbnb. A person who books one $200 stay per year earns 600 points, worth about $6 in Airbnb credit. That is not enough to justify carrying the card over a flat-cash rewards card. A person who books four $200 stays per year earns 2,400 points, worth about $24 — still modest, but now the card begins to make sense.
The secondary rewards matter less. Two points per dollar on flights and hotels sounds good until you realize most people book these a few times per year, not monthly. If you fly twice and stay in a hotel twice annually, you might earn 800 points from those categories combined. The 1 point per dollar on everything else is so low that it barely moves the needle.
The welcome bonus — typically 5,000 points after $500 or $1,000 in spending — is worth $50 to $100 in Airbnb credit, but only if you hit the spending threshold anyway. Do not spend money you would not otherwise spend just to reach it.
Who should and should not get this card
This card makes sense for someone who books Airbnb stays at least three or four times per year and already carries a rewards credit card. You are not gaining much by switching from a 2% flat-cash card to a card that earns 3% on one category unless Airbnb is a significant part of your travel budget. If you book hotels more often than Airbnb, a hotel-branded card or a general travel card will serve you better.
The card does not make sense if you rarely travel, if you book Airbnb only once every two years, or if you prefer to pay in cash. It also does not make sense if you carry a balance month to month — the interest you pay will erase any rewards value. Credit card rewards only work if you pay the full statement balance every month.
One more consideration: Airbnb points are locked into the Airbnb ecosystem. You cannot transfer them to airline miles or use them anywhere else. If you value flexibility in how you redeem rewards, a general travel card gives you more options.
The approval process and credit requirements
Chase typically approves the Airbnb Credit Card for people with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at that score. The exact threshold varies based on your credit history, income, and existing Chase accounts. You can check your credit score for free through your bank, Credit Karma, or AnnualCreditReport.com before you explore.
The process itself takes about 10 minutes online. Chase will do a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. If you are approved, the card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, you can reapply after 30 days, but only if you have addressed the reason for the denial — usually a score that is too low or too many recent credit applications.
Once you have the card, link it to your Airbnb account in the payment settings. Points post automatically after each booking, and you can see your balance in your Airbnb account under "Credits and payments."
How points work and when they expire
Airbnb points live in your Airbnb account, not on the card itself. You earn them through the card, but you redeem them through Airbnb's website or app. One point is worth roughly 1 cent when you use it to pay for a stay, though the exact value fluctuates slightly depending on the booking.
Points do not expire as long as your Airbnb account remains active. If you stop using Airbnb for a year and your account goes dormant, Airbnb may close it and forfeit the points. But if you log in at least once per year, your points stay there indefinitely. This is different from airline miles, which often expire after 12 to 24 months of inactivity.
You can use points to cover part or all of a booking. If a stay costs $500 and you have 3,000 points (worth about $30), you can explore the points and pay $470 with cash or another card. You cannot transfer points to another person or convert them to cash.
Comparing this card to other travel rewards options
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, with no annual fee for the first year and $95 after that. It is more flexible because points transfer to airline and hotel partners, and it covers travel insurance. If you split your spending between Airbnb and hotels, Sapphire Preferred might be better.
The Capital One Venture X earns 5 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked through their portal, with a $395 annual fee. It is designed for frequent business travelers and includes travel credits that offset the fee. Unless you travel constantly, the fee makes it expensive.
A flat-cash card like the Citi Double Cash earns 2% back on everything with no annual fee and no category restrictions. If you book Airbnb only occasionally and want simplicity, this beats the Airbnb card because you earn the same 2% whether you book Airbnb or a hotel.
The table below shows how these cards compare on Airbnb spending specifically:
| Card | Airbnb Rewards | Annual Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbnb Credit Card | 3% back | $0 | Frequent Airbnb bookers |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 2% back (transfers) | $95 | Flexible travel rewards |
| Citi Double Cash | 2% back | $0 | Occasional travelers |
| Capital One Venture X | 5% back (portal only) | $395 | Heavy business travelers |
What happens if you close the card or stop using Airbnb
If you close the Airbnb Credit Card, your points do not disappear. They stay in your Airbnb account as long as your account remains active. You can still redeem them for future stays even if you no longer carry the card. This is important: closing the card does not forfeit the rewards you have already earned.
However, closing any credit card can lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your total available credit and may increase your credit utilization ratio on other cards. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage or loan soon, wait until after approval to close the card.
If you stop using Airbnb entirely and your account goes inactive for over a year, Airbnb may close it and forfeit any points. But this is rare — most people who book Airbnb once will book again eventually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the card for every Airbnb booking?
No. You can use any payment method for Airbnb bookings and still earn points if you link the card to your account. However, you only earn points if the card is your payment method at checkout. If you pay with PayPal or another card, you earn nothing.
Can I use Airbnb points to pay for experiences or other services?
Yes. Airbnb points work for stays, experiences, and restaurant reservations through Airbnb's platform. They do not work for Airbnb gift cards or for anything outside the Airbnb ecosystem.
What if I have a dispute with an Airbnb host and get a refund?
If Airbnb refunds your booking, the points you earned are reversed. You lose the points and they do not return to your account. This is why it matters to book only with hosts who have strong reviews.
Can I transfer my Airbnb points to someone else?
No. Points are tied to your Airbnb account and cannot be transferred, gifted, or sold. They can only be used by the account holder.
What credit score do I need to be approved?
Chase typically approves applicants with a score of 670 or higher, but approval depends on your full credit profile, not just the score. A score of 700+ significantly improves your chances. You can check your score for free before explore.