Airbnb Referral Program — Earn ~$200 cash per host
Earn a cash reward (around $200 in the US, the exact amount varies by listing location and type) when someone you refer signs up as a new Airbnb host and completes their first qualifying reservation. The US guest referral program that paid travel credits is no longer available.
One-Time
25 hosts per type
varies by location
What Your Friend Gets
The new host you refer can earn a cash reward of their own (around $100 in recent US promotions) after listing their space and completing their first qualifying reservation.
Requirement: Must be a brand-new Airbnb host who signs up via your referral link, publishes an eligible listing, and completes a first qualifying reservation. Exact reward amounts and qualifying windows are set on the referral dashboard and change with each promotion.
How to Refer
- 1Visit airbnb.com/refer or open the Airbnb app, find the 'Refer a host' option, and share your unique host referral link with anyone who has a spare room, property, or experience to list.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Pays real cash, not just travel credit
- High per-referral value (around $200 in recent US promotions)
- New host also earns a reward — easier to pitch
- Generous cap of 25 referred hosts per listing type
Cons
- Guest referral program is no longer available in the US
- Reward amounts vary by location and listing type — no fixed figure
- Referred host must complete a full reservation, which can take time
- Smaller pool of people who can become hosts vs. travelers
Airbnb Host Referral Program: Earn Cash for Referring New Hosts
Airbnb's referrer-facing earning opportunity in the United States is the host referral program. When someone you refer signs up as a new Airbnb host through your link and completes their first qualifying reservation, you earn a cash reward — recent US promotions have paid around $200, though the exact amount depends on the new host's listing location and type.
Important: The US Guest Referral Program Is No Longer Available
Airbnb used to offer a guest referral program that paid travel credits when a friend booked their first stay. As of 2026, that program is not available in the United States — Airbnb limits it to a handful of countries (Brazil, mainland China, India, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and South Korea). If you live in the US, the host referral program is the only way to earn directly from Airbnb referrals.
How Airbnb Host Referrals Work
- Get your host referral link at airbnb.com/refer
- Share it with someone who has a spare room, property, or experience to list
- They sign up as a new host through your link and publish an eligible listing
- Once they complete their first qualifying reservation, your cash reward is paid to your payout method
What You Earn
Reward amounts are set per promotion and vary by the referred host's listing location and type — there isn't a single fixed figure. Recent US promotions have paid roughly $200 to the referrer and around $100 to the new host. Always check the amount shown on your referral dashboard before you share, since terms and qualifying windows change frequently.
Referral Cap
You can earn rewards for up to 25 referred home hosts, 25 referred experience hosts, and 25 referred service hosts. That's a high ceiling, but it's not unlimited.
Referral Tips for Host Referrals
- Target people who already own rental property, a vacation home, or a spare unit
- Reach out to friends considering listing a room for extra income
- Explain that the new host also earns a reward, not just you
- Confirm current reward amounts and deadlines on your dashboard before sharing
Heads up: Referral program terms may change. Verify current offers and amounts on airbnb.com/refer before promoting.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I still earn Airbnb travel credit for referring guests in the US?
- No. As of 2026 the Airbnb guest referral program is not available in the United States — it runs only in a limited set of countries. In the US, the host referral program is the way to earn from Airbnb referrals.
- How much does Airbnb pay for a host referral?
- Reward amounts vary by the referred host's listing location and type, so there's no single fixed number. Recent US promotions have paid around $200 to the referrer and about $100 to the new host. Check your referral dashboard at airbnb.com/refer for the current amount.
- How many hosts can I refer to Airbnb?
- You can earn rewards for up to 25 referred home hosts, 25 referred experience hosts, and 25 referred service hosts under the host referral program.
- When do I get paid for an Airbnb host referral?
- Your reward is paid to your payout method after the new host you referred publishes an eligible listing and completes their first qualifying reservation. Payout timing is set per promotion (recent terms paid within about 30 days of the listing qualifying).
Compare Airbnb
See how Airbnb's referral program stacks up against the competition.
Last verified: