Life on the road is full of surprises, and we know that sometimes plans need to change. Whether you're adjusting your trip dates, canceling an upcoming reservation, or have questions about a refund you've been issued, we’re here to help.
This guide covers everything you need to know about our refund policies, timelines, and how to manage your booking adjustments with confidence so you can get back to planning your next great adventure.
What are my refund options if I want to cancel my booking?
When you cancel your booking, you get to choose how you would like to receive your refund! To get started, simply navigate to your Booking details page, click the Cancel trip link, and select your reason for canceling.
From there, you will be asked to choose between two ways to receive your funds:
Travel Credit: This is the best option if you are eager to book another adventure right away, as the credit becomes available to use immediately!
Original Payment Method: Choose this if you prefer to have the money sent back to the credit/debit card or PayPal account you used to book. Please note that this option typically takes 5 to 10 business days to reflect on your statement.
I need to cancel my reservation. How do I know the amount I will be refunded?
Finding out your exact refund amount is easy and completely transparent! You will always be able to see exactly what you are getting back before you finalize the cancellation.
Here is how to check:
Go to your Booking details page and click the Cancel trip link.
Select your reason for canceling.
Choose how you would like to receive your refund.
Right there on that screen, the system will calculate and display the exact refund amount you are set to receive.
Please keep in mind: Your total refund amount is determined by the specific cancellation policy your Host selected for their RV.
To learn more about how these policies are calculated, check out the Outdoorsy Cancellation Policy article.
Can I get refunded for adjusted booking items?
Yes, you can absolutely be refunded for adjusted booking items, provided the necessary approvals are in place. The process depends entirely on where you are in your trip:
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If you are pre-departure: You can request to shorten your trip dates or remove add-ons directly via your Booking details page.
Condition for refund: Once your Host approves your request, you will be refunded the difference immediately via your original payment method.
Protection Package: If you are shortening your trip, you will also be automatically refunded for the portion of the Protection Package associated with the dates you removed.
If you have already departed: Refunds are still possible for the daily protection package charges not used in an early return situation. Any other refunds after departure require Host approval. Since self-service adjustments are only available before your trip begins, please contact your Host directly to discuss the situation. If they approve the refund, they will contact our Customer Support team to initiate it on your behalf.
I was issued a refund. How long does it take to get my money back?
The timeline for receiving your funds depends entirely on how you chose to receive your refund:
Travel Credit: If you opted to receive your refund as travel credit, the funds are available immediately! You can use them right away to book your next adventure.
Original Payment Method: Once your refund has been officially processed on our end, you can generally expect the funds to reflect on your statement within 5 to 10 business days.
Because every financial institution processes incoming funds at a different speed, the exact timing for payment method refunds is up to your bank. If you chose to have the money sent back to your original payment method and don't see the funds in your account after 10 business days, the best next step is to contact your bank's customer support team, as they may have the most up-to-date information on your incoming transaction.
Can you speed up my refund?
Once we issue the refund, the timeline is entirely in the hands of your bank or credit card issuer. We unfortunately cannot speed up their internal processing times.
How do I request a refund?
How your refund is processed depends on whether you are canceling an upcoming trip or requesting a refund during or after your adventure:
Canceling an upcoming trip: You don't need to submit a special request! When you cancel your booking, the Outdoorsy Cancellation Policy automatically takes effect and processes your eligible refund amount right away.
During or after your trip: Refund requests for ongoing or completed bookings (for Host-specific items) depend entirely on your Host's discretion. We recommend reaching out to your Host directly to discuss your request. If they approve it, they will contact our Customer Support team on your behalf to initiate the refund!
Keeping an open, friendly line of communication with your Host is always the best way to ensure a smooth process throughout the trip.
What if the card I used to book is now closed or expired?
Don't worry! Your refund will still be processed successfully. For security reasons, we are required to send refunds back to your original payment method, even if the card has been canceled, expired, or the account is closed.
Here is what typically happens to your funds:
If you have a new account or card with the same bank: Your bank will generally automatically reroute the funds to your new, active account.
If you no longer bank with that institution: The bank will usually locate your profile in their system and issue the funds through an alternative method, such as mailing a paper check.
Processing time: Because the bank has to take extra steps to reroute the money, this process can take a few extra days or weeks compared to our standard 5 to 10 business day refund timeframe.
What you should do next: Since the funds are safely in your bank's hands, we recommend contacting them directly to find out exactly how and when they will deliver your money. To help your bank track the transaction quickly, you can reach out to our Customer Support team to request your Acquirer Reference Number (ARN) to provide to the bank representative.
I made my booking payments using two different payment methods. How will my refund be processed?
If you split your booking cost across multiple payment methods, your refund will be split in the exact same way.
For security reasons, refunds can only ever be processed back to the original payment method used. This means the refunded amount will be proportionally divided and sent back to each card or account based on how much was originally charged to them.
When to expect your funds: Once the refund is processed on our end, please allow 5 to 10 business days for the funds to reflect on your respective bank or card statements.
Are service fees and taxes refundable?
While our service fees and their associated taxes are non-refundable, the good news is that the taxes on all other refund-eligible items are 100% refundable. When you need to cancel a booking, your specific Cancellation Policy will automatically include the taxes for any booking items you are entitled to get back.
A quick note for the road: If your trip is already underway or completed, any refunds from your Host are entirely at their discretion. These refunds will not account for any related service fees or taxes, since the booking has already started.
For more information on how refunds work when need to cancel a booking, please check out the Outdoorsy Cancellation Policy article.