When you've invested time and effort in making your rental perfect for guests, it can be deflating to receive a cancellation. Fortunately, Airbnb has a policy in place to help hosts manage such situations. This policy provides hosts with a standardized system to handle guest cancellations.
Airbnb offers various cancellation policies to help protect your profits. Each one offers different levels of protection, so you can select the one that best fits your needs. Take a look at our article below to determine which policy is right for your listing.
Flexible
If a guest decides to back out of their reservation with less than a day's notice before their check-in, they will not be eligible for a reimbursement of their initial night's payment. Nonetheless, they can get their money back for all the other nights they had booked with Airbnb through the Flexible cancellation policy. If they have already checked in, they can get a refund for the following nights.
Moderate
Under this rule, if a guest reserves a room and then decides to cancel at least five days prior to the check-in date, they will receive a full refund. If the cancellation is made within five days of the check-in date, they will only be refunded for the first night and will receive a 50 percent refund for the remaining days booked. If guests choose to cancel after check-in, they will still be given a 50 percent refund for the nights they have not stayed.
Strict
This policy means that if guests need to cancel their booking, they must do so at least 14 days before their check-in date to receive a full refund. If they cancel within the last 7 days before they are due to check in, they will not receive a refund. If they cancel within 7-14 days before their check-in date, they will receive a 50 percent refund.
Long Term
To receive a refund, guests must give the host advance notice 30 days before their check-in date for any long-term bookings (28 days or more). The host will still be paid for the first month if the guest cancels after this deadline. If the guest initially states the length of their stay but then changes their mind and leaves, the host is entitled to a payment for 30 days.
Grace Period
A guest may book a reservation with Airbnb and then has 48 hours to cancel it and receive a full refund. After 48 hours, the standard Airbnb Strict cancellation policy will take effect.
Selecting the Ideal Policy for You
The Flexible Airbnb cancellation policy is a great choice for hosts who don't want to have firm rules in place when it comes to canceling a reservation. This policy is perfect for new hosts and those looking to increase bookings.
However, if you are a more experienced host, you may want to look into other Airbnb cancellation policies, such as Moderate or Strict policies. These policies can help to deter guests who may be more prone to canceling and encourage them to think twice before canceling.
Airbnb cancellations can be inconvenient and frustrating for hosts. It means lost time and lost revenue if you end up with an unbooked rental. Fortunately, cancellations are uncommon, so selecting the right policy can help give you peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Airbnb’s cancellation policy is designed to give customers flexibility and a sense of security when booking accommodations. The policy allows customers to choose different cancellation policies depending on their specific needs.
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