A Host's Guide to the Airbnb Cancellation Policy

Not sure which Airbnb cancellation policy is right for your vacation rental? Compare every policy, understand guest refunds and host payouts, and choose the best option for your business.

Key Takeaways

• Airbnb offers several cancellation policies for hosts to choose from, ranging from very flexible to super strict. 
• Airbnb updated its cancellation policies to include a universal 24-hour free cancellation window to all standard cancellation policies for shorter stays. 
• All bookings lasting 28 nights or more fall under the platform’s long-term cancellation policies (firm or strict).
• With the non-refundable option, an Airbnb guest receives a discounted rate but then they’ll lose the entire accommodation fee should they cancel the booking reservation.

In 2025, Airbnb introduced updates to its cancellation policies, making it important for hosts to ensure they’re up to date with the most recent Airbnb cancellation policy terms. In addition to changing the terms of existing policies, the platform also launched new options to help hosts protect their vacation rental business from cancellation losses. 

Here’s a look at how cancellations will impact your future payouts and which options will be best for your property and market.

What Is the Airbnb Cancellation Policy?

Simply put, an Airbnb cancellation policy is a system overseeing booking cancellations for guests and hosts. Airbnb offers several different types of cancellation policies that vary depending on terms and payout. 

All Airbnb hosts can currently choose from the following cancellation options:

• Flexible
• Moderate
• Limited
• Firm

In addition to these cancellation policies, certain hosts can also qualify for the following invite-only options:

• Strict
• Super strict (30 days)
• Super strict (60 days)
• Super strict (60 days)

The Standard Airbnb Cancellation Policies Explained

Here’s an overview of the standard Airbnb cancellation options that apply to all bookings of 27 consecutive nights or shorter:

Flexible Cancellation Policy

The Airbnb Flexible cancellation policy is the most lenient option for guests. Under this policy, guests are eligible to receive a full refund when canceling a reservation at least 24 hours before check-in (local time of the property). If the guest cancels a reservation less than 24 hours before check-in, they will still need to pay for each night they stay, and one additional night.

Moderate Cancellation Policy

The Moderate cancellation policy is the most popular option. It’s a bit stricter than the Flexible policy but still gives guests a certain level of flexibility and an opportunity to receive a full refund. 

Under this policy, the guest must cancel a reservation at least five days before the check-in date to receive a full refund. If the guest cancels within five days of the booking start date, they’ll receive a refund of pro-rated taxes and you’ll be paid for each night they stay, plus one extra night, and 50% for all unspent nights.

Limited

Introduced in 2025 as part of Airbnb’s series of updates to its cancellation policies, the Limited policy lets guests cancel till 14 days before check-in and still receive a full refund (including taxes). If they cancel between seven and 14 days, the refund amount is reduced to 50%, while cancellations less than a week before check-in means they’ll receive only a refund of pro-rated taxes.

Firm

Under the Firm cancellation policy, guests must cancel at least 30 days before check-in to receive a full refund. This policy then allows a 50% refund if your guests cancel between seven and 30 days before check-in.

If a guest cancels less than seven days before check-in, hosts will still be paid 100% for all nights booked. This is a great halfway mark between strict and flexible cancellation policies.

Invite-Only Cancellation Policies

Certain hosts can also qualify for the following three cancellation policies:

Strict Cancellation Policy

In October 2025, Airbnb phased out the Strict policy for new listings. Now, it’s only available to certain hosts and if they were invited by the platform. 

If you’re eligible for the Airbnb Strict cancellation policy, you’ll be paid in full for all nights should guests cancel less than seven days before check-in while guests will still be refunded their pro-rated taxes. However, if they cancel seven or more days before check-in but after the 24-hour cancellation period, they’ll be refunded half their stay and you’ll be paid the other 50%.

Super Strict 30 Days

This option is only available to seasoned hosts by invitation only. Under the Super Strict 30 Days cancellation policy, a 50% refund may be issued to the guests if they cancel a reservation at least 30 days before check-in but after the 24-hour cancellation policy. 

If the guest decides to cancel when there are fewer than 30 days left until check-in, they forfeit the accommodation fees. You’ll be paid in full for all the nights while they only receive a pro-rated tax refund.

Super Strict 60 Days

This cancellation policy works the same as the Super Strict 30 Days. The only difference is that the notice period to qualify for a 50% refund is 60 days, not 30.

The Discount Non-Refundable Option

Hosts who want to use one of the standard cancellation policies for short-term stays can also select a non-refundable option. This option is only available for reservations with checkout dates within 60 days and doesn’t apply to bookings made through pre-approvals or special offers.

With this option, guests can choose between your standard rate, which follows your cancellation policy, or the discounted non-refundable rate. If a guest selects the non-refundable option and cancels, you’ll still receive the full payout for the booked nights. Put simply, guests essentially waive the ability to claim a refund should they cancel in return for a discounted rate. 

You get to set the discount which will appear in the search results. That said, it’s typically 10% off the base price (except in China). 

The timing for booking a non-refundable rate depends on your cancellation policy:

• Flexible: Guests can book up until one day before check-in.
• Moderate: Booking is allowed up to five days before check-in.
• Limited, Firm or Strict: Guests can book up to 14 days before check-in.

How Does Airbnb Cancellation Work for Monthly Stays?

Airbnb hosts can choose between a firm or strict policy for long-term rentals (stays of 28 consecutive nights or longer). With both these long-term cancellation policies, guests can qualify for a full refund (including taxes) if they cancel within the right time period. In the case of the firm policy, the period is at least 30 days before check-in, while with the strict policy cancellation must be done within 48 hours of booking and at least 28 days before the check-in date.

Which Airbnb Cancellation Policy Should I Choose for My Listing?

For the majority of hosts, the Flexible cancellation policy is recommended. This policy is the one that considers guests’ needs the most. Selecting this policy shows that you are willing to be accommodating and offer free cancellation. Guests will appreciate this and will be more likely to book with you, increasing your booking rate.

The Flexible policy is also best for hosts in high-demand urban areas or those who rely on frequent, short-stay bookings and want to attract last-minute travelers. As these markets rebook quickly, there’s a lower risk that a cancellation will leave you with an empty calendar. 

If you have achieved Superhost status or have many bookings and reviews under your belt, the Moderate cancellation policy option might be a good option too. This policy gives a higher chance of you only attracting serious guests who are very unlikely to cancel last minute.

Even if you’re eligible to set a strict policy, experienced hosts do not recommend using it. Guests usually look for more flexibility as travel plans might change. Under the Strict cancellation policy, guests won’t get a full refund no matter how long in advance they notify you of the cancellation. Thus, this option is unlikely to help you keep your calendar completely full. 

That said, the Strict policy can be used for dates with high rates and long booking windows or properties that are in demand throughout the year. Then, during the low season, you can switch to a Flexible policy. 

In short, the rule of thumb is that the stronger your market demand, the stricter you can afford to be. After all, whichever policy you decide to go with, it’s possible to change your cancellation policies and adjust your strategy.

How Does the Airbnb Host Cancellation Policy Work?

Airbnb strives to ensure a pleasant guest experience. One way it does that is by minimizing cancellations by hosts. 

That said, the platform understands that under certain circumstances, you, as a host, might not have other options than to cancel a booking in which case the host will incur fees.

Fees for Host-Initiated Cancellations

If you need to cancel a reservation or are found responsible for one, Airbnb will deduct the cancellation fees from your upcoming payouts as per their Payments Terms of Service. Hosts are fined a minimum cancellation fee of $50, but depending on the booking total and when it’s canceled, it can be more. For example:

• There is a 50% cancellation fee for the nights not stayed if the reservation is canceled 48 hours or less prior to check-in or after check-in.
• If the reservation is canceled more than 48 hours, and 30 days or less, before check-in, the fee is 25% of the reservation amount.
• If the reservation is canceled more than 30 days before check-in, the fee is 10% of the reservation amount.

If something comes up and you can’t honor a booking, it’s best to cancel as soon as possible so your guests have time to make other plans. If you need to cancel within 24 hours of check-in, though, you won’t be able to do it online—you’ll need to reach out to Airbnb directly for help.

What Is The Major Disruptive Events Policy?

The Major Disruptive Events Policy helps hosts and guests when major unexpected events, like natural disasters, government travel restrictions, or severe weather, affect a guest’s ability to travel. Previously called the Extenuating Circumstances Policy, it was renamed and updated in March 2024.

This policy will override the host’s usual cancellation policy, allowing guests to cancel eligible reservations at the impacted location for a refund. It also looks out for hosts by letting them cancel affected bookings without a cancellation fee or penalties.

Events that are covered include:

• Government-declared local or national health emergencies, epidemics, and pandemics
• Travel restrictions imposed by a governmental agency
• Military action or other hostilities
• Natural disasters where the listing is located
• Large-scale essential utilities outages

Airbnb Guest Refund Policy and Cancellations

Directly related to the Airbnb cancellation policy is the Airbnb refund policy. The Airbnb refund policy identifies scenarios or issues in which guests are eligible to receive a refund. There are several situations where guests may be able to receive a full refund from Airbnb like:

• Inability to access the accommodation: A host cancels the booking within 24 hours of check-in, changes the reservation details without the consent of the guest, or fails to provide the keys or access code for self-check-in. 
• Incorrect or inaccurate listing details: The information contained in the listing description was incomplete or inaccurate. This could relate to the property’s size, location, number of bedrooms, and type of space. It could also relate to listed amenities and appliances that don’t function as they should or are broken. 
• Health and safety concerns: The accommodation has not been cleaned or contains health and safety hazards, or houses pets or animals that the host did not disclose beforehand. 

If a guest encounters any of these situations, they need to submit a claim to Airbnb within 72 hours. Airbnb will make the final decision about whether or not the guest will be reimbursed or booked alternative accommodation. 

Guests will need to provide evidence supporting their claim, such as photos, videos, and other documentation. They will also need to provide evidence that they tried to contact the host and resolve the matter directly. Airbnb will then review the claim and respond to the guest with their decision.

Final Thoughts

Airbnb's cancellation policies are designed to balance the needs of both hosts and guests, offering a range of options from flexible to strict that cater to different booking preferences and circumstances. Understanding these policies before listing a property is essential, as they directly impact your future payouts.

That said, while Airbnb offers hosts a variety of policies to choose from, it’s still according to the platform’s terms. If you want more control, another option is to create a direct booking website. With your own website, you have the freedom to customize booking policies to suit the needs of your vacation rental business.

FAQs

What is the most guest-friendly cancellation policy?

Airbnb’s Flexible cancellation policy is the most guest-friendly. It allows guests to cancel up to 24 hours before check-in for a full refund. 

What happens if an Airbnb host cancels a booking?

Airbnb hosts who cancel a booking will be charged a minimum cancellation fee of $50. In addition to the fee, the cancelled dates will be blocked on the host’s calendar preventing them from accepting another reservation for the same dates. If hosts cancel without a valid reason, they could also lose their Superhost status or get their account suspended or, worse, removed.

Which cancellation policy should a host choose?

The property type, location, and demand will determine which Airbnb cancellation policy will be the best fit. For example, new hosts and those in competitive markets generally do best starting with a Flexible or Moderate policy to build reviews and fill their calendar. By contrast, established hosts in high-demand areas or seasonal markets can afford to set a Firm or Limited policy to protect peak revenue.

Does every Airbnb booking come with a free cancellation window?

Yes, as of October 2025, all short stays of under 28 nights with a standard cancellation policy include a 24-hour cancellation period. This means that if the guest cancels within 24 hours of booking for reservations confirmed at least seven days before check-in, the guest will receive a full refund regardless of the host's chosen policy.

Does Airbnb allow hosts to set different policies for different times of the year?

Yes, with Airbnb’s Seasonal Cancellation Policy feature, US hosts can set different cancellation policies for different calendar dates. This way, a host could use a Flexible policy during slow winter months to attract bookings, while switching to Firm for a peak summer weekend or major event. It was announced in its Q4 2025 Fall Release and will be rolled out country by country.