Airbnb Cancellation Policy: The Complete Guide for Hosts in 2026
Airbnb's cancellation policy sets how much a guest gets back if they cancel. The policy you pick affects both guest trust and your revenue. In October 2025, Airbnb replaced the old Strict policy with new Limited and Firm options. Flexible and Moderate stay mostly the same.
This guide covers each policy tier, how refunds work, and how to choose.
Written by ChargeAutomation · Last updated July 2026
Key Takeaways
Airbnb's October 2025 update replaced the old Strict policy with new Limited and Firm standard options.
All standard short-stay policies include a 24-hour grace period. It applies when the guest cancels at least 7 days before check-in.
Firm is now the strictest standard policy. It gives a full refund until 30 days before check-in and 50 percent between 7 and 30 days.
Strict and Super Strict still exist. But only hosts invited by Airbnb can use them.
ChargeAutomation can match security deposit holds and payment timing to the cancellation policy you choose.
Airbnb's Standard Cancellation Policies for Short Stays
Airbnb’s standard cancellation policies apply to stays of 27 or fewer nights in a row. Every standard policy includes a 24-hour cancellation window.
In that window, guests can cancel for a full refund, taxes included, up to 24 hours after booking. The booking must be confirmed at least 7 days before check-in.
Flexible lets guests cancel for a full refund until 24 hours before check-in. Moderate protects the host from 5 days before check-in, with a 50 percent payout for unspent nights after that.
Limited applies to bookings made on or after October 1, 2025. It gives a full refund until 14 days before check-in and 50 percent between 7 and 14 days. Inside 7 days, there is no refund.
Here is how each standard tier compares:
Flexible: full refund until 24 hours before check-in
Moderate: full refund until 5 days before check-in, 50 percent after
Limited: full refund until 14 days before check-in, 50 percent between 7 and 14 days
Firm: full refund until 30 days before check-in, 50 percent between 7 and 30 days
Strict and Super Strict: invite only, no grace period beyond 24 hours
Firm, Strict, and Long-Term Cancellation Policies
Firm is now the strictest standard policy most hosts can use. Guests get a full refund until 30 days before check-in. They get 50 percent between 7 and 30 days out, and nothing inside 7 days.
Strict and Super Strict still exist, but only for hosts Airbnb invites. They remove the free-cancellation grace period beyond the first 24-hour rule.
Monthly stays of 28 or more nights in a row use a separate long-term policy. For a full refund, Firm long-term needs 30 days of notice. Strict long-term needs 48 hours plus 28 days.
You can also offer a non-refundable option at a lower rate for stays under 28 nights. The 24-hour cancellation rule still applies to it.
Before you choose a policy, you should:
Compare your current policy with the new Limited and Firm tiers
Check which policy applies to bookings made before or after October 1, 2025
Check if your market has special rules, like Italy, Germany, South Korea, or California
Match your payment and deposit automation to your policy's refund windows
Explain your policy clearly to guests before they book
How ChargeAutomation Helps Hosts Manage Cancellation Risk
Whatever Airbnb cancellation policy you choose, ChargeAutomation can match your payment and deposit flow to it. You don’t need to track refund math by hand.
Security deposit pre-authorization has a 30-day authorization window. It lets you hold a deposit without charging it.
You can also set automated payment timing to match your policy’s refund windows. This saves you from working out partial refunds or payouts by hand when a guest cancels mid-tier.
Here is what this usually includes:
Security deposit pre-authorization with a 30-day authorization window
Automated payment timing matched to your cancellation policy
Holds released on their own after checkout
Less manual math for partial refunds
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the current Airbnb cancellation policy options for hosts?
Since the October 2025 update, the standard short-stay policies are Flexible, Moderate, Limited, and Firm. Strict and Super Strict are only for certain hosts Airbnb invites.
Does every Airbnb cancellation policy include a 24-hour grace period?
Yes. All standard policies for stays under 28 nights include a 24-hour window for a full refund. The booking must be confirmed at least 7 days before check-in.
How is the Airbnb Firm cancellation policy different from Moderate?
Firm gives a full refund until 30 days before check-in and 50 percent between 7 and 30 days out. Moderate only protects hosts from 5 days before check-in. So Firm protects your revenue more.
Can hosts offer a non-refundable rate on Airbnb?
Yes. You can offer a non-refundable option at a lower rate for stays under 28 nights. The standard 24-hour cancellation window still applies.
How does ChargeAutomation help hosts manage cancellations?
ChargeAutomation can match security deposit pre-authorization and payment timing to your cancellation policy. This cuts the manual work of working out partial refunds. Set up automated deposits at chargeautomation.com
