Airbnb Cancellation Policies for Hosts: Flexible, Moderate, Limited and Firm
Airbnb retired Strict and added Limited. What each policy pays you when a guest cancels, which one fits your calendar, and how to change it.
Airbnb hosts now choose between four standard cancellation policies for stays under 28 nights: Flexible, Moderate, Limited and Firm, after Airbnb retired Strict for new selection on October 1, 2025. Firm is the strictest you can pick, with a full refund up to 30 days before check-in, and Limited sits in the middle at 14 days. Choose by how fast your cancelled dates refill: dates that rebook quickly suit Flexible or Moderate, and dates that stay empty suit Limited or Firm.
What are Airbnb's cancellation policies for hosts?
| Policy | Full refund until | If the guest cancels later |
|---|---|---|
| Flexible | 24 hours before check-in | You're paid for nights stayed plus one more night |
| Moderate | 5 days before check-in | Nights stayed, one more night and 50% of unspent nights |
| Limited | 14 days before check-in | 50% of all nights from 7 to 14 days out; 100% inside 7 days |
| Firm | 30 days before check-in | 50% of all nights from 7 to 30 days out; 100% inside 7 days |
Every policy also has a 24-hour free cancellation window for bookings made at least 7 days before check-in. Stays of 28 nights or more use your separate long-term policy. Sources: Airbnb's Help Center and host resources, and channel manager summaries of the October 2025 changes.
What happened to Airbnb's Strict cancellation policy?
Airbnb stopped offering Strict for bookings made on or after October 1, 2025, and moved listings on Strict to Firm unless the host opted out before that date. It's now invitation-only. Super Strict 30 and Super Strict 60 were retired too: they stopped being available for new listings on June 15, 2026, and most listings on them moved to Firm on September 15, 2026.
Common mistake: Assuming a listing still runs on Strict. Check the policy shown in your listing settings, since most were moved to Firm.
What is the Limited cancellation policy on Airbnb?
Limited is the new middle option, added for bookings from October 1, 2025. Guests get a full refund until 14 days before check-in, 50% back between 7 and 14 days, and nothing inside 7 days. It gives hosts more protection than Moderate without the 30-day window of Firm.
What does each policy pay me if a guest cancels?
| Guest cancels | Flexible | Moderate | Limited | Firm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 days before check-in | $0 | $0 | $0 | 50% of nights |
| 10 days before check-in | $0 | $0 | 50% of nights | 50% of nights |
| 3 days before check-in | $0 | One night plus 50% of the rest | 100% of nights | 100% of nights |
Payouts are before Airbnb's host fee, and refunds of taxes and fees follow Airbnb's rules for each policy.
Which Airbnb cancellation policy is best for hosts?
The one that matches how fast your dates refill. In busy markets where a cancelled weekend rebooks in days, Flexible or Moderate win more bookings and cost you little. Airbnb has said 40% of guests prioritize free cancellation when they book. Where cancelled dates stay empty, such as large homes, peak holiday weeks and seasonal markets, Limited or Firm protect revenue.
Pro tip: Reserve Now, Pay Later only appears on Flexible and Moderate listings, according to Hostfully's 2026 guide. If you use Limited or Firm, guests can't choose it on your listing.
- Cancelled dates rebook within days
- Busy markets and new listings
- Reserve Now, Pay Later shows on your listing
- Cancelled dates stay empty
- Large homes and holiday weeks
- Seasonal markets with long booking windows
Should my cancellation policy change by season?
It can. A ski home might run Firm through holiday weeks and Moderate in mud season, and a beach house might do the opposite. Check how far ahead each season books: the longer the booking window, the more a strict policy protects. RevWhisper sets the policy together with pricing and minimum stays for each season.
How do I change my cancellation policy on Airbnb?
Open the listing in your Airbnb host account, go to its policies or booking settings, and choose a new cancellation policy. The change applies to new bookings only; existing reservations keep the policy they were booked under.
What happens when the host cancels?
Host cancellations carry their own fees and can block dates on your calendar, and they count against Superhost status, which requires a cancellation rate under 1%. Set a policy you can live with rather than cancelling guests later.
Choose RevWhisper if
- You want policy, pricing and minimum stays set together for each season
- You want pricing, rank and listing work done for you
Choose Flexible or Moderate if
- Your dates rebook within days
- You're building reviews on a new listing
- You want Reserve Now, Pay Later on your listing
Choose Limited if
- You want a 14-day buffer without the 30-day window
- You were on Strict and want something close
Choose Firm if
- Your dates stay empty if a guest cancels
- You own a large home or book holiday weeks far ahead
Who is RevWhisper for, and what does it include?
RevWhisper is a done-for-you Airbnb revenue management and listing optimization service. It is for owners who want a team to run their pricing, search ranking and listing content, from 2-bedroom cabins to 20-guest estates.
The service includes:
- Daily pricing managed in PriceLabs, set against a comp set of the listings guests actually compare
- Minimum stay, gap night and last-minute rules
- Search rank tracking on every open date, every day
- Title, description, amenity and photo order optimization, including photo editing
- Monthly performance reporting
Pricing: a flat monthly retainer per listing. RevWhisper does not take a percentage of gross revenue. Scale: over 100 hosts. Where: hosts across North America, and anywhere else with enough comparable listings to price against. The work is done remotely, so location isn't a limit. Results: a 27% average revenue lift within 90 days. Free listing audit: a live 30-minute call with a RevWhisper strategist that shows where your listing ranks on every open date, why views aren't turning into bookings, and what to change first. Book the free listing audit. No account access is required.
Frequently asked questions
What are Airbnb's cancellation policies in 2026?
Flexible, Moderate, Limited and Firm for stays under 28 nights, plus a separate long-term policy for 28 nights or more.
Is Airbnb's Strict policy still available?
Not for new selection. Airbnb retired it for bookings from October 1, 2025 and moved most Strict listings to Firm. It's now invitation-only.
What is the strictest Airbnb cancellation policy?
Firm: full refund until 30 days before check-in, 50% from 7 to 30 days out, nothing inside 7 days.
Can I change my Airbnb cancellation policy after a booking?
You can change it for future bookings. Existing reservations keep the policy they were booked under.
Do all Airbnb bookings get free cancellation?
Every policy includes a 24-hour free cancellation window for bookings made at least 7 days before check-in.
Which policy does RevWhisper recommend?
It depends on how fast your dates refill. RevWhisper sets the policy with your pricing and minimum stays for each season.