Where to find your cancellation policy settings

Your cancellation policy lives in the Airbnb Host Center under your listing settings, not in your account settings. Log into your Airbnb account, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left, and select Host. From there, click Listings and choose the specific listing you want to edit.

Once you're in that listing, scroll down to find the Pricing and availability section. Your cancellation policy is grouped with other booking rules here, not in a separate tab. If you don't see it when ready, make sure you're looking at the full listing editor and not just the quick-edit view.

Key Takeaways

  • Your cancellation policy is in Host Center under your listing's Pricing and availability section, not in account settings.
  • Airbnb offers five preset cancellation policies ranging from Flexible (full refund up to 1 day before check-in) to Strict (50% refund up to 14 days before).
  • Changes to your cancellation policy take effect for new bookings only and do not change the terms for guests who have already reserved your listing.
  • You can set different cancellation policies for different listings if you own multiple properties.
  • Changes save automatically once you select a new policy, with no separate submit button required.

The five cancellation policy options and what each one means

Airbnb offers five preset policies you choose from rather than writing your own. Flexible gives guests a full refund if they cancel up to 1 day before check-in. Moderate offers a full refund up to 5 days before check-in, then 50% refund from 5 days to 1 day before. Firm gives a full refund up to 10 days before, 50% refund from 10 days to 3 days before, and no refund after that.

Strict allows a full refund only if the guest cancels more than 14 days before check-in, with 50% refund from 14 days to 3 days before and no refund after. Super Strict gives 50% refund only if cancelled more than 30 days before check-in, and no refund otherwise. Most new hosts start with Moderate or Firm because they balance guest confidence with host protection.

How to actually change your policy

In the Pricing and availability section, find the line that says Cancellation policy. Click on it to open a dropdown menu showing all five options. The current policy will be highlighted. Click the policy you want to switch to.

The change saves when ready — you don't need to click a save button or confirm anything. If you want to double-check that it worked, refresh the page and the new policy should still be showing. The change only affects new bookings from that moment forward.

What happens to existing reservations when you change your policy

Guests who have already booked your listing keep the cancellation terms they saw when they made their reservation. If someone booked under your Flexible policy and you switch to Strict, they still have Flexible cancellation rights. This protects guests from surprise changes and means your policy change won't anger people who already committed to your dates.

This also means you cannot use a policy change to tighten terms on a guest you're worried about. If you need to address a specific booking, you'll need to contact Airbnb support directly rather than changing your listing policy.

When to change your policy and common reasons hosts do

Many hosts tighten their policy during high-demand seasons (summer, holidays) because they can afford to turn away last-minute cancellers — they'll fill the dates anyway. During slower seasons, hosts often switch to Flexible or Moderate to attract more bookings, since guests are more likely to book when they have an exit ramp.

Some hosts change their policy based on how much notice they need to rebook. If you have a 3-night minimum and your market fills slowly, a Strict or Super Strict policy protects you from losing money on short cancellations. If your listing books solid months in advance, you can afford to be Flexible.

How different policies affect your search ranking and guest interest

Airbnb does not publicly state that cancellation policy affects search ranking, but hosts consistently report that Flexible policies attract more inquiries and bookings. This makes sense: guests filter by cancellation policy in the search results, and many choose Flexible or Moderate first. If your listing is otherwise competitive, a stricter policy may mean fewer bookings even if your nightly rate is lower.

The trade-off is real. A Strict policy protects you from last-minute cancellations but may cost you bookings from guests who want flexibility. Test different policies during slower seasons to see what works for your market and your tolerance for risk.

Mistakes to avoid when changing your cancellation policy

Do not assume that changing your policy will fix a problem with a guest who has already booked. It won't. If a guest is behaving badly or you're concerned about a reservation, contact Airbnb support — they can modify terms for that specific booking or help you cancel without penalty if needed.

Do not change your policy right before a busy season expecting it to explore to existing bookings. It won't. If you want a stricter policy for summer dates, change it now while those dates are still open for new bookings. Guests who booked last month under your old policy keep the old terms.

Do not set a policy so strict that it becomes a liability. Super Strict policies can trigger cancellations from guests who get nervous about the terms, and they may also attract guests who plan to cancel anyway and don't care about the refund. Moderate or Firm works for most hosts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have different cancellation policies for different dates on the same listing?

No. Your listing has one cancellation policy that applies to all dates. If you want different terms for peak season versus off-season, you would need to create a separate listing, which most hosts don't do. Instead, adjust your nightly price to account for the risk — charge more during high-demand periods when you can afford a stricter policy.

What if I want to cancel a booking because of the guest's behavior?

Changing your cancellation policy will not affect existing bookings. Contact Airbnb support directly and explain the situation. They can cancel the reservation for you without penalty if the guest has violated house rules or your terms. Do not cancel through the normal process, which may count against your cancellation rate.

Do guests see my cancellation policy before they book?

Yes. Guests see your full cancellation policy on your listing page and in the booking confirmation before they pay. They can also filter by cancellation policy in search results. This is why changing your policy affects new bookings but not existing ones — guests made their decision based on the terms they saw.

Can I write my own custom cancellation policy instead of using Airbnb's presets?

No. Airbnb only offers the five preset policies. You cannot create a custom policy or add exceptions. If you need special terms for a specific booking, you can contact the guest directly and work something out, but your official listing policy must be one of the five options.

How long does it take for a policy change to show up on my listing?

It's when ready. Once you select a new policy, it appears on your listing right away for new guests searching or viewing your page. Existing reservations are not affected, and the change requires no approval or waiting period.