Airbnb has announced an important update to its cancellation policies for short stays. From 1 October 2025, all bookings of 27 nights or fewer will be subject to a new, more flexible cancellation framework, replacing the former “Strict” policy.
New 24-hour free cancellation period
From 1 October, all policies will include a 24-hour free cancellation period. This means that guests will be able to cancel their booking and receive a full refund, including taxes, provided they do so within 24 hours of confirmation and at least 7 days before check-in (based on the property’s local time).
Certain hotels are exempt from this 24-hour free cancellation period.
Airbnb’s new cancellation policies
Airbnb will offer a range of cancellation options for hosts, with varying levels of flexibility.
These will apply to all short stays (less than 28 nights):
1. Flexible
- Cancellations up to 24 hours before arrival → full refund (including taxes).
- If cancelled less than 24 hours before → the host receives payment for the nights stayed plus one additional night.
2. Moderate
- Cancellations up to 5 days before arrival → full refund.
- If cancelled less than 5 days before → the host receives payment for the nights stayed, plus one additional night and 50% of the remaining nights.
3. Limited (available for bookings confirmed from 1 October 2025)
- Cancellations up to 14 days before check-in → full refund.
- Cancellations between 7 and 14 days before → 50% refund.
- Cancellations made less than 7 days before → no refund (the host receives 100%).
4. Semi-Strict
- Cancellations up to 30 days before → full refund.
- Cancellations between 7 and 30 days before → 50% refund.
- Cancellations less than 7 days before → no refund.
5. Strict (only available for certain hosts)
- Cancellations 7 days or more before → 50% refund.
- Cancellations less than 7 days before → no refund.
6. Super Strict 30 Days
- Cancellations 30 days or more before → 50% refund.
- Cancellations less than 30 days before → no refund.
7. Super Strict 60 Days
- Cancellations 60 days or more before → 50% refund.
- Cancellations less than 60 days before → no refund.
What this change means for hosts
With this new model, Airbnb aims to strike a fairer balance between the flexibility guests are looking for and the security hosts need. The introduction of the 24-hour free cancellation period is designed to boost guest confidence when booking, which could in turn lead to an increase in early reservations.
For hosts, this update brings a clearer and more predictable framework. The new policies provide greater transparency regarding timelines and refunds, reducing the ambiguities that previously existed under the “Strict” policy. They also offer hosts more room to adapt their management strategy depending on the season, length of stay or guest profile, allowing for greater control over flexibility levels.
With the “Strict” policy no longer set as the default, all cancellation options will now include the 24-hour free cancellation period. Airbnb is also introducing new categories such as “Limited” and “Semi-Strict”, offering varying degrees of flexibility and protection for hosts.
Listings currently using older policies will be automatically migrated to the new system, requiring no manual action. However, hotels and non-refundable rate plans will remain exempt from the 24-hour free cancellation window and will continue to follow their own specific terms.
Overall, this update represents a move towards a more balanced approach in which flexibility and clarity are designed to improve both the guest experience and the host’s operational predictability.