New Airbnb Policies Make Booking Cancellations Easier

Effective October 1, 2025, Airbnb will phase out its Strict cancellation policy for new listings. Existing listings on Strict will automatically shift to the new Firm policy.

Hosts already using Strict can keep the old terms for their existing bookings if they opt in before October 1.

All listings will include a universal 24-hour free-cancellation window for bookings made at least 7 days in advance.

Overall, four new policies have been introduced.

Firm policy:

• Full refund if canceled at least 30 days before check-in.
• 50 percent refund if canceled 7–30 days before check-in.
• No refund if canceled less than 7 days before check-in.

Limited policy:

• Full refund if canceled at least 14 days before check-in.
• 50 percent refund if canceled 7–14 days before check-in.
• No refund if canceled less than 7 days before check-in.

Moderate policy:

• Full refund if canceled at least 5 days before check-in.
• No refund if canceled less than 5 days before check-in.

Flexible policy:

• Full refund if canceled up to 24 hours before check-in.
• No refund if canceled within 24 hours before check-in.

Universal 24-hour free cancellation:

• Available within 24 hours of booking for stays at least 7 days away.

The Firm policy will become standard, but Strict remains available to those who retain it before October 1.