Allow different cancellation policies for different times of the year (FEATURE REQUEST)

[Susie0]

Based on several host comments in this thread, it seems many hosts including me want the ability to set cancellation policies based on the month instead of having 1 constant cancellation policy.

This is an important feature for seasonal, vacation rental businesses especially, in vacation areas.

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Hosting/Flexible-vs-Moderate-Cancellation-Policy/td-p/328498/pag...

SCENARIO:

Have stricter cancellation policies during busy seasons, with higher rates, when people book in advance at higher rates.

When the season is slower, and it is to be expected that fewer people are traveling, a flexible cancellation policy would be more logical.

PLEASE THUMBS UP THIS POST IF YOU WANT AIRBNB TO ADD THIS FEATURE.

[Barbara78]

Hello Cedric, 

Do you mean for the cancellation policy?

[Nathan2911]

Hi @Gina1796 ! Can you explain? 

[Gina1796]

Hi @Nathan2911. Sure, thank you for asking. Currently, whatever cancellation policy you choose applies for the entire time you have you’re calendar open but I would like to be able to change my cancellation policy by season, or even specific dates; for example, having a more flexible cancellation policy during high season - because I know if a guest cancels the dates will likely rebook - and a more strict one during low season when they may not. Personally, I’m in New Orleans and we have definite high/low seasons along with specific ‘Festival’ dates like Mardi Gras & Jazz  Fest every year; the city also frequently hosts huge non-yearly events - most recently the Super Bowl & 3 consecutive nights of Taylor Swift concerts - and I would love to be able to set a cancellation policy for these specific dates that is different from the seasonal policy I’ve set. Right now, because this is not an option, I can only open my calendar 3-6 months out so I can control the cancellation policy - ideally, I would love  to have my calendar open 12 months out and still be able to manage the cancellation policy by season/dates to maximize booking/earning potential. It seems to me this could be easily accomplished by adding it as an option in ‘rule sets’ 🤔

[Nathan2911]

I am exploring this right now also. We need a different cancellation policy based on the number of nights booked. Flexible is fine on 1-5 nights but a 30 day booking that cancels 5 days out leaves us holding the bag. 

[Daniel10691]

How is this not yet a feature? Seems like a no brainer. 

[Julie6183]

Hi Susie,

I have recently joined AirBnB as a host and I have just asked if they have this feature (they don't) as I would love to be more flexible at certain times but stricter during school holidays and on bank holidays. I have submitted feedback and will wait to see what happens.

[Heather289]

Yeh I know what you mean.   

Like, if a guest has booked for a WHOLE WEEK, in PEAK SEASON, and at the full price (for me that is £350 a night), and it is on a FREE CANCELLATION until 5 DAYS beforehand - then, they cancel 5 days beforehand.    

So I have to drop the price to £150 a night and hope someone will bite for at least a few of the days. 

It's super expensive to give the Free Cancellation until 5 days beforehand - but I know as guest, I like to look for the Free Cancellation option.  

[Kimberly879]

Yes, you would think this being the bread-and-butter of the platform it would be more important the latest summer 2024 release they just did of bigger profile photos, or stamps of locations a guest has traveled.

The cancellation policy option from 5 days to 1 month and nothing in between is ridiculous. I need something more like 2 weeks, and it needs to be customizable per day like a rule you can apply. I can't set a cancellation policy of 1 month because it's too aggressive for the whole year and deters some people from booking. However, I had someone cancel a Christmas reservation 1 week before check-in and of course was not able to get it rebooked, losing a lot of revenue.

How is this not added yet?! You can go in and add rules on specific dates, EXCEPT cancellation policy and customized smart pricing. I do not even use smart pricing because I have to tailor price by day of the week, season of the year, and holiday. I can't have my minimum too low and yet if I raise it, it can often go too high on days it shouldn't (that's another thing, the smart pricing feature often seems way off to me. Sometimes it prices me way too high and other times wants it too low).

[Joan2709]

Hi @Susie0 

I noticed Vrbo has added this feature. Definitely overdue on Airbnb and would lead to more bookings.

[Lester71]

Can you specify where this feature exists now?  Please advise, thank you.

[Joan2709]

Hi @Lester71 

Property

Rules & Policies

Add A Seasonal Cancellation Policy

[Jessi-Arrington-and-Creighton0]

VRBO just added a seasonal cancelation option to their policies (HUGE!). Hoping this will light a fire under Airbnb and get this option into our listings ASAP. So important!

https://www.vrbo.com/en-gb/help/articles/What-are-the-cancellation-policy-options