CANCELLATIONS

[Tim4930]

Hi All,

I'm a year-old Superhost,  but in the last two months of this year alone (2026), I have had 5 cancellations.

In 2025 I had none.

As I am still awarded Superhost status, I can only presume that in the SW England certainly, this reflects the inter/national state of the economy and tightening of belts by many households?

Most of my guests come to Cheltenham for leisure (race week, various festivals, quick dip into the Cotswolds, etc), and/or as a nice family overnight "pit stop" on the way from/to London/ Cornwall on their holidays.

Is anybody else experiencing similar, and if so, any ideas why?!

Thank you.

Tim

[Helen3]

Have you looked at supply and demand for your sort of property in your location. @Tim4930 

Probably a combination of over supply coupled with falling demand?

Make sure you are marketing your STR on all relevant channels and are set up to take direct bookings

By the way do upload a host photo as Airbnb requests - it instils trust in guests and is a factor than can mean guests are more likely to book.. 

[Tim4930]

Hi Helen

Thanks for all that and it's a Yes to STR aspects and taking direct bookings. 

I take the view that with ID theft rife nowadays, adding a photo on a media platform encouraging the viewer to visit your home is not for me!

Thanks once again for your advice/commentary.  

Tim

[Helen3]

I've been a host for eleven years and never had an issue with anyone using the photos I use for Airbnb for ID theft, or on my LinkedIn Profile etc.

just pointing out it may put some guests off from booking with you. 

[Joelle43]

Hello @Tim4930 

Are you by any chance on a Flexible or a Moderate cancellation policy? Your reply is valuable as there is another discussion under the Host Circle where hosts are seeing an increase in cancellations since Airbnb introduced the Book now, Pay Later option for guests?  

This allows guests to reserve and block host calendars with no charge to their credit card and then cancel within the deadline to book somewhere else!  Win win for guests, not so much for hosts🙄

[Tim4930]

Hi Joelle,

I have only just migrated from a Flexible to a Moderate cancellation policy, but only in response to the cancellations I've recently had.

All my cancellations have occurred post the Book now policy - and now I think about it, I have had far FEWER bookings as well since this Book now/Pay later introduction, than I had last year (month-on-month comparison).  In sum, at present I am losing business, and ABNB is losing money. 

Not directly related to this, but I also charge more for Fri/Sat, but charge a week-day rate on the Sunday - as most folk on a weekend break, arrive Fri afternoon and leave Sunday lunch time.

However, I have noted a new development; folk are now arriving Sat afternoon and leave Monday lunch time. Thus they only pay ONE night at the higher w/e rate. With flexi-working, and working from home, this appears to be the new w/e arrangement for weekenders not wanting to pay for Fri AND Sat higher charge rates.