59. Airbnb Cancellation Policies Explained, Short Stays vs Long Stays

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Episode Summary

In this episode of The Airbnb Roadmap Podcast, I am breaking down Airbnb cancellation policies in real life terms, not just the fine print. This episode was inspired by a recent midterm guest who booked for 3 months and left after only 2 weeks, plus ongoing damage claim frustrations with Airbnb support.

I walk through what actually happens when guests cancel short stays versus long stays, why rejecting an alteration can sometimes protect you financially, and how different cancellation policies impact both hosts and guests. I also share personal stories from my own properties, including extreme cold weather stress, property damage realities, and how distance from your rentals forces you to become a better manager instead of a reactive host.

If you have ever been confused, frustrated, or blindsided by Airbnb cancellations, this episode will give you clarity and confidence moving forward.

Key Takeaways

• Airbnb has different cancellation rules for short stays 27 nights or fewer and long stays 28 nights or more
  • All Airbnb listings include a 24 hour free cancellation window if the booking is made at least 7 days before check in
  • Flexible policies are guest friendly but offer the least protection to hosts
  • Moderate policies provide a balance between bookings and host protection
  • Limited and firm policies increase host protection but may reduce booking conversion
  • Long term stays function more like leases and can guarantee up to 30 nights of income
  • Rejecting an alteration does not penalize your host account
  • Never cancel on behalf of a guest or you risk losing Superhost status
  • Distance from your properties can actually help you scale and systemize better

Why Listen to This Episode?

If you host short term or midterm rentals and want to avoid losing thousands of dollars due to misunderstandings around cancellations, this episode is a must listen. I explain Airbnb policies using real numbers, real scenarios, and real outcomes so you can make smarter decisions for your listings.

This episode is especially helpful if you are considering midterm rentals, traveling nurse stays, or longer bookings and want to understand how to protect your income while still staying guest friendly.

Let’s Connect

Thinking about Airbnb cancellation policies or midterm rentals? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your experience. I would love to cheer you on and help you out.

Work With Me

If you are looking to buy, sell, or scale a short term rental, or if you want access to my Airbnb Roadmap course and resources, reach out. I also connect investors with STR focused agents across multiple states because there is a huge difference between a regular agent and one who truly understands short term rentals.

Chapters

00:01 Life update and recent guest damage
02:18 Temporary fixes and real world hosting decisions
04:40 Managing properties near vs far
07:05 Midterm guest cancellation story
10:29 Why Airbnb cancellations are confusing
12:50 Airbnb 24 hour cancellation rule
14:24 Flexible cancellation policy explained
19:12 Moderate cancellation policy explained
21:28 Limited cancellation policy explained
23:56 Firm and strict short stay policies
31:35 Airbnb policy changes in 2025
39:46 Choosing the right policy as a host
44:30 Long stay cancellation policies
46:53 Why rejecting alterations matters
51:02 Firm vs strict long term stays
54:03 Airbnb resort for sale opportunity
55:22 Courses, resources, and next steps

Subscribe and Share

If this episode helped you understand Airbnb cancellations better, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another host who might be confused or stressed about cancellations. I will see you in the next episode of The Airbnb Roadmap Podcast.