Airbnb’s New Cancellation Policy 2025: What Hosts Need to Know

I sometimes think these changes were inevitable—but knowing something is coming doesn't always ease the impact of its arrival.

As of January 20, 2025, Airbnb has rewritten the rules of hospitality in a way that, while generous to guests, leaves many Filipino hosts staring at their calendars with uncertainty. Bookings, once considered a promise, now feel more like suggestions. Flaky or vulnerable to a change of heart.

The changes in cancellation policies, subtle at first, became unmistakable.

Guests are now gifted with a 24-hour grace period—time to cancel without consequence, even as hosts hold space, declining other potential bookings in good faith. The ground has tilted slightly. A day may seem trivial, but for many hosts, especially those who rely on each reservation, it's enough to unbalance a budget—or a mindset.

Moreover, the old "Strict" policy—the strongest shield in a host's arsenal—has been retired for all who didn't opt in before the clock ran out (Jan. 20, 2025). What remains are policies that lean gently, and sometimes too willingly, in favor of guest flexibility. The new "Limited" approach allows a full refund if a guest cancels two weeks ahead, and even within a week, it still offers them something back. A soft landing for the traveler; a softer income line for the host.

There are other shadows too: no payment for early cancellations, even as calendars are blocked and plans are made; cleaning fees that disappear along with the guest; and the ever-lingering possibility that Airbnb itself may step in and override it all, citing natural disasters, legal constraints, or circumstances that seem to arrive from somewhere just out of reach. It's not that these interventions are unjust—but they do remind one who holds the final pen.

And yet, this is not a lament. Not entirely.

Hosts, after all, are resourceful by nature—accustomed to changing sheets, changing weather, changing platforms.

Some have begun to carve new paths within this softer terrain. Offering non-refundable discounts—a modest 10% in most cases—has become a way to invite commitment. It's not just a price; it's a pact. Others are reaching out to past guests, inviting them to return and rebook—leaning on trusted connections to keep their calendars full.

Some seasoned hosts in the community recommend the "Moderate" policy, not because it's perfect, but because it offers a sort of truce: guests can cancel up to five days before arrival with no penalty, but inside that window, there's still some compensation, some recognition of time held and time lost.

There's poetry too, in how some hosts are learning to speak again—through their listings. A quiet invitation woven into the description: "We love guests who plan. For those ready to commit, we offer a special non-refundable rate." Others send kind messages—not to interrogate, but to understand: "Hi! Thanks for booking. Just confirming your travel plans—we're excited to host you." A digital version of making eye contact across the threshold.

What we're seeing is a rebalancing.

In giving more to the guests, Airbnb has asked the host to stretch—to trust a little more, adapt, and hold space with less certainty.

But perhaps that's not entirely a loss. There's something noble in the way many hosts respond - not with bitterness, but with creativity and clarity.

How did the new cancellation policies affect your listing?

Related post: Pro Tips for New Airbnb Hosts: The Fine Art of Discounts and Charges