The Airbnb Strict cancellation policy allows guests to receive a full refund if they cancel within 48 hours of booking and at least 14 days before a listing's check-in time. In the event of a cancellation within 48 hours, the guest is only entitled to 50% refund, regardless of how far out the check-in date is.

In 2026, Airbnb's "Strict" cancellation policy has largely been replaced or updated for most hosts to the "Firm" policy or a modified version to increase guest flexibility. Under the standard high-protection rules, guests must cancel at least 30 days before check-in to receive a full refund. If they cancel between 7 and 30 days before arrival, they receive a 50% refund of the nighty rate. Cancellations made within 7 days of check-in result in no refund at all. It is important to note that most bookings now include a 24-hour grace period, allowing a full refund if the guest cancels within 24 hours of booking, provided the check-in date is still at least 14 days away. Some "Super Strict" policies (30 or 60 days) still exist for professional hospitality firms but are invitation-only and require guests to commit much earlier for any chance of a partial refund.