As a Host, you select the cancellation policy that best fits your business needs. This guide helps you understand how these policies impact your payouts when a Guest cancels.
Starting February 2nd, 2026, we've updated our Outdoorsy Cancellation Policy for bookings created that date and onwards. This is to create more predictable and manageable outcomes for your payouts while aligning with industry standards that Guests expect.
For bookings created before February 2, 2026, please refer to our Legacy Outdoorsy Cancellation Policies article instead.
The "Grace Period" Rule
The Grace Period is a brief, immediate window after a Guest’s booking is confirmed, during which they can cancel their reservation for a 100% cash refund of all amounts paid.
Regardless of your chosen policy, all confirmed bookings have a guaranteed brief window for penalty-free cancellation:
- Trips booked more than 7 days from departure: Guests can cancel within 24 hours of confirmation for a full refund.
- Trips booked 7 days or less from departure: Guests can cancel within 1 hour of confirmation for a full refund. Please note there is no grace period available for same-day bookings.
How do Guest Cancellation Policies affect my payouts?
The Outdoorsy Cancellation Policy rules ensure more predictable Host payout management and only affect refunds for the booking’s Rental Amount. This means that the cancellation policy you select as a Host will determine how much payout you’ll get, depending on your Guest’s cancellation timing.
To understand how Guest cancellation policies and penalties affect your payout, refer to the following sections:
1. Flexible Policy
| Guest Cancellation Timing | What the Host Retains | What is Refunded to Guest |
More than 30 days before departure |
$0 (No rental payout) |
Plus:
|
30 days or fewer before departure |
50% of the Rental Amount (subject to Host fee) |
50% of Rental Amount
Plus:
|
2. Moderate Policy
| Guest Cancellation Timing | What the Host Retains | What is Refunded to Guest |
More than 30 days before departure |
$0 (No rental payout) |
Full refund of the Rental Amount Plus:
|
Between 30 and 8 days before departure |
50% of the Rental Amount (subject to Host fee) |
50% of Rental Amount
Plus:
|
7 days or fewer before departure |
100% of the Rental Amount (subject to Host fee) |
$0 (No rental refund)
Plus:
|
3. Strict Policy
| Guest Cancellation Timing | What the Host Retains | What is Refunded to Guest |
More than 30 days before departure |
$0 (No rental payout) |
Full refund of the Rental Amount
Plus:
|
30 days or fewer before departure |
100% of the Rental Amount (subject to Host fee) |
$0 (No rental refund) Plus:
|
Non-Payout Items
The following items are always 100% refundable to the Guest and are not included in Host cancellation payouts:
- Protection Packages (Exterior insurance)
- Damage Protection (Interior insurance)
- Delivery & Prep Fees
- Add-ons or Extras
- Security Deposit Waiver (if applicable)
- Associated taxes for these items
NOTE: The Outdoorsy Service Fee is also non-refundable to the Guest but is retained by the platform to cover support and operational costs.
Guest Payments & Your Security
- Bookings less than 30 days away: Guests are charged in full at booking, securing your potential payout immediately.
-
Bookings more than 30 days away:
- Reservation Deposit: Guests are charged 50% of the trip cost (rental amount, add-ons, extras, Host service items, the Protection Package, and the Security Deposit Waiver, if applicable), the full Outdoorsy fee, and all taxes associated with these items.
- Final Balance: The remaining balance is automatically collected 30 days before the trip.
Extenuating Circumstances
Outdoorsy reserves the right to mediate disputes and may issue refunds outside of these policies for documented extenuating circumstances or for military members called to active duty. Standard policies currently apply to all COVID-19-related cancellations.