%20--%3e%3cg%3e%3cg%20id='Logotype'%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23141313'%20d='M46.37,250.9L136.63,28.98H0v237.25C0,296.87,21.93,318.83,52.56,318.83v-.03h160.64v-154.45l-156.9,95.23c-5.8,3.71-12.82-2.05-9.94-8.68Z'/%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23141313'%20d='M347.35,104.3c-68.33,0-115.93,44.71-115.93,108.91s47.6,108.9,115.93,108.9,115.93-44.72,115.93-108.9-47.6-108.91-115.93-108.91ZM347.35,255.04c-24.41,0-42.23-17.39-42.23-41.8s17.79-41.83,42.23-41.83,42.23,17.39,42.23,41.83-17.79,41.8-42.23,41.8Z'/%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23141313'%20d='M633.86,118.01c0,3.31-3.71,3.31-7.02,1.66-18.22-9.54-32.29-15.3-53-15.3-56.71,0-95.62,42.66-95.62,108.08s39.32,109.7,93.14,109.7v-.03c21.93,0,35.61-7.02,56.31-19.87,3.71-2.48,8.28-1.66,6.19,3.71l-5.36,12.85h86.51V28.98h-81.15v89.03ZM594.11,255.04c-24.41,0-42.23-17.39-42.23-41.8s17.79-41.83,42.23-41.83,42.23,17.39,42.23,41.83-17.79,41.8-42.23,41.8Z'/%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23141313'%20d='M1406.03,107.65l-23.58,112.61c-1.66,8.68-11.59,9.11-13.65-.4l-24.84-112.22h-94.79c-39.32,0-51.74-11.99-51.74-29.81s10.33-28.15,27.72-28.15c20.27,0,30.64,16.16,32.69,32.29h79.5C1325.35,29.38,1286.43,0,1230.52,0,1168.85,0,1130.32,36.04,1130.32,91.09v16.56h-44.71v67.07h44.71v144.08h81.15v-143.68h70.23l46.53,124.21c3.31,8.28,2.88,17.39-.4,26.1l-28.55,68.73h80.25l120.47-286.51h-93.97Z'/%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23141313'%20d='M886.41,117.98c0,3.31-3.71,3.31-7.02,1.66-19.87-9.94-34.35-15.3-54.65-15.3-60.45,0-93.97,49.29-93.97,107.65,0,64.59,37.26,98.54,87.77,98.54,23.19,0,40.57-7.02,62.1-19.47,5.37-3.31,9.51-.4,7.45,4.57-9.11,20.7-28.55,31.47-59.62,31.47h-83.2v67.07h98.5c72.04,0,123.78-47.63,123.78-114.67V107.65h-81.15v10.33ZM846.67,255.04c-24.41,0-42.23-17.39-42.23-41.8s17.79-41.83,42.23-41.83,42.23,17.39,42.23,41.83-17.79,41.8-42.23,41.8Z'/%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23141313'%20d='M1026.35,18.18c-26.1,0-44.71,16.16-44.71,39.35s18.61,39.35,44.71,39.35,44.72-16.16,44.72-39.35-18.62-39.35-44.72-39.35Z'/%3e%3crect%20fill='%23141313'%20x='985.78'%20y='107.65'%20width='81.15'%20height='211.15'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
What is a No-Show Policy?
A no-show policy outlines the terms and penalties that apply when a guest fails to check in for their reservation without providing any prior notification. This policy is part of the rental agreement and serves to protect the host's revenue by compensating for the period the property was held and unavailable to other potential guests.
Typically, the policy allows the host to retain the full payment or a significant portion of it, such as the first night's rate and any associated fees.
Join the Lodgify newsletter
How it works
A host defines their no-show policy and includes it in the listing description and rental agreement. This policy specifies the conditions under which a guest is considered a no-show, such as not arriving by a certain time (e.g., midnight on the check-in day) without communication.
Once this condition is met, the host can mark the reservation as a no-show. The predetermined penalty, usually retaining the booking payment, is then applied.
This action also frees up the property's calendar, allowing the host to attempt to secure a last-minute booking to mitigate the loss.
Why it matters
A clear no-show policy is crucial for minimizing financial losses and managing a vacation rental business effectively. It ensures hosts are compensated for lost income when a property sits empty due to a guest's failure to arrive.
This discourages speculative bookings and helps maintain the integrity of the booking calendar, leading to more reliable revenue forecasting and operational stability.
Examples
- A guest books a three-night stay for a city apartment but never arrives or contacts the host. The host's no-show policy, as stated on their direct booking website, allows them to charge the full amount of the reservation.
- A family books a ski chalet for a week but misses their flight and fails to inform the property manager. After 24 hours past the scheduled check-in time, the booking is declared a no-show, and per the policy, their payment is forfeited.
- A host has a partial-charge no-show policy. When a solo traveler fails to show up for a four-night booking, the host charges them for the first two nights and refunds the remainder, then immediately makes the last two nights available on their calendar.
- On Airbnb, a guest doesn't arrive for their reservation. The host waits until 24 hours after the official check-in time, and per Airbnb's Host Guarantee and the host's selected cancellation policy, the host receives the payout for the booking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a no-show policy and a cancellation policy?+
How do I enforce a no-show policy?+
Is it legal to charge a guest who doesn't show up?+
Should I refund a guest who was a no-show due to an emergency?+
Related terms
Cancellation Policy
A set of rules defining the penalties a guest incurs for canceling a reservation and the conditions under which they may receive a refund.
Rental Agreement
A rental agreement is a legally binding contract between a property owner or manager and a guest. It outlines the terms, conditions, and rules for a short-term…
Non-Refundable Rate
A non-refundable rate is a discounted booking price offered to guests on the condition that they forfeit their right to a refund if they cancel their…
Check-in
Check-in is the process by which a guest arrives at a vacation rental and gains access to the property at the start of their reservation. It's a foundational…