What happens if a host cancels a booking?
At Whimstay, we understand that guest plans depend on confirmed bookings being honored. While cancellations by hosts are rare, they can be disruptive. That’s why we take them seriously and why cancellations made by hosts may result in fees and other penalties.
Here's an overview of how host-initiated cancellations are handled:
Host cancellation fees
If a host cancels a confirmed reservation or if Whimstay determines the host is responsible for a cancellation, the host may be charged a cancellation fee. This fee helps offset the inconvenience to the guest and the impact on trust in our community.
Hosts are responsible for reimbursing Whimstay for:
The Guest Service Fee paid by the traveler.
The Host Service Fee paid by the host.
How it’s charged: Fees are typically billed directly or deducted from future payouts.
No payout for canceled reservations
If a host cancels, they won’t receive a payout for that booking. If the payout was already sent, we may bill directly or deduct the amount from the host’s next payout.
Additional penalties
Beyond fees, a host cancellation may result in account suspension or removal in cases of repeated or inappropriate cancellations.
Valid reasons for cancellation
We understand that emergencies happen and we’re here to help if they do. Hosts may request to have fees and penalties waived if the cancellation is due to:
A major disruptive event (e.g., natural disasters). Please see our Major Disruptive Events Policy for details.
Valid issues outside the host’s control (e.g., sudden property damage or serious illness).
Whimstay will review each case and determine whether fees or other penalties should be waived.
Situations where the host is still responsible
A host may still be held responsible for a cancellation, even if they didn’t cancel the reservation directly, if the listing was:
Double-booked
Substituted with a different property
Inaccurately described in a way that impacts the guest’s stay (e.g., listing a pool that guests can’t use)
Need to cancel? Act fast
If a host cannot honor a booking, it’s their responsibility to cancel as soon as possible so the guest has time to make new plans. Asking the guest to cancel on your behalf or delaying notification to Whimstay, regardless of the reason for cancellation, is not allowed and may result in account penalties.
If you’re a host and unsure whether your situation qualifies for a waiver or you need to cancel a reservation, please contact our customer service team for help.