Create a clear, fair cancellation and no-show policy for your appointments in about a minute. Pick your settings, then copy or download the text.
[Business name] - Cancellation & No-Show Policy When you book a appointment, that time is reserved just for you. To keep things fair for our clients and our team, we ask for the following: Changes and cancellations: Please give at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. You can do this anytime using the link in your confirmation or reminder email, or by contacting us directly. Late cancellations: Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged 50% of the appointment price. No-shows: If you miss your appointment without notice, it will be charged 100% of the appointment price. Late arrivals: If you arrive late, your appointment may be shortened so the next client isn't kept waiting, and the full price applies. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, we may need to treat it as a missed appointment. Illness and emergencies: If you're unwell or have a genuine emergency, please contact us as soon as possible. These situations are handled case by case. If we need to cancel: If your stylist needs to cancel or move your appointment, we'll contact you as early as possible and help you rebook at a time that suits you. By booking a appointment, you agree to this policy. Thank you for understanding!
This template is a starting point, not legal advice. Check local consumer rules before charging fees.
A policy only protects you if clients see it before they book and if it's applied the same way every time. Put it on your booking page, in your confirmation email, and in one sentence in every reminder.
The bigger win is needing it less often. Most late cancellations and no-shows come from clients who forgot, or who knew they couldn't make it but found it awkward to call. A reminder the day before - with a one-click reschedule link - fixes both.
At minimum: how much notice clients must give, how to cancel or reschedule, what happens with late cancellations, and what happens with no-shows. Many businesses also cover late arrivals, deposits, illness exceptions, and what happens if the business cancels.
24 hours is the most common and the easiest for clients to accept. Consider 48 hours for long or expensive appointments (tattoo sessions, 90-minute treatments), travel-based services, or when you need more time to refill a slot.
Common choices are 50% or 100% of the service price, or deducting the session from a prepaid package. Charge at least as much for a no-show as for a late cancellation - otherwise clients have no reason to tell you they can't come.
In most places you can charge a cancellation fee if the client agreed to the policy before booking, but consumer protection rules vary by country and state. This generator gives you a starting point, not legal advice - check local rules if you're unsure.
On your booking page or website, in your confirmation email, and in one short sentence in every appointment reminder. Clients should see it before they book, not after they cancel.
Send a reminder the day before every appointment and include a link to reschedule. The reminder arrives right at a typical 24-hour cutoff, and a one-click reschedule link turns silent no-shows into advance notice you can act on.
SlotSwift sends a reminder the day before every appointment with a calendar invite and a one-click reschedule link - so clients move bookings early instead of cancelling late.
14-day free trial