Operations

Handling cancellations and reschedules without losing your mind

A rescheduling policy that protects your time without punishing the clients who make you money.

BookAndGo Team14 February 20266 min read

Every service business eventually hits the same question: how much notice do I need for a cancellation, and what happens if a client gives less? The answer you lock in on day one shapes your calendar economics for years.

The 24-hour default

Most BookAndGo tenants run a 24-hour policy: cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours before the appointment, no penalty. Less than 24 hours and you forfeit the deposit (if any) or pay 50% of the service.

When to go stricter

Businesses with high-value services (60+ minute massages, specialised medical consults) often stretch to 48 hours. It filters out tyre-kickers and protects premium time slots.

When to go looser

New businesses chasing reviews should be generous. A 4-hour notice window combined with waitlist auto-fill means you rarely lose revenue from a late cancellation anyway — someone on the waitlist snaps up the slot.

BookAndGo's waitlist auto-fill is your insurance policy against late cancellations. Configure it before you tighten your policy.

Frequently asked

Can clients reschedule from the email reminder?

Yes. Every reminder contains a signed reschedule link. One tap opens the booking page with the current slot pre-selected.

Do I have to charge for late cancellations?

No — the policy is what you communicate, not what BookAndGo enforces. Many tenants run a hard-line policy but forgive first-time offenders.

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