Free cancellation and no-show policy template
A clear policy is the first step to fewer no-shows. Copy the template below, swap in your details, and put it on your booking page, intake form, and confirmation emails.
The template (copy and paste)
I reserve your appointment time exclusively for you and prepare specifically for our session. To respect both of our schedules, I ask for at least [24 hours] notice to cancel or reschedule.
• Cancellations or reschedules with at least [24 hours] notice: no charge.
• Cancellations with less than [24 hours] notice: [50%] of the service price.
• No-shows: [100%] of the service price (or your [deposit]).
A card is required to book. By booking, you authorize [Your Business Name] to charge the fees above to your card on file if the policy applies.
Replace the bracketed parts with your own notice window, fees, and business name.
Variations
48-hour notice (for longer or high-value sessions)
Swap "24 hours" for "48 hours." Useful for intensives, shoots, or half-day engagements where refilling the slot takes more lead time.
Deposit-based
Require a non-refundable deposit to hold the appointment, applied to the final price if the client shows. The deposit is forfeited on a late cancel or no-show.
Flat late-cancel fee
Charge a fixed amount (for example, $25) for any cancellation inside your window, regardless of service price.
Make the policy enforce itself
A policy on paper still leaves you sending awkward invoices. Sessurely shows your policy at booking, stores the client's card with Stripe, and charges late cancels and no-shows automatically, so the policy actually does its job. Clients can also reschedule themselves within your window from a private link, so honoring the policy is easy on their side too. See how automatic no-show fees work →
More than no-show protection
Enforcing a policy is one job; running the book around it is the rest. Sessurely is the booking app that runs your whole appointment business: your own booking page, a calendar that stays in sync, and a real client book with history, notes, and photos. Add your services and deposits, send intake forms, sell gift cards, take payments, and let reminders and follow-ups go out on autopilot. No-show protection is the standout edge, not the whole product.
You keep what you earn, too. There is no commission on your sessions. Money goes straight to your own Stripe account, and your clients are always yours. The only fee is a 2% no-show-protection fee, capped at $10, on the deposits and no-show fees we process.
Cancellation policy: common questions
How much notice should I require?+
24 hours is the most common window for solo appointment businesses; 48 hours is typical for longer or higher-value sessions. Pick what gives you a realistic chance to refill the slot.
How do I actually enforce a cancellation policy?+
A policy only works if it's collected up front and charged consistently. Sessurely shows your policy at booking, keeps a card on file, and charges late cancels and no-shows automatically so you never have to send the awkward invoice.
More on no-show protection
How no-show fees work → · How to stop no-shows → · What no-shows cost you →
Put your policy on autopilot.
Let Sessurely show your policy, hold the card, and charge no-shows for you. Start free with no card and no trial clock. Your booking page, client book, intake forms, a waitlist, email reminders and 100 texts a month to U.S. numbers cost nothing and never expire. Pro is $49.99 a month billed yearly, and for most pros, two recovered no-shows a month more than cover it.