What this feature allows you to do
Seasonal cancellation policies: decide which policies will be available during specific periods and which ones won't. The system will mark the policies you don't want to offer as "closed" for those dates, so on Booking.com guests will only see the ones that are active.
Custom release: set a different release period for each cancellation policy, meaning you can decide how many days before check-in a guest can book under each condition.
Example: you can offer a flexible policy with a 1-day release in low season and a strict policy with a 7-day release in high season.
How to set it up: step by step
Go to Channel PRO and open the cancellation policies section.
Choose whether you want to apply the changes to your whole account or to a specific property.
Select the cancellation policy and define the periods when you don't want it to be available.
Save your changes: the system will mark those dates as "closed" on Booking.com.
Set the specific release for each policy, adjusting how many days in advance guests can book.
Pay attention to the details
You can only block periods if you have more than one active cancellation policy.
For non-refundable policies set up as a promotion, the maximum release limit is 30 days.
You can only block periods if you have more than one active cancellation policy.
Best practices
Use more flexible policies in low season to encourage bookings.
Apply stricter policies in high season to reduce last-minute cancellations.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I block all policies for the same dates?
The system won't allow it. To stop bookings for a specific period, you need to use the "Close for Bookings" option.
Can I apply these settings at the account level?
Yes, you can set it up globally or for each property individually.
What is the maximum release for a promotional non-refundable policy?
30 days before check-in.
What happens on Booking.com when I close a policy for certain dates?
Guests will only see the policies that are still available to book.
Conclusion
Adapting your cancellation policies and release periods according to the season helps you stay competitive and better respond to demand throughout the year. It's a way to attract more bookings when you need them and protect your revenue during critical periods.