I’d like OwnerRez to add an option to automatically approve and process guest-requested cancellations for Vrbo bookings when the booking is clearly within the free cancellation period.
I understand that reviewing and approving a cancellation request manually usually only takes a few moments. The issue is the delay when the request comes in while I’m asleep, driving, unavailable, or simply not watching messages. During that time, the calendar remains blocked even though the guest has already indicated they do not intend to stay. For hosts trying to refill canceled dates, clearing the calendar as quickly as possible matters.
There is also a payment-processing reason this can matter. Many guests cancel the same day they book. If the cancellation is processed quickly enough, the refund may be voided before the nightly card batch settles, potentially avoiding unnecessary credit card processing costs. If the request sits until the host manually approves it later, that opportunity may be lost, especially for late-night cancellations.
I realize some hosts prefer to manually review every cancellation request, so I am not suggesting this should be mandatory. But hosts should have the option to enable automatic processing, at least for cancellations that are unambiguously within the free cancellation window and do not require judgment.
The core goal is simple: if the guest is entitled to cancel for free anyway, OwnerRez should be able to clear the calendar and process the refund immediately without requiring manual host intervention.
