Cancellation & refund policy
One simple rule for every trip on FairCar — no fine print, no per-host variations.
When you get a full refund
A guest receives a 100% refund only when both of the following are true at the moment they cancel:
- The cancellation happens within 7 days of when the booking was first created.
- The trip is still 7 or more days away from starting.
When the booking is non-refundable
- The trip begins within 7 days of when the booking was created — non-refundable from the moment of booking.
- More than 7 days have passed since the booking was created.
- The trip is now less than 7 days away from starting.
How it works
Your free-cancellation window is the shorter of 7 days from when you booked or the time until 7 days before the trip starts. A few examples:
- Booking 30 days before pickup → 7 full days to cancel for a full refund.
- Booking 10 days before pickup → 3 days to cancel (since the trip is then 7 days away).
- Booking 6 days or fewer before pickup → non-refundable from the moment you book.
- Cancelling 8 days after booking, even if the trip is months away → non-refundable.
Why we do it this way
Late cancellations leave hosts with an empty calendar they often can't fill on short notice. Capping the cancellation window at 7 days after booking, and locking trips that start within 7 days, protects host income while still giving guests real flexibility for trips planned in advance.
Host-initiated cancellations
If a host cancels your confirmed booking for any reason, you always receive a full refund — regardless of how close the trip is. We'll also help you find a comparable replacement vehicle when possible.
Refund timing
Eligible refunds are issued to the original payment method through Stripe. They typically post to your account within 5–10 business days, depending on your bank or card issuer.
Documented emergencies (serious illness, natural disaster, vehicle unsafe at pickup) are reviewed case-by-case by FairCar support. Open a request from your Trips dashboard within 24 hours of the event.