Cancellation Rate
Definition
Cancellation rate is the percentage of bookings that get canceled before arrival. A property with 1,000 bookings and 220 cancellations has a 22% cancellation rate.
What it tells you
Cancellation rates vary heavily by segment (OTA bookings cancel more than direct; flex rates cancel more than non-refundable) and by lead time (long-lead bookings have more cancellation surface area). Rising cancellation rate signals either weakening demand or a distribution-mix shift toward more cancellable bookings.
How to track it
PMS reports surface cancellation rate by default. Segment-level breakdown lives in BI tools — Peaqplus tracks positive vs. negative pickup (cancellations are negative pickup) and stagnation separately.
Where it fits
Inputs the wash factor and overbooking levels. Also informs the rate-strategy decision between flex and non-refundable rates.