Canceling a Trip (Host)
Once you accept a trip, your guest is counting on it. Cancel as early as possible; a cancellation inside 24 hours of pickup can trigger Trip Rescue and a $100 host penalty.
Prelaunch: Live trips are not open yet. This article describes the cancellation and Trip Rescue flow currently configured for launch.
What happens when a host cancels
The guest is entitled to a full host-cancellation refund. What happens next depends on when you cancel:
| When you cancel | Current configured result |
|---|---|
| 24 hours or more before pickup | Full guest refund. Trip Rescue does not automatically open, and the cancellation remains recorded in the account and trip history. |
| Less than 24 hours before pickup, but before the trip starts | Full guest refund, a $100 host penalty, and Trip Rescue for eligible cancellations. |
| After the trip starts | The pre-trip Trip Rescue flow does not apply. Contact support immediately if the vehicle cannot continue the trip. |
Trip Rescue looks for opted-in, available vehicles that meet the replacement criteria. If the guest accepts one, their protected original trip price carries over without a new payment and Carvia adds a $50 travel credit. If no replacement is available, or the guest declines the offered replacement, the guest receives the full host-cancellation refund plus a $100 travel credit.
How to cancel
- Open the trip from Host trips.
- Select Cancel Trip.
- Choose the most accurate reason and add any requested details.
- Review the consequences shown for that trip, then confirm.
If an emergency may qualify under the Extenuating Circumstances Policy, submit the requested evidence for review. An approved exception may change the host penalty or account consequence, but do not assume an exception has been granted until Carvia confirms it.
Protecting your account standing
Host cancellations are recorded and can be considered in an account review. There is no published automatic “three strikes” rule or automatic protection-plan restriction. Carvia reviews the circumstances and the overall pattern instead.
If you're not sure you need to cancel
Message the guest if a small handoff change could solve the problem without creating pressure to accept an unsafe or unavailable vehicle. If the car has a mechanical problem or an expired inspection, do not proceed with the trip. Cancel, provide the correct reason, and block future dates until the vehicle is ready.