Weather Policies

Mark your cage as covered

If your tunnel has a roof, a barn, or a permanent structure over it, set it as covered on your listing. Covered cages are exempt from weather cancellations entirely and your normal policy runs instead.

Applies to: Roofed, barn, or enclosed tunnels

Pick your cancellation tier

Flexible, Moderate or Strict sets how long before a session a guest can cancel for a full refund. This is the one policy setting you control, and it governs every non-weather cancellation.

Applies to: Every host

Say it in your listing description

Write how you handle rain in your own words: whether you will hold the slot, what the cage is like in light drizzle, how much notice you want. Guests read it before booking.

Applies to: Uncovered outdoor cages

Action: Message the guest the day before and offer to move them

On an uncovered cage they can take the credit themselves anyway, so better it comes from you

Action: Call it off yourself. Do not wait for the guest

The one case where you should cancel first and explain after

Action: Offer to move them, especially for younger players

Optional courtesy that prevents bad reviews

Action: Reach out before the session on an open-air cage

Balls and loose netting become dangerous in high wind

Action: No action needed, but warn them what to expect

Frozen equipment can break, so it is worth a message

Set Expectations Upfront

"In your listing: "Open-air cage. If it rains you can cancel that session for full CageList credit. Message me and I will hold your usual slot for the following week.""

Proactive Outreach

"Day before: "Forecast shows 60% rain tomorrow. Cancel it from your bookings page for full credit and I will keep the same slot open for you next week.""

Offer Alternatives

"If light rain: "Cage is covered—still good for use. Your call if you want to proceed.""

Document Everything

"Screenshot forecast when canceling. Saves you from disputes."

Be Gracious

"When a regular hits genuine bad luck, cancel it from your side. That returns 100% to them as credit and costs you one session. Reviews matter."

Weather-Proof Marketing

Advertise as "Rain or shine—always available." Charge 20-30% premium over outdoor cages.

Counter-Programming

When the forecast is bad, highlight reliability instead of racing to the bottom on price.

Year-Round Bookings

No seasonal slowdown. Winter becomes peak season if you have heat.

Fewer Cancellations

Weather is not a concern. Higher reliability = better reviews.

Partial Cover

Consider shade, tarp, or roof improvements if outdoor cancellations are frequent.

Manual Weather Adjustments

Use lower off-peak pricing when the forecast makes demand uncertain, and block the day outright if you know the cage will be unusable.

Say It In Your Listing

Write a plain line about rain, heat and lightning in your description so guests know what to expect before they book.

Same-Day Bookings

Enable Instant Book for same-day. Capture last-minute demand when weather clears.

Guest says "It rained" but you disagree

Solution: On an uncovered cage the weather credit is theirs to take and you cannot override it. If it is happening repeatedly with the same guest, contact CageList rather than arguing. If your cage genuinely plays in light rain, mark it covered so the path closes.

Guest no-shows without cancelling

Solution: You keep the money. The booking completes on schedule and your payout releases 48 hours later as normal. No action needed from you.

Forecast changed last minute

Solution: Message them and offer the slot back another day. Goodwill here is cheap and it is what brings the regulars back.

Lightning appeared during session

Solution: Stop the session immediately, then cancel the booking from your dashboard, which returns 100% to the guest as CageList credit. Safety first, paperwork after.