Solve: no-shows

How to charge a no-show fee for lessons

Save a card when the client books, set your cancellation window, and the fee charges itself when someone misses. No invoice, no awkward text.

The short answer

To charge a no-show fee for lessons, you need a card on file before the lesson and a clear cancellation policy the client agreed to. Coach saves the card at booking and charges your fee automatically when a client cancels late or doesn't show, based on the window you set (most coaches use 24 hours).

Is it OK?

Yes, it's fair, if it's written down

If a client knows the policy before they book and agrees to it, charging for a missed lesson is normal and fair. You're holding court time and turning away other clients for that slot. The rule is written down, shown at booking, and the same for everyone. That's what makes it a policy instead of a fight. Most coaches charge 50% to 100% of the lesson price for a no-show, and a smaller amount for a late cancellation.

Copy it

A 24-hour cancellation policy you can copy

Use it as is or adjust. Put it on your booking page and your clients will see it before they confirm.

A 24-hour policy you can copy
Cancellation policy

Plans change, and that's fine. Here's how it works so we're on the same page.

  • Cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before your lesson and there's no charge.
  • Cancel within 24 hours and you're charged 50% of the lesson.
  • No-show with no notice and you're charged the full lesson price.

Your card is saved when you book. We only charge it if one of the above happens.

Stricter

Full price for any cancellation inside 24 hours, full price for a no-show.

Softer

No charge outside 12 hours, 50% inside 12 hours, full price for a no-show.

Packs

A late cancellation or no-show deducts one lesson from the client's pack.

Pick one, keep it short, and apply it to everyone the same way.

The mechanic

How the fee charges itself

Telling people the policy is easy. Enforcing it is the part that wears coaches down.

01Card saved at bookingA client can't confirm a lesson without a card on file. Nothing is charged then. The card just sits there, ready.
02Your policy runs the clockYou set the window and the amounts once, in plain language, from the chat: “charge 50% inside 24 hours, full price for a no-show.” That becomes the rule on your booking page.
03The fee charges itselfWhen a client cancels late or doesn't show, the penalty is charged to their saved card per your policy. You don't decide each time and you don't send anything.
04You stay in controlIf someone has a real emergency, tell the chat “waive Anna's no-show fee” and it's done. The default is the policy charges; the exception is one sentence.

This is the difference between a reminder and a rule. Reminders ask people not to miss. A saved card plus an automatic penalty means the missed lesson costs what your policy says it costs, every time, without you chasing it.

The payoff

What this does to your week

A no-show used to be two losses: the empty court and the money. With the card on file and the fee on autopilot, the math flips. People show up because the slot actually costs something to miss. The few who don't, pay what they agreed to. You coach. The business runs in the background.

0% platform fee, so you keep the lesson money. Standard Stripe processing still applies on charges.

FAQ

Fair questions

How do I charge a no-show fee for lessons?

Save the client's card when they book and set a cancellation policy. With Coach, the card is required to confirm a lesson, and the fee is charged automatically per your policy when someone cancels late or doesn't show.

Is it legal to charge a client for a missed lesson?+

If the client agreed to a clear policy before booking, charging for a missed lesson is standard practice. Coach shows your policy at booking and keeps the rule the same for everyone, which is what makes it fair and enforceable.

How much should a no-show fee be?+

Most coaches charge 50% to 100% of the lesson price for a no-show and a smaller amount for a late cancellation. Pick what feels right for your court time and apply it to everyone the same way.

What if a client has a real emergency?+

You can waive any fee. Tell the chat "waive this no-show fee" and it's done. The policy charges by default, and you make the exception when it's warranted.

Does the client know they'll be charged?+

Yes. They see your cancellation policy and that their card is saved before they confirm the booking. There are no surprise charges.

Stop eating the cost of no-shows

Set your policy once, save a card at booking, and let the fee charge itself. Start free with a 14-day trial.

Start free, 14-day trial