Are there chains or loyalty clubs that make it easier to get day-of cancellation policy?
Background: We are planning a long road trip where some of the details are still evolving (due to family factors beyond our control). A few stops are still in flux, and admittedly I have a bit of concern on possible covid delays. In the good old days, it was easy to get hotel reservations with 6pm cancellation policies. Now most seem have a cancellation policy of at least day-prior (or sometimes 3-days…. or even 7 day prior in resort areas - understandable). So far Priceline, which I usually avoid, seems to have more liberal policies though not always same day.
Yes, we have a few loyalty problems… though I’d need to hunt down details on id/password. Hoping to have some input from this crowd about experiences.
@abasket - I don’t think new policy, though it does seem to be the trend in various areas we’ve been pricing. No surprise in super popular areas, but was not expecting for example in Danbury CT area. I have noticed past few years that sometime the room rate is a tad higher for day-of cancellation rights, but I’d be ok with that to have added flexibility.
Thanks. That tip encouraged me to dredge up Hilton Honors credentials. I tried mine (but will ask hubby to try tomorrow - he would have more points).
The result does give nice benefit for Honors, but not same-day cancellation. Nonetheless the 11:59pm on prior day is as good as I’ve found so far. And it will cover most scenarios that concern me. (though I still fell the sting of paying for 2 unused rooms in similar risky scenario a few years ago).
Adding my Hilton Honors example in case helpful to others.
Few, if any, hotel still has a same-day cancellation policy these days. Also, I don’t think there’s any hotel chain (other than Hyatt) that offers its elite members a different and more lenient cancellation policy.
Both Marriott and Hilton allowed same day cancellations for us a few months ago when travel plans blew up unexpectedly. That said, we have the highest membership status with both. Marriott actually allowed for a 1 hour cancellation when a snow storm/road closure forced D to divert her route unexpectedly. She did rebook with another Marriott property so I don’t know if that made the difference.
You must have Ambassador status with Marriott. The dedicated personal Ambassador probably intervened to make the difference. However, I’m not aware this is a general benefit for Marriott elite members (including those with Ambassador status). Hilton doesn’t have a similar program, does it? Marriott’s Ambassador program was inherited from Starwood.
I don’t believe it’s ambassador, but titanium elite or something like that. D called the hotel directly so I don’t think she talked to anyone special. It’s possible she just got lucky but Hilton did the same thing. We’re the highest level for Hilton (Diamond) and H does a lot of traveling and always stays in Hilton properties.
Per my screenshot posted yesterday, the Hilton Honors will give minor value add. It will save a tad on rate ($198 instead of $203 at this hotel) for semi-flexible rate with 5 day prior free cancellation. But then also same $198 rate for honors flexible/11:59pm prior day cancel instead of $210 for nonmembers. Other websites for hotels near here have 2+ day cancellation policy at most hotels.
So eventually I was able to match that Honors cancellation policy (11:59pm day prior) at same hotel on Hotels.com for about the same rate. I ended up booking with Honors, with the hopes that cancellation if needed (in this case, 50/50 chance) will be easier.
I used to always look for “by 3 pm day of” cancellation policies and they have gotten much much harder to find over the past few years. Best Western is one chain that I’ve still been able to find them more times than not (a lot of variety in quality of Best Westerns, I’m a big reader of TripAdvisor reviews). Cancellation policies depend a lot on the location also - destinations vs place to stop while traveling on a busy highway. The best prices are always “non-refundable” ones but I’m so reluctant to do that.
I’m with Marriott, Hilton, Interncontinental and Hyatt - at the first three high level. I notice most are now two days or to get better rates non refundable or 5 to 7 days cancellation.
The exception is - AAA card (or I imagine AARP).
These are usually 24 hours or same day up to 6.
So if might be worth investing in one of the cards if you don’t have (either) - AARP is cheaper (if you’re over 50).
When you go on the hotel websites, they always have a drop down for special rates - so i always check both aaa. then i’ll check aarp. usually, but not always the same.
they also have govt, etc.
also - if you work for a company, you can go on your companies travel website and see the company rate. i don’t book through the company…but i call the hotel if i see a cheaper rate and i’ll say - i work for such and such - is there a better rate (I already know there is)…so it’s still done on my own, not through work.
Haven’t read the entire thread but I check the cancel policy before I book. Often you have to pay about $10 to have a room you can cancel. I copy the reservation so I have it on hand if I think I might cancel.
Most hotels in the US and Europe let you cancel without penalty up to two days before. Very few let you cancel the day of. I think paying the extra money is worth it. We were pretty lucky during Covid, most places just gave us our money back. But last year on our college tour, we paid all the extra fees to ensure we’d be fine.
