Search Travel Market Report

maestro
maestro
mainlogo
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Barbara Peterson
    • Brian Israel
    • Daine Taylor
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Jessica Montevago
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Mary Gostelow
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Steve Gillick
Check In

Here are the Cancellation Policies of Major Hotel Chains

by Jessica Montevago / November 09, 2018
Here are the Cancellation Policies of Major Hotel Chains

The old standard 24-hour policy left hotels with a significant number of unsold rooms due to last-minute cancellations. Photo: Shutterstock.com. 


Gone are the days when hotel reservations could be canceled on the day of expected arrival. Now, hotels require anywhere from a 24- to 72-hour heads up, otherwise a fee will be incurred.  

According to the hotel chains, which have made news as of late for increasing that amount of notice required, a 24-hour policy left them with a significant number of unsold rooms due to last-minute cancellations. They say increasing that amount of time allows them to better manage inventory; and increases the availability of rooms in locations like New York City, where occupancy is high and rooms can be scarce. 

Another likely reason is to boost revenue. Hotel fees in the U.S. have generated a record $2.93 billion in 2018, as companies try to combat increasing payroll and real estate costs. 

Each hotel brand, and sometimes each hotel, has different policies, and it can also depend on whether the property is a hotel or resort. Hotel nights booked with rewards points often have different cancellation policies.  

As business travel can be upended unexpectedly, many corporate travel managers have said they believe the new policy would push their travelers to take their business elsewhere. Leisure agents, meanwhile, have working relationships with on-duty managers or general managers who may be able to negotiate clients out of cancellation fees.  

Here are the current cancellation policies of several of the main hotel chains. 

Marriott cancellation policy.
Photo: Sergei Prokhorov / Shutterstock.com

Marriott  
Marriott made news as the first major hospitality company to move from a 24-hour to a 48-hour window for guests to notify them of cancellations. 

Reservations need to be canceled at least two calendar days before the scheduled arrival date, or guests will be charged a one-night penalty. The new policy applies to all Marriott and Starwood brands in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America; and excludes only Design Hotels and timeshare properties. 

Hilton Cancellation Policy.
Photo: 
Dorde / Shutterstock.com

Hilton  
Hilton also implemented a 48-hour cancellation policy for hotels in the U.S. and Canada. Franchised hotels can opt out of the policy if they choose, while some hotels in busy cities or resort areas may require 72-hours' notice to cancel.

Hyatt Cancellation policy
Photo: EQRoy / Shutterstock.com. 

Hyatt 
According to CEO Mark Hoplamazian, “About 40 percent of our total, full-service hotels in the Americas have already moved their cancellation policies to be at 48 hours or more. There is a significant portion of those hotels, over 60 of them, that have cancellation policies in excess of 48 hours.” 

IHG cancellation policy
Photo: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.com. 

IHG 
The IHG family of Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites cut back the time required to cancel a reservation without penalty to a standard 24 hours across most of its brands. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants will keep a 48-hour requirement. 

Ritz-Carlton Cancellation Policy
Photo: BalkansCat / Shutterstock.com

Ritz-Carlton 
Cancellations at the Ritz-Carlton must be made seven days in advance, since it’s harder to fill last-minute cancellations for a long weekend or the week. Resort cancellation fees made after the grace period will normally cost guests a fee equivalent to a two-night stay. 

Fairmont Hotels Cancellation Policy.
Photo: Elijah Lovkoff / Shutterstock.com

Fairmont Hotels 
Cancellation policies vary by hotel, by season and by rate offer. The specific policy will be highlighted on all rate offers that are returned when "Checking Availability" online. The policy will also be listed on the online confirmation page and the confirmation email. 

  0
  0
check in
PREVIOUS THIS WEEK ARTICLES
Title Sponsor Visit
{{article.Title}}
View
TRAVEL INDUSTRY EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION & WEBINAR PROGRAMS
Sponsored by
This is the most up to date aggregated list of supplier and destination educational program. Please enter the destination or product name in the search box that you are searching for.
Training Program Name Sponsor Visit
{{training.Subject}}
View

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. Israel Looks Ahead to Reopening for Tourism
  2. Travelers to Quintana Roo Will Soon Have to Pay Tourist Tax
  3. CDC: Vaccinated People Can Now Travel Without Testing or Quarantining
  4. Greece Will Welcome Travelers Again Starting on May 14
  5. CDC: U.S. Cruises Could Resume by Mid-Summer with Restrictions
  6. American Airlines Opens Quarantine-Free Travel Corridor from New York to Italy

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. CDC: Vaccinated People Can Now Travel Without Testing or Quarantining
  2. Travelers to Quintana Roo Will Soon Have to Pay Tourist Tax
  3. Greece Will Welcome Travelers Again Starting on May 14
  4. Travel Advisors Add Fees, Urge Clients to Purchase Insurance
  5. NCLH Submits Plan to CDC, Will Require All Guests to Be Vaccinated
  6. Royal Caribbean Returns to the Caribbean in June
Tip of the Day

I think being in contact with [my clients] gave them more confidence in me and the suggestions I offer.

Linda Kinsey, Custom Travel & Cruise

 Share...
Daily Top List
Brought To You By

5 Things Every Travel Agency Should Do To Boost Business

1. Specialize
2. Give a personal touch
3. Find your niche and sell an experience
4. Maintain a high standard of quality
5. Become a salesman…but inspire trust

Source: Azavista.com

 Share...
Previous Daily Top List
check in
Top Stories
The Biggest Concern of First-Time Cruise Guests is Pricing
The Biggest Concern of First-Time Cruise Guests is Pricing

That is according to TMR’s Outlook on New to Cruise, an inside look at the market for first-time cruisers pre-COVID-19.

Read...
Travelport and American Airlines Extend Content Agreement
Travelport and American Airlines Extend Content Agreement

The agreement is part of an 'exciting time' for Travelport. 

Read...
Silversea Continues Support of Travel Advisors with Bonus Commission
Silversea Continues Support of Travel Advisors with Bonus Commission

Silversea said it’s 'a demonstration of our gratitude for their continued support.'

Read...
Travel Institute Adds Former Seabourn President Rick Meadows to Board
Travel Institute Adds Former Seabourn President Rick Meadows to Board

Meadows is one of three new board members for the Travel Institute.

Read...
Apple Leisure Group Vacations Proclaims 2021 the ‘Year of the Travel Advisor’
Apple Leisure Group Vacations Proclaims 2021 the ‘Year of the Travel Advisor’

'Welcome to your year.'

Read...
Take a Look at Travelport’s New Logo and First-Ever Rebrand
Take a Look at Travelport’s New Logo and First-Ever Rebrand

The next time you log on to Travelport GDS, things will look and feel very different.

Read...
News Briefs
  • African Travel Unveils New Fam Trip
  • MasterAdvisor by TMR April 29th 1-2pm EDT: When To Reach Into Your Pocket
  • April 15th 1-2pm EDT Master Advisor Series: How Being ‘Authentic’ on Social Media Can Grow Your Business
  • Saint Lucia's New Travel Advisor Sweepstakes
  • MasterAdvisor Series by TMR: Why Use a Travel Agent in 2021
  • Jamaica Tourist Board Thanks Advisors with 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways
TMR Outlooks
New to Cruise Outlook
Expedition 2020
Wellness Outlook
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/OOy5da0Dta4/0.jpg
Check-In Clip: When Did You Catch the 'Travel Bug?'
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
243 South Street, OysterBay, NY, 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2021 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy