Hotel Chain COVID Cancellation Policies: October 2020

What are the Hotel Chain COVID Cancellation Policies in October 2020?

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, most hotel chains have made special waiver conditions for new hotel reservations, generally allowing cancellation up to 24 hours before the date of the reservation, and, in some cases, even including pre-paid/non-cancellable rates.

I was shocked to see Hilton abandon this at the end of the September, meaning that we all need to be a bit more careful about what we are booking. Let’s take a look chain by chain.

What is Hilton’s COVID Cancellation Policy?

Back to normal…

• – Reservations made on or before September 30, 2020 can be changed or cancelled at no charge, up to 24 hours before scheduled arrival date. This includes reservations described as “non-cancellable” or Advance Purchase.
• – Reservations made on or after October 1, 2020 will be subject to the cancellation policies at the time the reservation is made.

So you definitely need to make a note of your cancellation rules with Hilton family hotels now. If it says 72 hours or non-refundable, those are now the rules (at least for now!)

What is Hyatt’s COVID Cancellation Policy?

So far, Hyatt still lets you book anything here on out and cancel up to 24 hours prior.

• Existing reservations booked prior to July 1, 2020With some very limited exceptions, existing reservations booked before July 1, 2020 can be cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival. This includes Advance Purchase Rate reservations. Reservations made after April 1, 2020 at Destination Residences or under the Special Event Rates are subject to the cancellation policy disclosed at the time of reservation.
• New reservations booked July 1, 2020 or beyondWith some very limited exceptions, reservations booked on July 1, 2020 or beyond – for arrival dates through July 31, 2021 – can be cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival.Reservations made after April 1, 2020 at select Destination properties or under Special Event Rates, after June 3, 2020 at Hyatt Residence Club properties, and any other reservations made after June 30, 2020 that disclose a different cancellation or refund policy at the time of booking are excluded from this policy and subject to the cancellation or refund policy disclosed at the time of booking. Please visit the Change and Cancellation Fee Waiver Exceptions for a list of excluded Destination and Hyatt Residence Club properties.

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What is Marriott’s COVID Cancellation Policy?

With Marriott, you can make a new reservation now and cancel up to 24 hours prior as long as the booking starts by December 31, 2020. But this excludes pre-paid rates and Special Events, among other restrictions that are less clear. I advise double checking with the hotel if there is any question about the cancellation rules.

• In general, for guests with existing reservations for any future arrival date, the policies that were in place at the time of reservation, or as previously communicated, will continue to be honored.
• For guests with reservations made on or after July 6, 2020, for arrival dates through December 30, 2020, we will allow the reservation to be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival date. Reservations with pre-paid rates and other limited exclusions* will be subject to the rate offer rules communicated at the time of reservation. Please note that changes to the reservation will be subject to availability and any rate differences.
• For guests making new reservations for arrival dates on or after December 31, 2020, individual hotel cancellation policies in place at the time of reservation will apply.

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What is IHG’s COVID Cancellation Policy?

IHG, like Hilton, is “back to normal” and per their website:

FOR NEW BOOKINGS MADE FROM OCTOBER 1, 2020 ONWARDS:

All reservations made from October 1, 2020 will be subject to the terms and conditions of the rate booked.

FOR BOOKINGS MADE PRIOR TO APRIL 6, 2020:

• Any non-refundable/pre-paid bookings for all future arrivals can be cancelled without penalty (up to 24 hours before arrival) up until September 30, 2020*.
• From October 1, 2020, all non-refundable/pre-paid bookings will be subject to the terms and conditions of the rate booked.

FOR BOOKINGS MADE FROM APRIL 6 TO SEPTEMBER 30:

• Any non-refundable/pre-paid bookings for arrivals up to and including September 30, can be cancelled without penalty (up to 24 hours before arrival) up until September 30, 2020*.
• For arrivals from October 1, 2020, all non-refundable/pre-paid bookings will be subject to the terms and conditions of the rate booked. Other rates have flexibility built in to the terms and conditions, including cancellation options. Please consult the terms and conditions of your booking for more details.

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What is Wyndham’s COVID Cancellation Policy?

Since June 30th, new bookings are subject to the terms of the cancellation policy stated when booked.

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