How to Get a Refund for a “non-Refundable” Hotel Booking
Back in the spring and summer of 2020, travel was unprecedentedly flexible. Flights, car and hotel bookings could be canceled at the last minute, change fees were eliminated in most cases, and airlines blocked middle seats.
Of course, this was all about staying afloat financially during the pandemic, not making it more convenient for us, so it’s no wonder those traveler-focused rules are gone and have been replaced by higher ones. prices. Recently, the lowest prices for hotel stays are completely non-refundable bookings.
Always try to get a refund, even if your booking says “non-refundable”
Pandemic or not, sometimes life gets in the way of your travel plans. And in many cases, it’s still possible to get a refund for a non-refundable hotel booking, especially if you know weeks or more before your planned stay. So, even if your booking confirmation says “non-refundable”, it’s always a good idea to make a polite phone call to justify your position. In many cases, “non-refundable” acts more as a deterrent than a hard and fast rule.
How to get a refund for a non-refundable booking
When booking a hotel room, we are given the option to prioritize flexibility or cost. So, as Daniel Gillaspia points out in a post for On Arrival magazine, “when you request a refund on a non-refundable rate, you are essentially asking the hotel to ignore the risk you took to save a few dollars.”
This is something to keep in mind when contacting a hotel or booking site to request a refund for a non-refundable room – in other words, don’t act like you’re automatically entitled to a refund. (You do not.)
But there are certain circumstances under which you can get this refund. We should point out that it is always up to the hotel or booking site to decide whether or not to refund your money – these are simply situations where you are more likely to succeed.
Explain that you are sick
If COVID has made one thing clear, it’s that going to work, school, or travel when you’re sick is a terrible idea. Therefore , if you are ill and unable to travel, please contact the hotel or third party booking site where you made your booking and let them know.
In all likelihood, you will need to provide documentation to prove that you are sick, such as a doctor’s note or a positive COVID test (where your name appears on the results, not just a picture of a home test).
Tell us that someone in your family has died (or is about to die)
Same here: expect to be asked for documentation , so try to have it ready before contacting a hotel or booking site.
Share a flight cancellation or other travel disruption
In the event that your flight has been canceled and your trip is delayed, rescheduled (to a different set of dates in the future) or canceled entirely, it is worth contacting the hotel or booking site to potentially receive a full or partial refund. Providing documentation should be relatively easy for this (and already on your phone).
If you were traveling to a wedding that was canceled due to COVID issues, this should work too. The sooner you cancel your booking, the better, as the hotel will be more confident that it will be able to rebook your canceled room.
Mention your participation in the loyalty program
This is not a guarantee that you will receive a refund, but if you are a member of a hotel’s rewards or loyalty program , you should mention this when you request a refund for a non-refundable booking.
Explain how your plans have changed (but do it ASAP)
This is technically why there are refundable hotel bookings, so it will be harder to justify a case, but if you have the time to politely explain to a hotel manager or customer service rep why you are no longer traveling, it’s worth it. shot trying to get at least a partial refund or credit for a future stay, if not a full refund. Again, the hotel wants to be sure they can rebook your canceled room, so if you can cancel weeks (or months) before booking, you should be in good shape even if the booking confirmation says “non-refundable” .”