Another week, another big winter storm threatening millions of people across the United States, including parts of the Carolinas.
If you've got a golf trip planned, I hope you're able to catch your flight to somewhere warmer and greener.
If not, I've got some potential bad news (on top of your already cancelled flight).
Let’s just say that even though you may not make it to your destination, your money definitely will...
See, it used to be at many hotels you could cancel your reservation anytime before 6 pm on the night you were scheduled to check in.
But as of January 1st of this year, two of the largest chains -- Marriott and Hilton -- modified their cancellation policies...(i.e. they added hotel cancellation fees).
Now, if you don't cancel a reservation by the day before your scheduled arrival, you'll be charged a fee equal to one room night.
And guess what? That's getting off easy.
In a recent New York Times article, Bjorn Hanson at the New York University Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism said, "at some [other] resorts [the penalty] might be three nights. And at some destinations it's the entire stay."
I should note, these changes only affect Marriott and Hilton hotels that previously offered a liberal, same-night cancellation policy. Other hotels under their control have always required longer notice.
Still, this policy change doesn't make traveling any easier, and my fear is it's going to catch on...and spread beyond hotels.
We've already started seeing some golf courses across the pond charging, "nonrefundable deposits."
What do you think? Are you starting to be (unpleasantly) surprised by new cancellation policies at hotels, golf courses, etc?
Please share your thoughts or read what others are saying below.
I found this great website which allows to to sell your reservation if you are stuck with it and cannot show, it's called roomertravel and it takes them 1-2 days to list your booking for sale, so just FYI.
screw me like that and they better have enough insurance to cover that place
Of course about 50 of you could get together and make reservations at one of these hotels, and cancel the day before, informing them that their cancellation charges policy is inappropriate and that you are now cancelling your room because of it. I guarantee you that management would very quickly get the hint, since you followed their rules and they ended up with 50 unsold rooms the next night.
Why would you even consider adding to the bottom line of hotels with these policies? Avoid like the plague!1
Thanks for the heads up. The hotels are doing just what airlines have been doing to the people for a long time. There's no account ability. It costs more and we get less. I work in a business where I am required to stay in the over priced hotels
the policy is wrong. and anyone who would stay at any place with this policy is dumb.
Screw em! I'll sleep in my SUV in their parking lot and shave, shower, and **** in their lobby facilities.
Time to stop using these resorts that have this policy. This is terrible customer service.
I agree there should be some some give and take on both sides. we have to take into account their loss of revenue, but only if they are fully booked and not taking other customer because of our booking.
Just made a reservation for Half Moon Bay Lodge, and they had two rate options, one which allowed for same day cancellation and one that didn't. The difference was only $10.00/night, so our group chose the cancellation rate. It was nice to have an option and being informed up front.