I am quite new to Marriott and was stumped to see
these rules, when trying to book a London hotel
Rate Rules
Winter Leisure Promotion, prepay in full, non-refundable if cancelled less than 1 day before arrival, no changes
Additional Information
Europe Winter Sale Promotion 15p/cent
Holding Your Reservation
We will need a credit card prepayment to reserve your room.
To ensure that you receive this special advance purchase rate, we will charge your credit card a prepayment of 72.25 GBP (your full room charge plus tax) when you make your reservation.
Cancelling Your Reservation
Changes to your reservation are not permitted. Please note that you may cancel your reservation for no charge until October 31, 2014.
Please note that your prepayment for this special rate is non-refundable.
Modifying Your Reservation
Changes to your reservation are not permitted.
A reservation made 3 day(s) before your expected arrival.
What exactly are the cancellation terms? How can you cancel your booking until 31 October, yet the payment is "non-refundable" and no changes are permitted?
Am I going mad or are the authors and publishers of these rules mad?