In my experience with a property I never stayed at I had a Fri-Sunday reservation that was non-refundable. My plane was canceled (weather) so I wouldn't come in until Saturday evening at this point and I made the decision it just wasn't worth going. I explained to the hotel on Friday and they canceled the reservation with no charge. I've also had a handful of weather/cancels that make me a day late on other stays that they forgive/refund the day I wouldn't be there. (Even on some of those nights going for $450+)

Explain and usually they understand. Non-Refundable are usually enforced for no-shows or rude people. I'd assume status gets thrown into the mix here to.