I'm a Gold Elite Bonvoy member - first earned status in 2023. Earlier this month I booked a room using points for a non-work trip.

My partner ended up in the hospital the day I was supposed to travel so I obviously didn't go. I messaged the hotel on the app at 4pm the day I was supposed to check in, telling them I knew the cancelation window had passed but thought I would let them know so they could release the room. To my immense surprise, the Bonvoy points were refunded to my account 2 days later, despite the hotel desk saying they'd be forfeited.

Did I just get lucky? Did this have anything to do with my Gold Elite status? I ask because, if this is common for Bonvoy members, it would affect my decision whether to stay loyal to the program in the upcoming year. The flexibility was appreciated in this case, but I realize it may be a one-off. Curious what other folks have experienced with late cancellations.