Thanks, all for the input. It was a standard refundable rate but all hotels are now "changes or cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance." When I called the hotel directly from my hotel room in Phoenix it was about 8:00 east coast time. It was the Sheraton Suites MCO. I called the hotel yesterday after discovering the charge on my credit card statement and the front desk supposedly spoke to the manager who wouldn't allow waiving the charge. The reason given was that, supposedly, the first front desk clerk didn't annotate the reservation saying that I had called. I've already reached out to the Marriott Bonvoy Lurker to see if there is anything they can do. My status with Marriott is only Gold, so there's not a lot of incentive for Marriott to be flexible. But I have read a lot of comments in FT, including this thread, that most hotels are flexible in situations like this when you call. Just not in this case I guess.

Anyway, appreciate everyones' thoughts and advice. Will also pursue AA for some miles. If this was Europe there would be 400 Euro in compensation due for a 16 hour delay but it's not.