Originally Posted by
jebr
Basically all the major chains have made their publicly-available discounted rates non-refundable to some degree - I've definitely seen it with IHG, Marriott, and Hyatt. I also don't think it's quite the same as airlines - 21 days is far less onerous than 24 hours after booking for most leisure travelers, and a one-day cancellation penalty is usually better than the cancellation fees airlines had.
The discount is also meaningful at times. For a hotel stay I have coming up at a Hampton, the BAR with Honors is $171/night plus tax, while the Hilton Sale Honors rate is $137/night plus tax. That's a meaningful difference - one that on a three night stay I'm very unlikely to change (spouse wants to stay in that particular neighborhood, and there's only one other option that I'd consider acceptable) I'm willing to accept the risk on.
I know. I have a $200 Aspire credit I want to use around the Holidays. But my plans are still a little unsettled, and I'm also a bit concerned with winter weather. I hate the differential between non-refundable and reasonable cancellation rates. I doubt this actually makes the chains any money. People don't book, or they get annoyed. I would certainly book away wthout the Aspire "subsidy." This is what the airlines figured out. Do hotels REALLY want to make money on people whose plans change? That's a terrible business.