I only ask for a refund if I double book at two properties for the same night and forget to cancel one of them in time if I remember on the day of the reservation. This has happened twice.

Another time, I forgot about my second reservation and decided to pay the cancellation fee because too much time had passed. I know it is a technicality, but I feel comfortable asking for leniency if I miss the cancellation by a few hours versus a few days.