Reservation moved to another hotel, then charged cancellation fee.
 

We booked a night at a new Hilton Garden Inn which was supposed to be open for our trip. Original cancellation policy 48 hours, no big deal.

The hotel wasn't going to be ready on time, so they emailed (not called) me 24 days ahead of our stay to ask if they could rebook. I asked what the new hotel would be (NOT saying they COULD, just asking what it would be), and they rebooked us at a nearby Hampton Inn. The new reservation has a 30 day cancellation policy - booked involuntarily AFTER the window was already expired. Sure enough, when I went to cancel, she told me I would be charged "a cancellation fee" - except she couldn't even tell me what the fee would be! She said I could "try calling the billing department", which I'll do sometime tomorrow in my copious free time :eyeroll:

Any other ideas short of disputing the charge with my credit card company?

(Exact hotels not mentioned to protect the not-so-innocent, but I'm not exactly happy with Hilton right now.)

The timing here is unclear.

At T-24, you were rebooked to the new property with a 30-day cancellation. Did you call to cancel immediately or wait a few hours? If you did wait, how long?

But, in the first instance, this should simply be a call to the new property. No need to start worrying about CC chargebacks and the like.

I didn't call until a few days later, not realizing the new reservation had a new cancellation policy - I only found this out when I called the new hotel (so yes, I did call the new hotel :) )

Mostly just needed to vent, but also see what people thought. Thanks!

The OP said 24 DAYS before, not 24 hours.

The unopened HGI should pay the cancellation fee and/or their manager should get the Hampton's manager to waive it.

I've fired off an email to the person who originally contacted me (by email only, see OP) to explain the situation. I believe they're the HGI manager; we'll see if I get anything. I'll also call sometime today if I get a chance between meetings. Not as frustrated as I was last night, but it's still annoying.

A front desk manager at the Hampton, who understands the back story here, should be able to cancel your reservation with no problems. You just need to get the right person on the phone.

Hopefully this works. After all, they were the ones who actually made the non-refundable reservation (at T-24 it was effectively non refundable).

I would be very annoyed as well. Especially if the call to Hampton was met with that shrug and inflexibility.

If not, if you have any status with Hilton, a call to Hilton Customer Service? (I have had relief that way).

I do have status (Hilton Gold this year, and based entirely on leisure travel, so that's our money they have).

Edit: The HGI manager contacted me, this has been resolved. Thanks, all!

YAY!!! I am so glad that the situation has been resolved to your satisfaction. I agree that they should do whatever it takes to make it right.