Mordac

Probably not possible, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Has anyone managed to get a hotel to cancel a non-refundable booking for free? It's a Kimpton for what it's worth. If so, could you share what you did.

Colin

if they haven't collected payment, you can report a lost credit card to stop approvals on the old card number that's stored in the reservation. many properties wouldn't chase the matter when the card declines.

Crofton138

Not sure if it's my status (Diamond Ambassador) but I've managed to get three non-cancellable bookings cancelled without charge by emailing the hotel and being really nice with a valid reason.

guv1976

What's the reason for wanting to cancel?

I have been successful twice in the past at getting a booking refunded (not sure if it was a non-refundable, or a regular booking that I needed to cancel after the cancellation deadline), due to flight cancellations. In each case, I contacted the hotel directly.

UKtravelbear

Wouldn't that be fraud?

UKtravelbear

It would dpend on the hotel , time of year of the booking, how busy the hotel is or is going to be and how much notice you have given

They may be prepared to allow you to switch it to another booking but that's abour it. If they do refund then great but they don't have to.

koriobg

Probably if you are regular this may increase your chance if asking nicely?

Mordac

It's not really a good reason, I just have found a better deal elsewhere. xD Probably best to stick with the original one then.

Atacama40

Have had this a few times. Always my mistake as well I should add.

When I've approached Ambassador center, the opening is usually the same .... 'it's not allowed sir'. But in fairness with a little polite and firm coms, Ambassador will concede and flex.

In fact, I was told by AC that they are allowed one change or concessionary cancel per year. I rather got the impression that was for those with track record and volume of stays but I could be wrong. I've made a couple of howling bad and large reservations on non flex which have proven to be way off target and they have been accommodating.

I do think in the main that it depends on the degree of humility, polite firmness and quality of communication you strike up. You should get a good hearing. I would not bother dealing with the hotel personally.

Colin

you believe it is "fraud" to throw-away your credit card and ask Chase to send a replacement? will the erroneously-closed-credit-card division of the FBI pursue the matter?

UKtravelbear

It is when you do it deliberatly - not erroneously - to try and avoid paying the bill for a serive you wilingly agreed to pay..

And trying to be snarky doesn't take away from that.

craigthemif

It's rarely a good idea to book non-refundable hotel stays. But whatever... half of FT doesn't listen to that advice.

But when you do book non-refundable WHY WHY WHY are you checking other hotels and/or to see if the rate has dropped. That's what FLEXIBLE rates are for - set/cap your maximum price and let you play around with improvements between booking and staying.

Saral

If they haven't charged you yet, can you amend the booking to a cancellable rate for payment at the hotel, I've been able to do that before, I then cancelled the booking

Colin

it is not "FRAUD" to request a new credit card number from Chase to avoid a charge, anymore than a stop-payment on a check is "FRAUD".

there's a separate matter between you & the hotel. which I addressed in my original post by saying "many properties wouldn't chase the matter when the card declines". if you close out the card number with Chase, cancel the reservation, hotel tries & fails to collect credit card payment, and then the hotel drops the matter, no one has been the victim of "FRAUD." the hotel has decided on its own to not pursue the matter with a demand for payment

Mordac

So I decided to stick with this booking because I'd forgotten about the 10k after 4 nights offer, and that does move the dial! But in case anyone comes across this and wants to know the answer, it did look like this would have worked, thank you very much!