Reservation Cancellation Policies (General Discussion)
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Yes, the one at the time of the booking applies. The online systems do not store the actual text with each reservation, but a code to a list of rate descriptions. They can change the descriptions at anytime and do frequently get changed in the course of the year. When you look at the online system after a change has occurred your reservation will show the new details. That is why it is important to keep your email confirmation (and don't bother to request a new one now as it will reflect the current details). Some properties will try to enforce the new terms but it is up to you to have proof that your rez is different than what they show online today.
From what you've posted they haven't synchronized the codes used in the system. If you follow contract law then the more generous terms go to the one that did not write the contract and you might be able to argue for the 3-day policy. But do check your initial confirmation email and expect them to honor those terms over anything else.
From what you've posted they haven't synchronized the codes used in the system. If you follow contract law then the more generous terms go to the one that did not write the contract and you might be able to argue for the 3-day policy. But do check your initial confirmation email and expect them to honor those terms over anything else.
#32
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
No Show Points Reservation
Good Morning!
I have a reservation for a hotel in Detroit this weekend. At this point due to weather it's a 50/50 shot if the airline will actually get me there.
I am past the cancellation date and am willing to "lose" the points. What I don't want is the Westin to cancel the points and charge me $1200 for the nights! Got any suggestions on how I can get them to take the points and not cash?
I have a reservation for a hotel in Detroit this weekend. At this point due to weather it's a 50/50 shot if the airline will actually get me there.
I am past the cancellation date and am willing to "lose" the points. What I don't want is the Westin to cancel the points and charge me $1200 for the nights! Got any suggestions on how I can get them to take the points and not cash?
#33
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Redondo Beach, CA USA
Programs: UA 1KMM, Bonvoy LTE+A, HH D, Nat'l EE, Hertz Plat, Avis PC
Posts: 3,713
Just call them! I have always had good luck when discussing real-world situations with hotels. Present your situation politely, and I bet you won't even lose the points.
#34
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 902
SPG used to have the option of cancelling an award reservation and forfeiting the points instead ofpaying the cancellation penalty.Marriott seems to have discarded that option—at least it’s not on the T&CsI suppose cancelling would trigger the cancellation penalty and return the points to your account. So my suggestion is to work it out with the hotel directly, have them keep the reservation and charge Marriott for the award stay.
#35
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: YXU
Programs: MR Bonvoy LP , AC/AE, DL, Porter, SU, Nexus, APEC
Posts: 55
Bob
#36
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
The problem is the airport has been closed for about 15 hours.
I think I am fine. A friend did call and Westin "refunded" her points for tonight and is holding her room for arrival tomorrow. They said just to call back if she still can't get on a plane. (If she can't get on tomorrow she's skipping the trip )
I think I am fine. A friend did call and Westin "refunded" her points for tonight and is holding her room for arrival tomorrow. They said just to call back if she still can't get on a plane. (If she can't get on tomorrow she's skipping the trip )
#37
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
At a non-resort property, it would be unheard of not to waive any cancellation penalty at a standard chain hotel in the US. The most I have had to supply is a flight number, supposedly so my "story" could be verified.
#38
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: TPA/AUS
Programs: AA EXP/2MM/AC; UA Silver; AS; DL; Marriott LTT; National Car Elite
Posts: 2,428
If you see that you definitely won't be able to make it, you can call to reschedule the reservation and then cancel later with no penalty as long as you're outside of the cancellation window.
#39
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kan@da
Programs: Anything with sweet spots
Posts: 1,790
Cancellation fee of reward stays
What happens if I fail to cancel a reward stay by the free cancellation deadline ? Do I just lose my points ? Am I charged a cash cancellation fee ? or both ?
#40
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
You're charged something like the rack rate and tax for the first night. In the SPG program, you could request (and it was guaranteed if the request was submitted fairly promptly) to pay the penalty instead in points, but I don't know whether the new combined Starriott (soon to be Bonvoy) program has retained this feature; it could depend on what the award stay was booked and from which legacy program in that we would hope that the cancellation poilicy in place at the time the reservation was made is what would apply but YMMV.
#41
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
You're charged per the cancellation policy you agreed to when you booked. It will typically be stated in the reservation itself, visible on the app and the website, and may be stated in your email confirm.
#42
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kan@da
Programs: Anything with sweet spots
Posts: 1,790
You may cancel your reservation for no charge until February 12, 2019 (1 day[s] before arrival).
Please note that we will assess a fee if you must cancel after this deadline. If you have made a prepayment, we will retain all or part of your prepayment. If not, we will charge your credit card.
What's your interpretation ? Will I get my points back ? How much is my credit card going to be charged ?
#43
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 902
Here is the what the cancellation policy says for my reward stay:
You may cancel your reservation for no charge until February 12, 2019 (1 day[s] before arrival).
Please note that we will assess a fee if you must cancel after this deadline. If you have made a prepayment, we will retain all or part of your prepayment. If not, we will charge your credit card.
What's your interpretation ? Will I get my points back ? How much is my credit card going to be charged ?
You may cancel your reservation for no charge until February 12, 2019 (1 day[s] before arrival).
Please note that we will assess a fee if you must cancel after this deadline. If you have made a prepayment, we will retain all or part of your prepayment. If not, we will charge your credit card.
What's your interpretation ? Will I get my points back ? How much is my credit card going to be charged ?
That seems to glitch I have seen at a few properties. It looks they failed to load the correct rate specifications into the booking system and that leads to the website making no reference to the amount of the cancellation penalty.Under MR there seems to be no way of cancelling an award stay and forfeiting the points instead of paying the cancellation penalty. But with a one-day cancellation deadline I dont’t think you should have to worry.
#44
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
Here is the what the cancellation policy says for my reward stay:
You may cancel your reservation for no charge until February 12, 2019 (1 day[s] before arrival).
Please note that we will assess a fee if you must cancel after this deadline. If you have made a prepayment, we will retain all or part of your prepayment. If not, we will charge your credit card.
What's your interpretation ? Will I get my points back ? How much is my credit card going to be charged ?
You may cancel your reservation for no charge until February 12, 2019 (1 day[s] before arrival).
Please note that we will assess a fee if you must cancel after this deadline. If you have made a prepayment, we will retain all or part of your prepayment. If not, we will charge your credit card.
What's your interpretation ? Will I get my points back ? How much is my credit card going to be charged ?
#45
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,484
Unhelpful / vague reservation cancellation deadlines shown on booking
I'm not sure if this has been covered before amid the general gripes about the Marriott.com reservations website, but I thought to discuss it.
The SPG.com booking site used to give very specific cancellation criteria, like:
Now the Marriott.com site is much more vague:
What does 1 day before mean? Any time on the day? 24 hours before official check-in time? Unhelpful.
I have given feedback via the phone agents, but who knows if it'll ever get passed along to someone with authority to improve this.
Is anyone else frustrated by this?
The SPG.com booking site used to give very specific cancellation criteria, like:
"If you cancel between now and 11:59pm March 1, 2019 hotel time, you will not be charged a cancellation fee. If you cancel after 11:59pm March 1, 2019 hotel time, you will be charged $x... etc. etc.
You may cancel your reservation for no charge until March 11, 2019 (1 day[s] before arrival). Please note that we will assess a fee of $x if you must cancel after this deadline. If you have made a prepayment, we will retain all or part of your prepayment. If not, we will charge your credit card. This fee equals 1 night of your room charge (for the first night of your reservation).
I have given feedback via the phone agents, but who knows if it'll ever get passed along to someone with authority to improve this.
Is anyone else frustrated by this?