Updates to the Starwood Cancellation Policy [eff for bookings from 15 Jan 2015]
Jan 10, 2015, 7:37 am
#31
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
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Collusion requires communication and agreement. I think Hilton and Starwood lawyers are smart enough to counsel against all discussions of policy and price with competitors; it's been common in the Fortune 100 firms where I've worked.
Jan 10, 2015, 8:17 am
#32
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,120
The issue I have is the following example that I had happen to me.
While trying to get to MHT, my flight was continuously delayed until I could no longer get to a 6 PM meeting. Because of the current cancellation policy I could cancel my reservation at the 4points and not incut the charge. Now this would be no longer possible. I will need to think long aND hard about future Starwood bookings where there is a heighteNed possibility of IRROPS.
While trying to get to MHT, my flight was continuously delayed until I could no longer get to a 6 PM meeting. Because of the current cancellation policy I could cancel my reservation at the 4points and not incut the charge. Now this would be no longer possible. I will need to think long aND hard about future Starwood bookings where there is a heighteNed possibility of IRROPS.
Jan 10, 2015, 8:21 am
#33
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Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,482
You need to book outside of Starwood, Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt in order to avoid this new policy. Hyatt has had this policy for some years.
Jan 10, 2015, 8:56 am
#34
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,416
I never use nonrefundable rates, but the change in cancellation policy might cause me to do so. My reasoning is that the few times I cancel, it's likely due to some last minute issue such as weather, flight delays/cancellations/missed connections, etc. Perhaps the argument should be that hotels are more likely to waive the charges in such cases if the original rate wasn't refundable so that, effectively, the hotel still perceives a nonrefundable rate to be very different from a rate that was cancelable until yesterday.
This could make the SPG Hot Escapes rates look more attractive to me.
If many others shift to nonrefundable rates (or third party or even opaque reservation sites), the change in cancellation policies could cost Starwood far more than any benefit they can receive from the new policy.
This could make the SPG Hot Escapes rates look more attractive to me.
If many others shift to nonrefundable rates (or third party or even opaque reservation sites), the change in cancellation policies could cost Starwood far more than any benefit they can receive from the new policy.
Jan 10, 2015, 4:11 pm
#35
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BCT. Formerly known as attorney28
Programs: LH HON,BA GGL GfL,Hyatt LT Glob,Mrtt LT P,Hilt LT D,IC Amb,Acc P,GHA Tit,LHW Strlg,Sixt/Av/Hz D/Pres
Posts: 6,826
That's quite an assumption. I don't think your quality of argument will impress anybody at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
Collusion requires communication and agreement. I think Hilton and Starwood lawyers are smart enough to counsel against all discussions of policy and price with competitors; it's been common in the Fortune 100 firms where I've worked.
Collusion requires communication and agreement. I think Hilton and Starwood lawyers are smart enough to counsel against all discussions of policy and price with competitors; it's been common in the Fortune 100 firms where I've worked.
Jan 10, 2015, 6:28 pm
#36
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 4,772
It says a lot that Starwood can manage to get all properties to co-operate with a customer unfriendly policy such as this but somehow can't manage to get them all to participate in promos. 
Jan 10, 2015, 8:39 pm
#37
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CT/NY
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium; Amtrak Select
Posts: 61
Seems like a mistake as it's destined to drive more customers to Hotel Tonight and similar solutions. Consumers now conditioned to be on-demand and last-minute will not care for inflexible cancellation policies.
Jan 11, 2015, 10:57 am
#38
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 1,982
As someone who never uses non-refundable rates please explain to me why I should continue doing so? Yes there are times that one can anticipate a cancelation, but there are many legitimate times when one cannot - a MX plane delay, medical emergency, etc. Not just at "airport specific" properties... This is a MAJOR disincentive to book any advance.
Jan 11, 2015, 11:30 am
#39
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You should continue to do whatever you like. The main reason I like refundable rates is that rates change so often - on 75% of my bookings, I will end up rebooking because the rate drops. I usually book AAA (or NBR if available) because they're often equal to or cheaper than the non-refundable rate, but sometimes the NR rate is just too good to pass up.
Jan 11, 2015, 1:14 pm
#40
Join Date: May 1998
Location: australia
Posts: 5,762
All SPG hotels will be able to play that game now - wait until 24 hrs out when all bookings become non-changeable, then drop the rate for check-in the following day.
Jan 12, 2015, 2:40 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,120
Does anyone know if AAA will continue to allow same day cancellations?
Jan 12, 2015, 3:36 pm
#42
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I've seen hotels no longer offer advanced purchase rates at the deadline for cancellation of their normal flexible rates that are available to the public.
Jan 17, 2015, 10:14 am
#43
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
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Posts: 16,032
Flexible rate terms say :
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel between 01/17/2015 and 2:00 PM hotel time on 01/19/2015, there will be no forfeiture amount. If you cancel after 2:00 PM hotel time on 01/19/2015, the forfeiture amount will be a 1 night stay.
If you cancel between 01/17/2015 and 2:00 PM hotel time on 01/19/2015, there will be no forfeiture amount. If you cancel after 2:00 PM hotel time on 01/19/2015, the forfeiture amount will be a 1 night stay.
Jan 17, 2015, 2:32 pm
#44
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
While I don't particularly like this change, it isn't nearly as bad as the SPG cancellation policy at many of the hotels I booked a decade ago ... it was a 2 week cancellation policy.
Don't get me wrong; I'm sad to see this go away. I never gamed it for suite upgrades, but I have used it to get lower hotel rates. I'll adjust my strategy to account for this change.
Don't get me wrong; I'm sad to see this go away. I never gamed it for suite upgrades, but I have used it to get lower hotel rates. I'll adjust my strategy to account for this change.
Jan 18, 2015, 5:58 pm
#45
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto (YYZ)
Posts: 6,279
Does this apply to SPG Awards?
I just booked a couple of free nights for next week and noticed:
The time for canceling without penalty has passed. If you cancel, the forfeiture amount will be USD 450.00. There may be additional applicable charges and taxes.
I just booked a couple of free nights for next week and noticed:
The time for canceling without penalty has passed. If you cancel, the forfeiture amount will be USD 450.00. There may be additional applicable charges and taxes.