How to get a refund for a cancelled flight causing hotel penalty
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 6
How to get a refund for a cancelled flight causing hotel penalty
Hello Flyers:
My 9 AM flight UA 922 EWR-LHR departing EWR at 9 AM EST on March 6 (and arriving LHR that night) was cancelled owing to maintenance issues. UA booked me on the next available flight that day, UA 800 departing at 6:05 pm arriving the next day.
Unfortunately I had a hotel reservation in London at the Hilton (at an non-refundable advance purchase rate). Hilton refused to credit me for the night of the 6th despite my request to do so, as I said it was not my fault. I offered to provide them proof of the airlines' cancellation.
From your collective experiences, it is possible for me to ask UA to compensate me for that one night's charge?
If so, how do I go about it? When I called UA, they asked me to use the UA portal, but I cannot find a link.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks in advance.
My 9 AM flight UA 922 EWR-LHR departing EWR at 9 AM EST on March 6 (and arriving LHR that night) was cancelled owing to maintenance issues. UA booked me on the next available flight that day, UA 800 departing at 6:05 pm arriving the next day.
Unfortunately I had a hotel reservation in London at the Hilton (at an non-refundable advance purchase rate). Hilton refused to credit me for the night of the 6th despite my request to do so, as I said it was not my fault. I offered to provide them proof of the airlines' cancellation.
From your collective experiences, it is possible for me to ask UA to compensate me for that one night's charge?
If so, how do I go about it? When I called UA, they asked me to use the UA portal, but I cannot find a link.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks in advance.
#2
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This, however, would definitely make me avoid that hotel in the future (and I thank you for that public service). I don't think I've ever heard of a hotel that didn't offer flexibility for situations like this.
#3
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Unfortunately I had a hotel reservation in London at the Hilton (at an non-refundable advance purchase rate). Hilton refused to credit me for the night of the 6th despite my request to do so, as I said it was not my fault. I offered to provide them proof of the airlines' cancellation.
#4
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When I had a similar issue last month, the Shangri-La Bangkok was quite gracious about changing my reservation and not charging me for the night I missed.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2009
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I will say they have all been in the US, but I have never been charged for the six+ times this has happened to me. I've always provided the flight number to the hotel and they have always been understanding.
#6
Formerly known as UATexasFlyer
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You might also ask the hotel if they were completely booked. If they had lots of rooms, they did not turn any one away because of your no show. Marriott is pretty good about this.
#7
Original Poster
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#8
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To contact UA, use the "contact us" link on the top right of the home page. From there you should reach a screen that allows you to link to a form to email. Include your hotel invoice as a PDF attachment. You won't get cash but you might get a voucher for a future discount on UA that's comparable to what you spent.
#9
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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This is what trip insurance is for, if you choose to buy it. The airline is not going to reimburse you for non-refundable hotel nights.
#11
Join Date: Sep 2013
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If, however, the hotel is overbooked, then releasing the room means that the hotel might avoid overbooking or might sell the room to another person.
However, I agree that in the OP situation at least a partial refund would mean a lot in terms of loyalty. Four years ago priceline refunded my room that I booked through "name your price" tool, and I appreciated that a lot; now I am more confident in booking on priceline (and do it all the time).
#12
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#13
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#14
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The hotel is not responsible for your arrival when you buy a pre-paid stay. This is clearly part of the terms one signs when purchasing. On the other hand, the hotels that make allowances in such situations get my continued business vs those who don't.
Cost savings can be significant and still can be achieved if you miss one night of a multi-night stay. I once personally pre-paid a 2 week stay via a re-seller at a London hotel at 60% of the best price our corporate travel (AMEX) people could quote. Even if I lost a night, I (and my company) would have ended up 'way ahead, even if the hotel didn't make an allowance.
Cost savings can be significant and still can be achieved if you miss one night of a multi-night stay. I once personally pre-paid a 2 week stay via a re-seller at a London hotel at 60% of the best price our corporate travel (AMEX) people could quote. Even if I lost a night, I (and my company) would have ended up 'way ahead, even if the hotel didn't make an allowance.
#15
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