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Hotel Cancellation Policies Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Everything You Need To Know

BY 

Katie Seemann

- UPDATED: September 10, 2021   |    3

1. Travel  / 
2. Hotels

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The ongoing outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed daily life and put a halt to many travel plans. If you have a hotel stay that’s been affected by COVID-19, you may be wondering what your options are as far as modifying or changing your reservation.

Here are the cancellation policies of major hotel chains and online travel agencies so that you can easily get the information you need. The current situation is ever-evolving, so these policies are subject to change.

For each hotel chain, we’ve also included the recommended way to cancel or change your reservation if there was one. If there isn’t a specific cancellation method listed, your best bet would be to email or call the hotel chain directly.

For information about airlines and cruise lines check out cruise cancellation policies due to COVID-19 and airline cancellation policies due to COVID-19.

Hotel Cancellation Policies Due to COVID-19

Accor

Any reservations for hotels in North America through December 15, 2021, can be changed to a later date without a fee. You can also request a credit voucher to be used at a later date at the same hotel as long as it’s within 18 months of the voucher issue date. For hotels in other locations (except Southern Europe), this policy applies to reservations through December 31, 2021.

To change or cancel your reservation, contact the hotel directly.

If the hotel is closed or not allowed to take guests on the dates of your travel, you can request a full refund without penalty. Refunds can take up to 90 days to be processed.

For more information about Accor’s response to COVID-19, click here.

Best Western

Best Western does not currently have any enhanced cancellation policies due to COVID-19. Refer to your hotel’s specific policy for more information.

For more information about Best Western’s response to COVID-19, click here.

Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels does not currently have any enhanced cancellation policies due to COVID-19. Refer to your hotel’s specific policy for more information. You can modify a cancellable rate online.

For more information about Choice Hotel’s response to COVID-19, click here.

Hilton

All Hilton hotels now offer free changes and cancellations to any reservation, with most locations honoring this policy until up to 24 hours before your stay.

If you booked on the Hilton website or via the Hilton app, you can change or cancel your reservation by contacting the Hilton Guest Assistance team. Phone numbers for each country can be found here.

For more information about Hilton’s response to COVID-19, click here.

Hot Tip: Don’t forget to check your hotel’s elite status policy changes due to COVID-19.

Hyatt

Any reservations booked on or after July 1, 2020, are subject to the cancellation policy disclosed at the time of booking.

To cancel your reservation booked through Hyatt, use the website or mobile app.

For more information about Hyatt’s response to COVID-19, click here.

IHG

All reservations at IHG hotels can be changed without penalty and most can be canceled without a fee.

You can change or cancel your reservation that was booked directly with IHG online or by phone.

For more information about IHG’s response to COVID-19, click here.

Marriott

For any reservations for travel on or after September 1, 2021, the hotel’s individual cancellation policy will apply.

These policies exclude Design Hotels and Homes & Villas by Marriott International.

For more information about Marriott’s response to COVID-19, click here.

Radisson

For any new reservation made after January 1, 2021, in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, or the Caribbean, the individual hotel’s cancellation policy at the time of booking will apply.

For stays in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, and Asia Pacific through December 31, 2021, changes and cancellations can be made without a fee up to 24 hours before the arrival date. Any reservations for these regions after January 1, 2022, are subject to the individual hotel’s policy.

For Radisson’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here.

Wyndham

Any Wyndham reservation can be changed without a fee with at least 48 hours’ notice. The new reservation must be for the same number of nights (or more) as your original reservation.

For Wyndham’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here.

Hot Tip: The policies above apply for direct bookings with the hotel chain or property. If you booked your reservation through a third party, like a travel agent or online travel agency website, you’ll need to contact your booking provider to change your reservation.

Online Travel Agency Cancellation Policies Due to COVID-19

If you booked your hotel through an online travel agency, you may be held to different cancellation policies than those offered by the hotel itself.

Agoda

Free cancellation will be available on some reservations online in the My Bookings section.

If your travel is more than 2 weeks away, Agoda recommends waiting to cancel or modify your reservation, as your reservation’s free cancellation eligibility can change.

For Agoda’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here.

American Express Travel

Bookings made through American Express Travel are subject to each hotel’s individual cancellation policy.

For Amex Travel’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here.

Booking.com

No updated cancellation policy has been published. Booking.com advises you to contact the individual hotel or visit its online help center if you need to change or cancel a reservation.

Capital One Travel / Citi ThankYou Rewards

CX Loyalty powers travel portals for both Capital One (for bookings through August 25, 2021) and Citi. Most hotel bookings are refundable until 72 hours before check-in.

Log in to your account through the applicable portal (Capital One Travel or Citi ThankYou Rewards) and check the My Trips section to make changes online.

For CX Loyalty’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here.

Chase Travel Portal

If you booked a hotel room through the Chase travel portal, your reservation is subject to the hotel’s individual policy regarding changes and cancellations.

For Chase Travel’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here.

Expedia

Expedia does not have an enhanced cancellation policy due to COVID-19. Each individual hotel’s policy will apply.

For Expedia’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here.

GetaRoom

There is no GetaRoom COVID-19 cancellation policy published.

Hot Tip: Does travel insurance cover coronavirus-related claims? Check out our guide to travel insurance and COVID-19 for assistance.

Hopper

Hopper does not have an extended cancellation policy due to COVID-19. If you would like to cancel your hotel reservation, please use the Contact Support option on your trip in the app and then select the Cancel Booking option. You may be asked to fill out a cancellation form that Hopper will send to you in a message.

For Hopper’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here.

Hotels.com

If you booked a hotel on Hotels.com, the individual hotel location’s policy will apply. If you need to change or cancel a reservation, you can do so online in your account or via the chat feature.

For Hotel.com’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here.

HotelTonight

Any reservations made after March 14, 2020, will not have an updated cancellation policy. However, cancellations will be permitted in the following situations with documentation:

• The guest has contracted COVID-19 or is suspected of being infected.
• The guest is complying with disease control restrictions implemented by government or health authorities.
• The guest needs to perform medical or disease control duties related to COVID-19.
• Flight or ground transportation cancellations by the airline or provider.

You can cancel or change your HotelTonight reservation online or by calling 877-522-3344.

For HotelTonight’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here.

Hotwire

Hotwire‘s cancellation policies and refunds follow the individual hotel’s policy. Hot Rate hotels are non-refundable.

For Hotwire’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here.

Orbitz

Orbitz is not offering any special cancellation or change policy in response to COVID-19.

For Orbitz’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here.

Priceline

Priceline‘s cancellation policies and refunds follow the individual hotel’s policy. If your travel is more than 72 hours away, you can cancel your reservation online in the My Trips section of the website.

Travelocity

Travelocity‘s cancellation policies and refunds follow the individual hotel’s policy. To change cancel a refundable rate, visit the customer service portal.

For Travelocity’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here.

Hot Tip: For more information about these websites, check out our guide to the best websites to book hotels at the lowest prices.

Airbnb Cancellation Policies Due to COVID-19

Airbnb reservations made after March 14, 2020, are subject to the host’s cancellation policy, however, some circumstances related to COVID-19 are covered under the Extenuating Circumstances Policy.

For Airbnb’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here.

Final Thoughts

Having to cancel or change a vacation because of something that is out of your control is never fun. Thankfully, many hotels are offering flexible policies that allow you to modify your hotel reservation without penalty.

While the world is still dealing with the ongoing pandemic, just remember it won’t last forever. We will all, once again, be able to travel freely anywhere our hearts desire (and anywhere our points can take us)!