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

BY 

Katie Seemann

- UPDATED: April 26, 2021   |    2

1. Travel  / 
2. Hotels

2

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The current outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed daily life and put a halt to many travel plans. If you have a hotel stay that has 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 way to cancel 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 made directly with Accor for stays through June 30, 2021, can be changed to a later date with no penalty fees. To change your reservation, you’ll need to contact the hotel directly. 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.

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.

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.

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

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. To modify a cancellable rate, use this form.

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

Hilton

All Hilton hotels are now offering 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.

If you booked through another travel site or travel agent, contact them directly.

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

Update: Hilton requires all guests at its U.S. properties to wear face coverings in all indoor public spaces until further notice.

Hyatt

All existing reservations booked before July 1, 2020, can be changed or canceled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival. This includes Advance Purchase Rate reservations.

Reservations made for any travel through July 31, 2021, can be changed or canceled at no charge within 24 hours of scheduled arrival. This includes Advanced Purchase Rate reservations.

There are a few limited exceptions to this policy, including reservations at select Destination properties, Hyatt Residence Club properties, special event rates, and high demand periods. Separate policies also apply to reservations with partners at MGM Resorts, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and Lindblad Expeditions.

To cancel your Hyatt reservation booked through Hyatt, use the website or mobile app. If you booked through an online travel agency, you’ll need to contact the agency to cancel or change your reservation.

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

Update: Hyatt requires all guests wear face coverings in all indoor public spaces and when moving around in outdoor spaces.

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. If you booked through a third party, please contact the agency to change or cancel your reservation.

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

Update: IHG requires all guests at its U.S. and Canadian properties to wear face coverings in all indoor public spaces.

Marriott

For reservations made before July 6, 2020, the policies that were in place at the time of the reservation will be honored.

Reservations made after July 6, 2020, for arrival dates through May 31, 2021, can be changed or canceled without penalty up to 24 hours before the arrival date.

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

These policies exclude Design Hotels and Homes & Villas by Marriott International and only apply to bookings made directly through Marriott. If you booked via a third party, refer to your booking provider for its policies.

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

Update: Marriott requires all guests at its U.S., Caribbean, and Latin American properties to wear face coverings in all indoor public spaces until further notice.

Radisson

For any reservation made between April 2, 2020, and June 30, 2020, for any travel dates, modifications or cancellations can be made up to 24 hours before the arrival date with no penalty fees.

For any new reservation made after September 1, 2020, in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, or the Caribbean, the individual hotel’s cancellation policy at the time of booking will apply.

For reservations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, and Asia Pacific made between April 1, 2020, and December 1, 2020, for any travel dates, changes and cancellations can be made without a fee up to 24 hours before the arrival date. Any reservations for these regions made after January 1, 2021 are subject to the individual hotel’s policy.

These policies apply to bookings made directly through Radisson. If you booked via a third party, refer to your booking provider for its policies.

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

Wyndham

For any travel after June 30, 2020, you’ll be able to change your reservation with at least 48 hours’ notice. The new reservation must be for the same number of nights (or more) as your original reservation.

These policies apply to bookings made directly through Wyndham. If you booked via a third party, refer to your booking provider for its policies.

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

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.

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

Capital One Travel / Citi ThankYou Rewards

CX Loyalty powers travel portals for both Capital One 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.

You can cancel your reservation using this form.

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.

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.

Hotel Tonight

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 Hotel Tonight reservation online or by calling 877-522-3344.

For Hotel Tonight’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. To cancel a standard reservation, use this form.

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

Reservations made after March 14, 2020, or reservations made on or before March 14, 2020, with a check-in day after April 14, 2020, are subject to the host’s cancellation 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, most hotels are offering flexible policies that allow you to modify your hotel reservation without penalty.

While the world is in a bit of chaos right now, just remember it won’t last forever. We will all, once again, be able to travel freely anywhere our heart’s desire (and anywhere our points can take us)!