Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hotel Cancellation Guidelines Explained - Essential Information You Should Know

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hotel Cancellation Guidelines Explained - Essential Information You Should Know

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many travel plans, including hotel stays and flights. In this article, we will explore the cancellation policies of various travel agencies, hotels, and airlines to help you navigate your travel arrangements with confidence.

Expedia, AmexTravel.com, and Priceline, among others, do not have enhanced cancellation policies due to COVID-19. This means that if you booked your hotel through these online travel agencies, you may be held to different cancellation policies than those offered by the hotel itself. For instance, Agoda offers free cancellation on some reservations, while Booking.com has not published an updated cancellation policy.

Hotels have implemented various policies to accommodate travellers during these uncertain times. IHG, for example, allows changes without penalty and most cancellations without a fee. Similarly, Hilton offers free changes and cancellations to any reservation, with most locations honoring this policy until up to 24 hours before your stay. Radisson's cancellation policy for stays in certain regions through December 31, 2022, allows changes and cancellations without a fee up to 24 hours before the arrival date.

Airbnb has introduced a new guest insurance plan, set to launch in the Spring of 2022, and their Guest COVID Support Program covers guests who can't travel due to government mandates like border closures or extended quarantine requirements that weren't in place at the time of booking.

Major airlines and cruise lines currently have varying COVID-19 cancellation policies. Allegiant Airlines offers free cancellations within 24 hours of booking if the flight is at least 7 days away, with a fee waiver during major disruptions. American Airlines has planned cancellations mainly at Chicago O’Hare starting August 2025, and for canceled flights, travelers are contacted and can get a refund or rebooking. Cruise lines like Holland America have adjusted policies offering more flexibility or credit options during the pandemic, but advise checking directly due to frequent updates.

For maximum flexibility, many travelers opt for Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance, which can reimburse 50-75% of prepaid non-refundable costs if travel plans are canceled for any reason, including those not covered by the airline or cruise line cancellation policies. This is a separate purchase during insurance checkout and not automatically included.

In summary, while airlines like Allegiant provide some fee-free windows and flexibility with paid add-ons, most flights canceled by the airline or due to COVID-19 disruptions provide refunds or credits. Cruise lines vary and advise checking directly due to frequent updates. For maximum flexibility, travel insurance with CFAR is an available option. Orbitz, Marriott, Chase Travel Portal, Hotwire, Travelocity, Capital One Travel, and Citi ThankYou Rewards have their own cancellation policies that follow the individual hotel's policy or may vary based on booking date. As always, it's essential to review the cancellation policy of your travel arrangements before finalising your booking.

[1] https://www.allegiantair.com/help/policies/cancellation-policy/ [2] https://www.hollandamerica.com/info/covid-19-updates/ [3] https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/policy/covid-19-travel-updates.jsp [4] https://www.insuremytrip.com/learn/travel-insurance-basics/cancel-for-any-reason-cfar/ [5] https://www.travelpulse.com/news/airlines/airlines-update-cancellation-policies-for-covid-19.html

1. Booking.com has not yet published an updated cancellation policy due to COVID-19, unlike Agoda which offers free cancellation on some reservations.
2. If you booked a flight with Allegiant Airlines, you can get a free cancellation within 24 hours of booking if the flight is at least 7 days away, or during major disruptions.
3. For maximum flexibility during uncertain travel times, consider purchasing Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance, which can reimburse 50-75% of prepaid non-refundable costs if travel plans are canceled for any reason, including those not covered by the airline or cruise line cancellation policies.

Read also: