How to get a refund on a nonrefundable hotel room (2024)

FAQs

Is it possible to get a refund on a non-refundable hotel? ›

The refund will be at the hotel's discretion, so your best bet is to appeal to the management's compassion. Although this is a stressful time, you are more likely to succeed if you can keep as calm and polite as possible.

If a hotel refuses to refund customer payments, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) may step in via an enforcement action. But if you're unsuccessful at requesting a refund and you're interested in filing a lawsuit against the hotel, this may be an option.

Many hotel stays are refundable as long as you cancel within at least 48 hours. But some aren't. If you leave without making any arrangements, the hotel will probably charge you for the full stay. Experts say hotels consider refund requests on a case-by-case basis.

If your booking is non-refundable, you can't cancel or make changes. If your booking is free cancellation or partially refundable, check your confirmation email or the confirmation page under the "Bookings" section of your account for the cancellation fees.

If asking the merchant for a refund didn't work, request a chargeback with your credit card issuer. Many card issuers let you dispute transactions by phone, mail or online. You may also be able to submit a dispute directly through your card issuer's mobile app.

Some hotels allow you to cancel up to 24 hours before your check-in and receive a full refund. This gives you flexibility if your plans change at the last minute. However, you'll be charged a cancellation fee or forfeit your deposit if you cancel any later.

Hotels often insist on addressing any shortcomings during your stay because they are unwilling to lose the revenue from your room. If that doesn't work, or if you decide to check out early, you may get a full refund, a partial refund – or none at all.

Basic refund letter template:

I am writing to request a refund for [product/service name] purchased on [Date] with order number [Order Number]. Unfortunately, the [product/service] did not meet my expectations due to [reason for dissatisfaction], and I believe a refund is warranted.

It is a rate which is non cancelable, non exchangeable and non refundable whatever the reason of the cancellation. The total of the amount of the stay is debited once the booking received at the hotel.

Does free cancellation mean full refund? ›

Non-refundable means that there won't be any refund for any cancelled booking. Free cancellation means that you will be given a refund if the cancellation is done within the stipulated time.

Call the hotel where you have reservations as soon as you know you need to cancel (it obviously has to be before you are required to check in). Give the customer service agent your reservation number and ask him or her to move it forward a few weeks, or even months. They will usually do this with no charge.

It is a rate which is non cancelable, non exchangeable and non refundable whatever the reason of the cancellation. The total of the amount of the stay is debited once the booking received at the hotel.

A comprehensive travel insurance plan protects your nonrefundable reservations, which can include prepaid excursions in addition to airplane tickets and hotel stays. If your trip doesn't involve any nonrefundable reservations, you may not need travel insurance.

If the merchant does not resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you can formally dispute the charge with your credit card issuer. This typically involves filling out a dispute form and providing your collected evidence.