- Coronavirus has interrupted travel on a global and domestic scale, forcing travelers to cancel flights and hotels last minute. Here’s what you need to know about all of the major hotel and online booking platforms’ cancellation and change policies.
- We encourage all travelers to stay safe, follow guidelines from the CDC website, and take precautions.
- Read all Business Insider hotel reviews here.
Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus, travelers are experiencing global disruptions to their plans from flights being cancelled to the recent ban on Americans traveling to Europe. Others just don’t feel comfortable risking exposure and are calling off travel plans proactively.
The CDC website currently has issued a Level 3 warning (advising travelers to avoid nonessential travel) for travelers in the US and there is still a Global COVID-19 Pandemic Notice. They have also warned that “Sustained community spread of respiratory illness caused by the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring globally.”
Even some states are continuing phased reopenings, many other states are now experiencing huge spikes in cases, which means travel plans are constantly changing. We always advise following the precautions outlined by the CDC and WHO, which may mean changing even domestic your travel plans. To help make the process easier, we’ve compiled a list of current hotel policies surrounding the COVID-19 virus.
Further, all hotel groups are closely monitoring the latest developments and many have enacted new COVID-19 policies and procedures to ensure they meet the health and safety recommendations on hygiene and cleaning when it comes to common spaces and guest rooms.
We will continue to update this list as new information from hotels and travel partners emerge.
Additionally, we understand that right now is a challenging time to plan travel. If you have questions about travel safety, we turned to experts to help answer your questions. Here are a few places to start:
- Is travel safe? We interviewed experts on risks associated with flying, booking hotels or Airbnbs, renting cars, and more, plus ideas on safe vacations during COVID-19The best hotels in New York
- Hotels vs. vacation rentals: Which one is safer? Here's what doctors say
- How to take a safe, socially distanced road trip
- Socially distant travel: safe vacations during COVID-19
Keep reading for change and cancellation policies from hotel brands and online travel booking platforms.
List last updated on 7/28/20.
- 1 Hotels
- Airbnb
- Accor Hotels
- Arlo Hotels
- Choice Hotels
- Disney Hotels
- Four Seasons
- Hilton Hotels
- Hoxton Hotel
- Hyatt Hotels
- IHG
- Loews Hotels
- Marriott Hotels
- Trump Hotels
- Wyndham Hotels
- Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)
1 Hotels
1 Hotels group has a Cancel Anytime rate available that allows for flexible cancellations for any new reservations booked for stays through September 30, 2020 at 1 Hotel South Beach and through December 31, 2020 at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, 1 Hotel Central Park, and 1 Hotel West Hollywood.
Airbnb
Airbnb's Extenuating Circumstances only applied to stays with check-in dates prior to May 31, 2020. All new bookings are not covered by the policy and travelers should instead check individual listings for flexible cancellation options.
Read more about Airbnb's cancellation policy here
Accor Hotels
Guests who booked non-flexible rates with Accor and planned to stay in one of their hotels prior to and inclusive of September 30, 2020 may modify their reservation for a later date without any modification fees.
Alternatively, guests may request a credit voucher for the full amount of the booking value for use at a future date at the same hotel.
Arlo Hotels
Arlo Hotels has their standard cancellation policy back in place and there is only a 24-hour window to cancel for a full refund.
Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels has its standard cancellation policy back in place. This means you can choose from a range of reservation types, including a more flexible option. However, booking a cancellable rate is generally more expesnive.
Disneyland and Disney World Resorts
As part of Disney's phased reopening, select Walt Disney World Resort hotels are now reopen to guests.
To provide additional flexibility, Disney is waiving change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in for reservations with arrivals through October 3, 2020
Four Seasons
Four Seasons guests with existing individual reservations for any future arrival date, full changes or cancellations are allowed at no charge up to 24 hours prior to arrival, as long as the change or cancellation is made by September 30, 2020.
Similarly, for guests making new individual reservations for any future arrival date between now and September 30, 2020, changes or cancellations are permitted at no charge up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival date.
Hilton Hotels
Hilton is waiving all change and cancellation fees for any reservations, including "non-cancellable" rates, made prior to March 12, 2020 with a scheduled arrived date on or before August 31, 2020.
Additionally, any individual reservations booked between March 12 and August 31, 2020 for any future arrival date can be changed or cancelled at no charge, up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival day.
Hoxton Hotel
The Hoxton is offering all guests free changes and cancellations on stays up until August 31, 2020. Cancellations/changes need to be made by 6 p.m. the night before check-in.
Hyatt Hotels
Hyatt is waiving cancellation fees for all reservations booked before July 1, 2020, for arrivals through July 31, 2021 as long as it is 24 hours before your scheduled arrival. This includes Advance Purchase Rate reservations.
For reservations booked on or after July 1, 2020 for arrival dates through July 31, 2021 can also be cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival.
IHG
The brand, which includes Kimpton, Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and many others, is waiving all cancellation fees for bookings made before April 6, 2020 for stays through August 31, 2020.
For new bookings, travelers have a range of options to help have better peace of mind, including a new Book Now, Pay Later option that requires no deposit and allows for cancellations up to 24 hours before your stay.
Loews Hotels
Loews is waiving all cancellation fees for existing and new individual reservations for stays through and including September 30, 2020. This includes any pre-paid and non-refundable reservations.
Group bookings and meetings should contact the hotel directly for cancellations.
Marriott Hotels
Marriott will allow full changes or cancellation without a charge up to 24 hours prior to arrival for all bookings made between March 13 and July 05, 2020.
All reservations booked on or after July 6, 2020 with pre-paid rates are subject to the rate offer rules stated at the time of reservation. So be sure to read the fine print carefully if you decide not to opt for a more expensive flexible rate on new bookings.
Trump Hotels
For Trump Hotels, all cancellations are being handled on a case by case basis. Reach out to the specific hotel for more information.
Wyndham Hotels
For new and existing direct bookings with arrivals after June 30, Wyndham's properties will accommodate non-cancellable rate reservation changes if the request is received at least 48 hours prior to arrival and the same number of room nights or more are booked for a future stay.
Additionally, guests who are prohibited from traveling to any booked hotel under applicable law will have their cancellation or change fees waived on all direct bookings.
OTAs: Hotels booked through Expedia, Kayak, Hotels.com, and other online travel agents
If you booked your hotel with an online travel booking site like Expedia, Kayak, Hotels.com or Booking.com, you will need to contact them directly. This is also true if you booked with a credit card through their booking portal.
Most online booking sites are adhering to the cancellation policies of individual hotels and airlines, so it will vary depending on your exact itinerary and booking.
