Are Non-refundable Refunds On Hotel Stays Possible?

PennyGem’s Chloe Hurst gives you tips on how you can still sometimes get a refund on non-refundable hotel accommodation.

Transcript

00:00Everyone loves a refund, especially when you didn't get what you thought you were paying for,

00:08despite being deserving and more than ready for that holiday.

00:12There may be times your non-refundable accommodation really will mean you kiss your money goodbye.

00:18However, don't lose hope just yet.

00:21USA Today reports, in some unique cases, you can still sometimes get a refund.

00:27If your circumstances change, and let's face it, with COVID-19 around, we're used to reactionary solutions,

00:34sometimes a shift in your schedule can be enough to get a refund.

00:38Try requesting to shorten your stay if a full cancellation doesn't work.

00:43Speaking of COVID-19, if you become ill, there is a small chance the hotel might sympathize and allow a refund,

00:51especially if it's in the invested interest of the other guests.

00:55Now, speaking of sympathy, a death in the family might also work on empathetic hotel employees.

01:01Before you go ahead and pull the pity card, many venues may request you provide documentation, so no fake deaths are allowed.

01:10If you've done your research, which hopefully you have beforehand, there may be a way to get a refund if the hotel is not as you expected.

01:18The site reports, appeal to the highest level possible, and if necessary, to your credit card company,

01:24and make sure you take photos of the unexpected letdowns for backup.

01:28Logic would tell you it's best to avoid non-refundable hotel reservations in the first place,

01:34but also consider obtaining travel insurance or rescheduling your stay instead of cancelling it outright.