Travel Tip #26

Hotel Tip #4 Beware of Hotel Cancellation Policies.

Most major hotels do not charge you until you check out and will allow you to cancel up to the day you are scheduled to arrive without a penalty. That is not always the case with smaller, family-run lodgings. These places have a tighter budget and fewer rooms, so last minute cancellations can really hurt their bottom line. Before you book a room, beware of the hotel’s cancellation policy, which can be found on their website. Some require up to three days’ notice while others will allow you cancel that day.  If you book through a consolidator like hotels.com, your card may be charged at the time of booking. If you cancel, make sure you see the charge reversed on your statement. If your trip plans seem pretty open-ended, it is best to make reservations that are flexible so that you are not left with a small (large) cancellation fee. Another option would be to go without reservations, but L&A has a type-A planner that would never allow this.

Know Before You Go

Determine how flexible your trip is before you book a room with a strict cancellation policy.

Bottom Line

Vacation planning can be a lot of fun, but be sure to read the fine print when making a reservation.