**If You Hold a Confirmed Booking at a Hotel, Can It Be Canceled Before Arrival by the Hotel?**
When you reserve a hotel room and get a confirmation, you may take it for granted that your stay is secure. Yet, there are occasions when hotels might cancel bookings ahead of your arrival. Knowing the factors that lead to such cancellations and your rights can assist you in handling these scenarios effectively.
### What Factors Might Lead to a Hotel Canceling Your Booking?
There are multiple situations that can prompt a hotel to cancel a confirmed booking:
1. **Delayed Hotel Launch**: If you’re securing a stay at a newly opened hotel, there is a possibility that the opening may be postponed, which is quite frequent.
2. **Overbooking**: Similar to airlines, hotels sometimes overbook rooms. If forecasts do not match actual occupancy, they might need to “walk” guests to other places.
3. **Property Buy-Outs or Significant Events**: A hotel may cancel bookings due to a buy-out for a considerable event or when a notable event in the vicinity heightens demand, leading them to favor higher-paying guests.
### Are There Regulations for Hotels Not Honoring Reservations?
In the United States, there are not specific regulations governing hotels that fail to honor reservations, unlike the Department of Transportation’s regulations for airlines. This absence of regulation means that disputes regarding canceled bookings typically fall under contract law, with small claims court being the main legal recourse, though many perceive this as impractical.
### What Occurs If a Hotel “Walks” You?
Major hotel chains usually have procedures for walking guests, which involve providing them with accommodation at a nearby hotel and offering compensation. For example, Marriott’s “Ultimate Reservation Guarantee” outlines clear compensation policies, ranging from $100 to $200 plus points, depending on the guest’s status and the brand. IHG also guarantees to pay for the first night’s stay at a similar hotel.
### What Happens If Your Hotel Booking Is Canceled in Advance?
When a booking is canceled ahead of time, the situation becomes more intricate. Unlike walking guests, most hotel chains do not have published policies regarding pre-arrival cancellations. In these scenarios, negotiation is essential:
– Anticipate accommodations at a comparable property.
– If the alternative is not acceptable, seek additional compensation, such as bonus points or credits.
– In the event of a buy-out, your leverage is usually greater, as the hotel is prioritizing profit over existing bookings.
If a hotel cancels merely to raise prices, escalate the matter to corporate customer service or contemplate making the issue public.
### Conclusion
Having a hotel cancel your confirmed booking can be aggravating. While major hotel chains maintain policies for walking guests, advance cancellations often necessitate negotiation. Perseverance and effective communication can aid in achieving a reasonable resolution. If you have faced a hotel reservation cancellation, sharing your experience can offer valuable insights for others encountering similar challenges.