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Hyatt has published a news release updating the default cancellation policy for reservations created or modified as of January 1, 2018. The change increases the default cancellation policy from 24 hours to 48 hours.
World of Hyatt Explorist and Globalist members will continue to enjoy a 24-hour cancellation policy on reservations where 48 hours is standard, excluding Hyatt Residence Club resorts, Miraval resorts, and M life resort destinations. Additionally, the reduced cancellation period excludes pre-paid / non-refundable rates and when the cancellation policy exceeds 48 hours.
Content of News Release
Effective for reservations made or changed on or after January 1, 2018, Hyatt will implement a revised minimum cancellation policy that allows hotels to manage guestroom availability more effectively, including offering rooms and upgrades to rooms that would have otherwise gone unoccupied.
This new default cancellation policy requires guests to cancel their reservations at least 48 hours in advance to avoid a cancellation fee. Because each Hyatt hotel may continue to set its own cancellation policy based on local market dynamics and expectations, we always encourage guests to check the cancellation policy at the time of booking. It will continue to be transparently communicated at the time of booking and in guest emails.
While this change is designed to improve room availability, we recognize that flexibility is important and will offer relaxed criteria for our most frequent guests. Beginning with reservations made or changed on January 1, 2018, World of Hyatt Explorist, Globalist or Lifetime Globalist members will be able to cancel up to 24 hours before arrival when the hotel’s cancellation policy is 48 hours. This relaxed criteria will apply to all hotels excluding Hyatt Residence Club resorts, Miraval resorts and M life resort destinations and excludes pre-paid and non-refundable rates. It will also not apply when a hotel’s cancellation policy exceeds 48 hours.
Our Take
For most people this probably isn't an issue — but it does make last-minute speculative bookings more challenging. At the same time, Hyatt isn't the first here with SPG/Marriott already setting a 48-hour standard cancellation policy.
Regardless of the change, kudos to Hyatt for rewarding their most loyal members with keeping a 24-hour cancellation policy.
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Def becoming the norm. Especially with the discount last minute booking options now available.
Seems to be the norm lately. Marriott is 48 hour at a lot of properties too
More and more hotel chains seem to be requiring earlier cancellation. I think this will eventually become industry standard.
24hr policy was so good for me. 48 is a pain
I booked a room on a corporate rate and it was still 24 hour cancellation
Good but I don’t usually cancel so not sure how to take this.
Really hate this trend. Any idea if they have a firm cut-off time (like 4pm local) or is it a gamble like Hilton (could be 4 pm, 6pm, midnight – you never know until you get the confirmation email)?
Use a working assumption of midnight, but expect specific hour requirements based on a property.
thank you for the info
Another major chain changing the policy. I feel like when I was growing up you could even cancel the same day before 4 PM at most hotels.
This was the case until quite recently.
Loss of flexibility is never a good thing so this is an important change to keep in mind. It is nice that they’ve left the 24 hour cancellation time intact for those with status — there should be some benefits to loyalty.
I guess this policy may be adopted throughout the industry in the near future.
Unless people change their buying/staying behavior as a result. It gives other hotel chains the opportunity to differentiate themselves with better customer service and flexibility. We’ll see.
Have to admit this change in policy does not sit well with me.
I didn’t even know you could cancel that late without a problem or fee, since it never came up for me. While 24 hours is better than 48, just in case, this is actually good news to me.
Oh great, another “enhancement”
Not a good change.
Not a fan of this trend.
Not unreasonable really. I usually know if I need to cancel hotel bookings at least a week ahead, so this won’t cause to many problems.
This seems to be the standard now
That’s good info to be aware of, I’m not surprised that its being made longer. I suspect other hotels will follow similar rules in the future, to protect themselves.
Better than 72 hours, I suppose, but not great. Business travel can sometimes be unpredictable depending on your industry.
Marriot, now Hyatt, probably the shape of things to come with all of them eventually. Makes sense for them protecting income they can count on but a negative change for those of us who travel and appreciate the flexibility. Would be nice to maintain 24 hr. notice as a member benefit for all programs.
I need to sample Hyatt hotels. I have never stayed at one. Thanks for the blog post.
I’ve never had to cut a trip this close before, but it always felt good to know it was an option. This is disappointing for emergencies.
My last stay at a Hilton Embassy Suites in Chicago was a 3 day cancellation. I usually book hotels with the most flexible cancellation policy.
Not welcome news, but not entirely surprising I guess.
Yes, welcome to the “industry standard”… at least until the first brand makes the next move.
This is not terrible. It may stop some of the speculators from holding rooms that others need.
Even 24-hour cancellation policies aren’t great. You miss a flight or whatever, call the hotel and they still charge you (and of course deny you the points, status credit, etc.)… 🙁
I’ve found that in every case where a missed flight has been the cause of a missed stay that the hotel waives any fees and refunds any payments.
Thanks for heads up.
Do hotels carry a certain time for free cancellations such as how airlines offer?
No, they do not.
Usually cancellation is free up to a certain point. In this case it is 48 hours before a certain time of the arrival for Hyatt.