- Coronavirus has interrupted travel on a global 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 cruises being cancelled to the recent ban on travelers coming in from 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 has issued 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," as well as noting that older adults and anyone with serious chronic medical conditions may be especially affected.
We advise following the precautions outlined by the CDC and WHO, which means changing 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 shared that they are working hard to ensure they meet the health and safety recommendations on hygiene and cleaning when it comes to common spaces and guest rooms. Specific practices are also outlined on many hotel websites.
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. But when this time passes, and things return to normal, we know you'll be eager to explore the world again.
Whenever that happens for you, and we know it will, we hope our travel content helps you make informed, useful, and inspiring choices on the best places and hotels to book.
In the meantime, we're also including some hotels we love in major US cities that we think you will too, for something uplifting to think about. As always, we encourage all travelers to stay safe, follow guidelines from the CDC website, and take precautions.
- The best hotels in New York
- The best hotels in LA
- The best luxury hotels in Las Vegas
- The best hotels in San Francisco
- The best hotels in Chicago
- The best hotels in Palm Springs
Keep reading for change and cancellation policies from hotel brands and online travel booking platforms.
List last updated on 4/7/20.
- 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
- The Williamsburg Hotel
- Wyndham Hotels
- Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)
1 Hotels
1 Hotels group will allow travelers to rebook any non-refundable stays booked directly for a later date by calling their reservations team directly.
Airbnb
Airbnb is applying its Extenuating Circumstances policy globally. Reservations for stays and Airbnb Experiences made on or before March 14, 2020, with a check-in date between March 14, 2020 and May 31, 2020, are covered by the policy and may be canceled before check-in. The policy will not apply to reservations made after March 14, 2020.
Accor Hotels
Guests who booked non-flexible rates with Accor and are scheduled to arrive prior to May 31, 2020, may modify their reservation for future travel through May 31, 2021 with no penalty by contacting the hotel directly.
They also have modification and cancellation policies in place for regions due to government policies. For hotels in France (including French Polynesia) for stay cancelled between March 1, 2020 and prior to September 15, 2020, guests may cancel their reservation and receive a credit voucher only for the value of the reservation that can be used within 18 months. The same policy is in place for hotels in Italy for a stay cancelled between March 1, 2020 and April 12, 2020, and for hotels in Spain cancelled between March 1, 2020 and April 11, 2020.
Arlo Hotels
The brand is waiving cancellation fees for existing bookings at all Arlo Hotels for stays beginning March 13, 2020 through May 31, 2020.
Choice Hotels
For any travelers that booked directly with Choice Hotels, you can cancel or modify reservations online, including non-cancellable or pre-paid rates, for no charge as long as the request is submitted by June 30, 2020 and it is compliant with hotel country regulations.
Disneyland and Disney World Resorts
The theme parks will be closing entirely beginning March 16, 2020 through the end of the month. Guests with Disney Resort reservations during that period may modify or cancel their reservation at no charge.
If no action is taken to change a reservation by check-in day, Disney will automatically refund payment within seven days.
Four Seasons
Four Seasons guests with individual reservations, including pre-paid, may change or cancel hotel stay at no charge up to 24 hours before arrival, as long as the cancellation or change is made on April 30,2020 or before. Any changes will be subject to availability and rate differences.
Hilton Hotels
Hilton is waiving all change fees for new and existing reservations, including "non-cancellable" rates that are scheduled for arrival on or before June 30, 2020 as long as they are cancelled up to 24 hours before scheduled arrival.
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 existing reservations through June 30, 2020 that were booked April 1, 2020 or before. This includes Advance Purchase Rate reservations.
Additionally, those with Advance Purchase Rate non-refundable reservations made directly with Hyatt on or before March 8, 2020 for arrivals before June 30, 2020 who have decided not to travel may opt to receive 10,000 World of Hyatt Bonus Points instead.
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 June 30, 2020.
Loews Hotels
Loews is waiving all cancellation fees for existing and new individual reservations for stays through and including May 31, 2020. This includes any pre-paid and non-refundable reservations.
Group bookings and meetings should contact the hotel directly for cancellations.
Marriott Hotels
For any guests with existing reservations for any future arrival date, including reservations with prepaid rates, Marriott will allow full changes or cancellation without a charge up to 24 hours prior to arrival, as long as the change or cancellation is made by June 30, 2020. Note that any changes to existing reservations will be subject to availability and rate differences.
Trump Hotels
For Trump Hotels, all cancellation fees for direct booking for stays in March through May will be waived as necessary. Group bookings during Marhc, April and May can be rebooked for any time in the next 10 months.
Any advance purchase reservation for March, April or May can be rebooked for use in the next 10 months at no charge.
Williamsburg Hotel
These changes impact many independent hotels as well, such as the Williamsburg Hotel. Guests can change or cancel reservations for any pre-booked dates free of charge through the reservations team at the Williamsburg Hotel.
Wyndham Hotels
Guests of Wyndham's hotels with new or existing bookings made directly with the hotel through May 31, 2020 will have all cancellation or change fees waives as long as the request is received at least 24 hours before arrival.
For new or existing direct bookings with arrivals after May 31, 2020, Wyndham properties will accommodate non-cancellable rate reservation changes provided 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.
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.