Booking.com cancellation fees

sarahduagnim

We have a break in Paris booked in May. I didn't realise at the time I booked but I have a no-cancellation clause. I have emailed to see if this stills stands in the current situation. They said yes it does. I will still have to pay if we are not allowed to travel or if Paris is still in lockdown. Does this sound correct? Surely there must be some sort of special circumstances clause? Thanks 

Westin

If you selected and booked the slightly more expensive but flexible rate, conditions normally allow cancellation up to a certain period before arrival to cancel and get a refund.

If you selected and booked the cheaper non-refundable rate, typically no refund is given. Any loss would be yours or you attempt an insurance claim.  That said many hotels seem to be offering flexibility with these rate at the moment and offering credits or refunds. Ultimately the decision will be down to the hotelier.  Many hotels where restrictions by government authorities on opening/operating force their closure seem to be giving refunds, perhaps because their own operating insurance kicks in. 

To my knowledge at the moment no travel restriction in place for May so unless you booked the flexible, unrestricted rate, you may need to sit on this for now. Keep an eye on FCO travel advisories.

marshall_cockney_fox

Have you approached the hotel or Booking.com? I'd expect the hotel to play hard ball. But booking.com have a policy that in such exceptional events the hotel should refund. I know because I had a similar issue with a hotel in Melbourne. I gave up speaking to them and got booking.com to intervene.

soolin

I was supposed to have gone away to Spain on Tuesday using a hotel booked on booking.com. I just held my nerve and finally on Sunday evening, 72 hours before I was due to check in the hotel cancelled me . 

On Facebook booking.com are saying that the 72 hours is the crucial review point , so I doubt you can do much before then unless hotel will switch dates or help at all as a goodwill gesture.