Hotels.com current cancellation and refund policy

vusys1

Hi All
just after clarity or interpretation of their refunds policy. So I booked a package to New York due to depart on the 4th of December, at present no UK nationals are allowed into the USA so I have spoken to Hotels.com r.e the options and they advised that I would get a full refund for the transfer, a credit note for the flights and a refund for the hotel minus a property fee of a the first nights rate plus taxes and fees If I called back a week before departure to cancel.
The flight has also changed from departing from 20:05pm to 10:05am (would this have a baring on cancellation/refund?)
After looking at the forum no issue with the voucher for flights as I would look to travel again, its the hotel refunds that I would like some advice on if possible.
So on the Hotels.com website they advise the following  

What is the Hotels.com cancellation and refund policy?

This will depend on the property you’ve booked, when you booked it and your stay dates:

1. If you’ve booked a stay with free cancellation that you need to cancel, you’ll be refunded the total amount you paid to your original form of payment. See how to cancel below.
2. If you’ve made a non-refundable booking and would like to change or cancel it;

1. No cancellation fee will apply if your booking is in a destination that is considered inaccessible. In that case, we’ll offer you either a full refund or a hotel voucher to be used on our selection of hotel choices. However, you must cancel at least 24hrs before your arrival date.
2. Standard cancellation policy will apply if the destination is considered open for travel and you have chosen to change or cancel your booking for other reasons.

Is my Hotel considered inaccessible if I am not allowed into the USA?  I am thinking no as it is still open and US residents can stay etc.

My Itinerary states the following r.e hotel cancellation, so if I cancel on the 2nd of Dec I would only have to pay £19.22p fee instead of the nightly rate as advised by Hotels.com?
Important Hotel Information Although Hotels.com does not charge a fee to change or cancel your booking, Hotel St. James may still charge a fee in accordance with its own rules & regulations
Cancellations or changes made before 18:00 (Eastern Standard Time (US & Canada)) on 2 Dec 2020 or no-shows are subject to a £19.22 property fee. Cancellations or changes made after 18:00 (Eastern Standard Time (US & Canada)) on 2 Dec 2020 or no-shows are subject to a property fee equal to the first nights rate plus taxes and fees.
Prices and hotel availability are not guaranteed until full payment is received. If you would like to book multiple rooms, you must use a different name for each room. Otherwise, the duplicate reservation will be canceled by the hotel. 

Any advice would be appreciated, many thanks.

Westin

This
"Standard cancellation policy will apply if the destination is considered open for travel and you have chosen to change or cancel your booking for other reasons." - and this -
"Cancellations or changes made before 18:00 (Eastern Standard Time (US & Canada)) on 2 Dec 2020 or no-shows are subject to a £19.22 property fee. Cancellations or changes made after 18:00 (Eastern Standard Time (US & Canada)) on 2 Dec 2020 or no-shows are subject to a property fee equal to the first nights rate plus taxes and fees".

vusys1

Quick update, so called on the 2nd to cancel etc, they advised I would receive a full refund for the hotel and credit note for the flights. Refund was received on the same day and an email confirming credit note reference to be used on future flight booking. 

goliaph

thanks for info really helped