As the coronavirus continues to spread, more and more companies are unveiling plans to deal with the uncertainty surrounding global travel. Dozens of airlines have. Many airlines are waiving cancellation fees, and now leading hospitality chains are following suit. Here are the latest updates on hotel cancellation policies during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Current Hotel Cancellation Policies
Accor
Travelers with reservations in China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Macau, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Taiwan can cancel without penalty through March 21, 2020.
Best Western
No cancellation policy yet. The chain did announce that Best Western Rewards members will retain their current status through 2021, regardless of reaching the necessary qualifications.
Caesars
No cancellation policy for their Macau property yet.
Choice
Choice Hotels is waiving cancellation fees for anyone traveling to a U.S. or Canadian property from China. It will also waive cancellation fees for any reservations at Chinese properties due to COVID-19.
Hilton
A Hilton statement confirms modifications to cancellation waivers for those traveling to (or through) China, Israel, Italy, Saudi Arabia, or South Korea. The group also says that Hilton Honors members from those regions will maintain their membership status through 2021, of reaching the necessary qualifications
Hyatt
Hyatt will waive cancellation fees for customers with reservations in China, Italy, Japan, or South Korea through March 31, 2020. This waiver also applies to customers residing in those regions with reservations at any Hyatt property worldwide.
Hyatt is also making accommodations to World of Hyatt members with Advance Purchase Rate reservations. Those members can receive 10,000 World of Hyatt rewards points as compensation for their lost reservation.
IHG
InterContinental Hotels is waiving cancellation fees for those traveling to/from China, Hong Kong, Italy, Macau, South Korea, or Taiwan.
Marriott
Marriott is waiving cancellation fees through March 31, 2020, for those traveling to/from the following locations:
| Australia | Bangladesh | Bhutan |
| Cambodia | China | Fiji |
| French Polynesia | Hong Kong | India |
| Indonesia | Japan | Malaysia |
| Maldives | Myanmar | Nepal |
| New Caledonia | New Zealand | Philippines |
| Samoa | Singapore | South Korea |
| Sri Lanka | Thailand | Vietnam |
Those who live in China, Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan and are Marriott Bonvoy members will have their elite status extended through February 2022.
MGM
No cancellation policy for their worldwide yet.
Radisson
Radisson is waiving cancellation fees for reservations through April 30, 2020, for select travelers. This waiver extends to those traveling to or originating from China, Italy, Iran, Japan, or South Korea.
Wyndham
Cancellation and change fees are waived through March 31, 2020, for those traveling to/from China, Italy, or South Korea. Wyndham Rewards members in the Pacific Rim will maintain their elite status through 2021.
How to Protect Yourself from Future Travel Emergencies
Predicting future outbreaks and emergencies is impossible. Fortunately, trip cancellation insurance protects credit cardholders from a variety of emergencies. Covered events include:
- Illness, injury, or death of the cardholder, traveling companion, or a cardholder’s immediate family member
- Jury duty or court subpoena
- Terrorist attacks or flight hijackings
- Severe weather resulting in the cancellation of the flight or trip
- Financial insolvency of a company directly affecting the trip
Trip cancellation can also protect against pathogens, such as COVID-19.
While not all credit cards come with trip cancellation insurance, there are several that do offer this protection. These cards typically charge an annual fee but provide greater peace of mind when making travel bookings. Some examples of cards that offer these protections are the Bank of America Premium Rewards, as well as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred.
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