Get Free Cancellations on Guest House Bookings: If you have booked a hotel through Booking.com and now want to cancel it for any reason, then first of all, you need to understand that the cancellation rules for every hotel and every booking on this platform can be different. This means that what will happen to your booking depends on which hotel you have booked and what kind of rate plan (tariff) you have chosen.
When you book a hotel on Booking.com, only then are you shown the cancellation options on the screen. Apart from this, the confirmation email you get after booking also clearly states what the cancellation policy is.
If the Booking is Non-Refundable
Many times people make “non-refundable” bookings in order to get a hotel at a lower price. This means that even if you change your plan after booking, neither will you get your money back nor will you be able to change the date.
You cannot save money by not going to the hotel as the hotel will charge the full amount.
Example
Suppose you booked a hotel for a 5-day holiday in Goa and it was non-refundable. Later, due to some reason, you are unable to go. In this case, the hotel will not refund your money, even if you do not stay there for a single day.
If Cancellation of Booking is Allowed
Some hotels offer flexible cancellation policy. This means that you can cancel your booking within a certain time limit and get all or part of the money back.
This time limit is set differently by each hotel. For example, one hotel may say that you can cancel up to 24 hours before check-in, while another hotel may keep this limit up to 3 days or a week.
Note
If you cancel the booking within the time limit, most hotels refund your money. But if you cancel after the deadline, the hotel may charge a cancellation fee or keep your advance payment.
Ways to Cancel
Cancelling a booking on Booking.com is easy. You can do it in two ways:
From the Confirmation Email
- Your email contains a link that will take you directly to the cancellation page.
- There you will see the cancellation policy and a cancel button.
From a Booking.com Account
- Login to the Booking.com website or app.
- Go to the “My Bookings” section.
- Select the booking you want to cancel and complete the cancellation process.
Why is a Cancellation Policy Important?
Cancellation policies are important not only for travelers but also for hotel owners and hosts.
For Travelers
- If the policy is flexible, you are assured that your money will not be lost if you change plans.
- You can change plans at the last minute without incurring a huge loss.
For Hoteliers
- The policy determines how many bookings will remain confirmed and how many can be cancelled.
- A flexible policy may attract more guests, but there is a risk that a room may remain vacant if there are last minute cancellations.
- A strict policy may reduce cancellations, but some guests may not book at all.
Flexible vs Strict Policy – Which to Choose?
Flexible Policy
- Use during the off-season or when you are confident that if someone cancels, you will quickly find another guest.
- Example: Hoteliers in hilly areas often keep flexible policies during the rainy season so that more people book.
Strict Policy
- Ideal when your hotel is in a high-demand location and your rooms get filled quickly.
- Example: Hotels in Goa or Shimla have strict policies on the New Year because they know that rooms will sell out easily.
Opt for a Combination Policy
Some hotels also offer options that combine both types of policies. For example:
- A cheaper room at a non-refundable rate.
- A slightly more expensive room at a flexible rate.
This way, guests can choose according to their needs and budget and the hotel also gets different types of customers.
What to Keep in Mind While Booking?
- Read the cancellation policy – don’t just book by looking at the price, also look at the policy.
- Fix your travel date – If your date is not fixed, avoid a non-refundable booking.
- Keep the season in mind – You will get more flexible options during the off-season.
- Take travel insurance – It can help in case of sudden illness or emergency.
Conclusion
Cancelling a hotel on Booking.com depends entirely on your chosen rate plan and the hotel’s policy. So it is very important to read and understand the rules before booking.
A flexible policy is safer for you but may be a little more expensive, while a rigid policy may save you money but may result in losses if you change your plan
