With
more destinations throughout the world declaring states of emergency due
to the coronavirus' spread, several hotel companies have further eased
their cancellation policies as well as extended loyalty programme expirations for certain members. All continue to monitor the situation
and will provide updates as it evolves.
Accor will accept
cancellations without penalties for individual travelers and groups for
any guest travelling to Accor-branded properties in mainland China, Hong
Kong, Macau, Taiwan, South Korea, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well
as for any guest traveling from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or South Korea to any Accor property worldwide until 31 March 2022,
regardless of booking channel, according to a company spokesperson.
Best
Western Hotels & Resorts does not have a global cancellation policy
related to the virus outbreak, but it has asked its independently owned
and operated hotels to "exercise flexibility and understanding" when
handling cancellation requests, according to a company spokesperson.
However, Best Western Rewards members globally can maintain their
current status through 31 January 2022 without needing to fulfill the
necessary qualifications. In addition, BWR members who suffered a
downgrade at the end of 2019 as a result of restricted travel will be
levelled up to their previous tier and will maintain that status through 31 January 2022.
Choice Hotels has extended penalty-free
cancellations through 31 March 2020 for anyone travelling from China to
a US or Canadian hotel, and for anyone requiring cancellation of
upcoming reservations at any property based in China if they are no
longer travelling due to the concern around Covid-19, according to a
company spokesperson.
Hilton Worldwide has modified cancellation
waivers in place for the following regions: guests traveling to, through, or from Italy with stays through 8 March; and for guests traveling to,
through, or from China, South Korea, or Saudi Arabia with stays through 31 March, according to a company spokesperson. Hilton Honors members
living in mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Taiwan whose membership
tiers would be otherwise downgraded by 31 March 2020 due to failure to
meet elite membership qualifications in 2019 will have those
memberships extended until 31 March 2021. Members from those
destinations who qualified in 2019 for an upgrade to or to maintain
their current elite membership status in 2020 will have their elite
membership status extended to 31 March 2022. And for members in those
four destinations, no Hilton Honors points will expire through 31 December 2020.
Hyatt Hotels is waiving cancellation fees for stays
through 31 March 2020 for guests residing in Greater China, South
Korea, Japan and Italy with reservations at Hyatt hotels globally, and
for guests with reservations at Hyatt hotels in those four locales,
according to a company spokesperson. For World of Hyatt members residing
in the Asia-Pacific region, qualifying Discoverist, Explorist and
Globalist members will have a new tier expiration date of 28 February 2022
to maintain their elite status and benefits, and currently valid suite
upgrade awards, club access awards and free night awards that expire in
2020 for qualifying members will be extended through 31 December 2021. The
company is currently evaluating tier and benefit extensions for global
members who travel frequently to the Asia-Pacific region.
InterContinental
Hotels Group will waive change and cancellation fees for guests
traveling to or from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, South
Korea and Italy through 31 March 2020 for reservations booked directly
with the hotel through IHG.com, the IHG app, or the company's central
reservations centre, according to a company spokesperson. (Update 9 March: IHG
has extended expiration dates for all Rewards Club members who live in
mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan; the new dates vary by
membership category and status.)
Langham Hospitality Group
will provide a full refund and waive all related fees on direct booking
cancellations for all travellers from or transiting through mainland
China, South Korea, Iran and Italy for stays up to and including 31 March 2020, according to a company spokesperson.
Marriott
International is waiving cancellation fees for hotel stays through 31 March
2020 for guests travelling to or from the following locations:
mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, French
Polynesia, the Maldives, India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh,
Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia,
the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia and Samoa,
as well as Italy, according to its latest statement related to the
virus. The company also is extending elite status, including benefits
earned in 2019, through February 2022 for Marriott Bonvoy members who
live in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, according to a
company spokesperson.
Peninsula Hotels has extended its cancellation fee waiver to all properties worldwide for bookings through 30 April, according to a company spokesperson. The company does not provide a loyalty programme.
Radisson
Hotel Group is extending its cancellation policy for the following
reservations booked with a check-in date through 30 April 2020: guests
with room reservations in any of Radisson's hotels in China, South
Korea, Japan, Iran and northern Italy, as well as for guests originating
from those regions to any Radisson hotel globally, according to the
latest information available on its website. For arrivals after 30 April, normal cancellation fees apply.
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
will waive cancellation charges regardless of booking channel for
bookings made prior to 1 March 2020 for guests who had planned to
travel from Greater China, Korea, Japan, Italy, Iran and Saudi Arabia to
any Shangri-La hotel globally on or before 31 March 2020, according to
a company spokesperson. In addition, the company will extend Golden
Circle loyalty programme tier status and benefits for Diamond and Jade
members through 31 December 2021.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts guests
travelling to or from Greater China, South Korea, or Italy with bookings
for stays in a Wyndham hotel through 31 March 2020 will have their
cancellation or change fees waived, according to a company spokesperson.
The company also is extending current Wyndham Reward members' status for
all Gold, Platinum and Diamond members from Greater China and the
Southeast Asia and Pacific Rim regions through the end of 2021.