If you are pending a hotel reservation, this interests you.
In these uncertain times when The pandemic caused by the coronavirus advances in Europe and we remain quiet at home due to the state of alarm (and its consequent limitation of freedom of movement), it seems that traveling is not a priority, but knowing what will happen with those trips that we had already planned to make. For this reason, we have collected the exceptional policy of changes and cancellations due to Covid-19 announced by the main world hotel chains.
BARCELO HOTELS
The hotel division of the Barceló Group has been quick to manage this global health crisis and has long since posted a poster on its website "Because plans change. Reservations 100% cancellable."
They refer to the guidelines of the World Health Organization and the protocols of the health authorities, but also emphasize that your guests come first. For this reason, although they claim to be offering all their services normally, they allow –regardless of whether the origin or destination coincides with the areas affected by the coronavirus– cancellation of all reservations with flexible rates (those that are not prepaid and/or non-refundable), as long as this is done "up to 24 hours before arrival at the hotel and with departure until April 30, 2020".
Regarding prepaid and/or non-refundable rates, in all Barceló Hotel Group hotels will have a 'flexible' cancellation guarantee: You will be reimbursed the full amount, if you cancel a reservation with departure until April 26, 2020, charging you only the management fees (€30 for hotels in Europe, North Africa and the United Arab Emirates; and $50 for hotels in Latin America). The latter will not apply in cases of force majeure caused by Covid-19.
Furthermore, except in exceptional cases, You will not need to present any kind of proof.
H10 HOTELS
They explain from the H10 Hotels group that, to facilitate flexibility, they have eliminated their 'Non-Refundable' rate and thus offer users "new promotional rates that allow modify the dates of the trip and even cancel it at no cost".
In addition, the company, which has more than 65 hotels in 21 destinations, claims to have increased cleaning and disinfection both in the rooms and in the common areas of all its establishments.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL
The powerful hotel chain Marriott International, which includes, among many others, the brands W Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, AC Hotels, Sheraton and ST. Regis, has launched on March 13 on the company's website a concise message from its president and CEO, Arne Sorenson: ** "we are going to take care of our guests and associates" in the face of the pandemic. **
In general terms, for guests with individual reservations, including those with prepaid rates (which are usually more restrictive), changes or cancellations will be allowed free of charge up to 24 hours before arrival (provided they are made before April 30, 2020). The same measures will also apply to new reservations made until April 30.
Regarding their membership, they are making your Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs more flexible to make planning for future travel easier: Points expiration has been paused until August 31, 2020, Suite Night Awards (SNA) and Free Night Awards have been extended until December 31, 2021 (FNA) that expire this year can be used until January 31, 2021.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) acknowledges the "continuing and growing uncertainty" caused by the coronavirus (Covid-19) and announces on its website that No charges will apply for cancellation of reservations for stays between March 9, 2020 and April 30 of 2020 – whether they are existing or new – in their hotels around the world. Let us remember that hotel brands such as Holiday Inn, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza and Kimpton belong to the company, among many others.
They also warn that the client must contact travel agents and online platforms (Booking.com, Expedia, et.), in case the reservation has been made through these channels, since although IHG has communicated this new cancellation policy, they should consult the terms and conditions of these other companies.
Also, IHG Rewards Club members will get benefits when planning future trips, since during this year the requirements to obtain the Elite category (nights or points) will be reduced by 25% or even more.
NH HOTEL GROUP
The brand, belonging to the Minor Hotels Group, has sent this statement: “Due to the uncertainty of the situation, we are providing flexibility on all reservations and even more so in the scenarios of greater force. Also, we have arranged a customer service to solve doubts through the email address [email protected]”.
MELIÁ HOTELS INTERNATIONAL
Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, CEO and Executive Vice President of Meliá Hotels International, has communicated through a letter signed in his own handwriting that the company is updating its policy for "provide customers with the greatest flexibility possible during these difficult times.” He explains that the measures, taken in these uncertain times, are intended to ensure that trips can be planned with the peace of mind that reservations can be changed or cancelled.
All fares that are currently on sale may be canceled (between one and seven days before the date of arrival) at no cost, for reservations made from today (March 19) and until March 31, 2020. Neither will there be an economic penalty for reservations made between March 2 and March 31st.
Regarding individual reservations made before March 2, Meliá Hotels International invites you to visit its website to obtain more information about it, such as knowing the cases in which guests can postpone their arrival date at the hotel reserved keeping the same terms and conditions or accepting the payment of any difference in fare possible.
OTHER COMPANIES
BYHOURS, the online platform and mobile APP that allows you to book micro-stays (between three and 12 hours) in hotels on five continents, has announced that 100% of cancellations in your application will be free, "to guarantee the safety of people", in the words of Guillermo Gaspart, its CEO and founder.
With the aim of contributing to the collective effort that all of society is making in these difficult times, Vincci Hotels has communicated the gradual temporary closure of all its establishments . They urge people who want to change or cancel a reservation to contact the hotel where they have made it or to consult the special conditions caused by Covid-19 on their website.
For its part, in general terms, reservations for accommodations and Airbnb experiences made until March 14, 2020 (for stays between that date and April 14, 2020), may be canceled before arrival and travelers will receive a full refund; hosts can also do it without charges and without your Superhost status being affected. Additionally, the platform will refund all applicable service fees for eligible cancellations.
In contrast, its force majeure policy will not cover bookings for Airbnb accommodations and experiences made through March 14, 2020 with a check-in date after April 14, 2020; Neither are those made after March 14. So that the cancellation policy applied will be the usual (in both cases, unless the traveler or the host has contracted Covid-19).
OTHER TYPES OF MEASURES
"Given this exceptional and extremely serious moment that forces us to ensure the health of our clients and that of all Paradores workers", Paradores de Turismo in Spain has announced that will keep all its establishments closed.
It has also closed (since March 11 and for 15 days) as a measure of "responsibility, generosity and solidarity" three of its hotels in Madrid Room Mate Group, whose clients will be diverted to the rest of the hotels of the Kike Sarasola company that remain open normally (Room Mate Alba, Room Mate Óscar and Room Mate Alicia).
In addition, Sarasola has offered in the Community of Madrid some of its hotels to accommodate mild coronavirus patients and turn them into temporary hospitals. The hotel chains Ilunion Hotels, Palladium Hotel Group and Soho Boutique Hotels have also joined this offer.