Changing a non-changable/refundable booking?

[Aggi]

I made a one night booking for Darwin hilton when the 40% off sale was on recently so the booking was non-cancellable/changable. I've now had to change my travel date from June 2016 to March 2017 so was wondering what my chances of being able to change the booking date is and whether anyone has had any luck in doing this. I called Hilton and they said no. The rates in March are lower than what i paid so I was hoping they could do it as a goodwill gesture (i'm HHonours Diamond).
Otherwise could I give the room booking away to someone else rather than it going to waste?

 

[RooFlyer]

Try calling or e-mailing the hotel you are booked at. When I booked an Accor hotel for several stays on a very cheap, non changeable, non refundable rate and immediately realised that I'd not changed the month for the second booking, I called Accor reservations who said they couldn't change, but I should e-mail the hotel directly. I did and they changed the booking . Mind you, this was in minutes of my original booking.

 

[eric2011]

The terms and conditions for cancellations are pretty clear. Sometimes they will make an alteration a few days either side as a goodwill gesture, but fairs fair, not 8 or 9 months. I think that's expecting a bit much and cant really be put down to a goodwill gesture.

Someone else could in theory checkin using your name but they may be asked for ID and certainly they will need to present a credit card which will have a different name.

Risky but anything is possible

 

[JohnK]

There have been reports on AFF where non-cancellable rates have been changed by the hotel. Not a featured henefit and it is handled on a case by case basis. Worth sending email to hotel.

Someone else could in theory checkin using your name but they may be asked for ID and certainly they will need to present a credit card which will have a different name.

Risky but anything is possible

You can add the name of a second person to the booking (relative, friend or total stranger) and mention that person will arrive first and be allowed to check-in. You don't bother turning up and hotel does not need to know.

Nothing illegal in that by the way.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I made a one night booking for Darwin hilton when the 40% off sale was on recently so the booking was non-cancellable/changable. I've now had to change my travel date from June 2016 to March 2017 so was wondering what my chances of being able to change the booking date is and whether anyone has had any luck in doing this. I called Hilton and they said no. The rates in March are lower than what i paid so I was hoping they could do it as a goodwill gesture (i'm HHonours Diamond).
Otherwise could I give the room booking away to someone else rather than it going to waste?

I found the staff at H-DRW to be actually very good. I stayed 6 nights recently and it was an absolute botch (the perpetrator being moi). I'd booked Hilton and DT nights, but due to an unusually large (for me) amount of luggage I decided to stay just at Hilton, so all nights ended up being separate bookings. I also had to add a night at the beginning of the stay and cancel the last night (which was later re-added). The rates were promo (but flexible) rates but the staff kept the promo rate (circa $130) in lieu of the then current rate (circa $450).......twice! To top it all off, my client wanted to pay rather than me and did so through a travel agent, yet I still gained the stays/points/nights! (I hate it when clients want to become involved in airfare and hotel bookings.......they really are clueless at times).

So all in all.........I can't speak highly enough of the lovely front desk manager who managed to do that, refrain from throwing a stapler at me and still smile and be polite!

 

[JohnK]

Sorry to hijack this thread but can someone please check something for me?

I have a booking for LAX Hilton day rate for tomorrow and I just cancelled the reservation as I won't be there. This is the cancellation policy.

Cancellation Policy



If you wish to cancel, please do so 1 day prior to arrival to avoid cancellation penalties.

It is now Friday 13 May 2016 at 5:00pm in LAX. The reservation is for Saturday 14 May 2016 at 9:00am. Have I cancelled 1 day prior? Thoughts?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Sorry to hijack this thread but can someone please check something for me?

I have a booking for LAX Hilton day rate for tomorrow and I just cancelled the reservation as I won't be there. This is the cancellation policy.


It is now Friday 13 May 2016 at 5:00pm in LAX. The reservation is for Saturday 14 May 2016 at 9:00am. Have I cancelled 1 day prior? Thoughts?

I guess it will depend on the Ts&Cs as to what they class as "1 day". You may be fine, or maybe they expect a 24 hr notice. Let us know how you get on. (BTW, a lot has to do with the hotel as well. H-CNS has told me they would assess the requirement on an individual basis, which I've taken to mean they'd look at No. of stays taken and how often it's occurred)

 

[JohnK]

I guess it will depend on the Ts&Cs as to what they class as "1 day". You may be fine, or maybe they expect a 24 hr notice. Let us know how you get on. (BTW, a lot has to do with the hotel as well. H-CNS has told me they would assess the requirement on an individual basis, which I've taken to mean they'd look at No. of stays taken and how often it's occurred)

Cancellation has come through. No mention that they have charged any money. Is it because it is a day rate that is a refundable rate? Not that fussed just trying to salvage something from the wreck that is today.

 

[Duffa]

HH refunded my non-cancellable booking for Melbourne Grand Prix in March this year.
I had booked 9 months earlier and then Bernie changed the dates of the race ( as is his whim)
They offered to change my dates to the race day but the rates had trebled so I asked for a refund and got it.
Very happy - I'm HH Gold free with Citi prestige

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Not that fussed just trying to salvage something from the wreck that is today.

JohnK.....I'm not sure if you've elaborated on that, but I sincerely hope that wreck is manageable?

 

[burmans]

JohnK.....I'm not sure if you've elaborated on that, but I sincerely hope that wreck is manageable?

There's a 14 page thread that elaborates in it!

 

[kermatu]

I have been able to change or cancel supposedly non-refundable stays at both Hiltons and Accor hotels. Not guaranteed but making direct contact with the hotel is worth a shot. Changes are easier; complete refunds less so - but in my case I had never been charged so the hotel had no hassle cancelling.

 

[JohnK]

JohnK.....I'm not sure if you've elaborated on that, but I sincerely hope that wreck is manageable?

It's manageable. Still waiting to see if credit card gets charged.