What are standard cancellation rules for hotels?

When booking directly with the hotel, guests usually have 24 hours prior to arrival to cancel a reservation. If a hotel has been booked with an advanced purchase, cancellation policies may vary as the room has already been secured.

When cancelling a room booked with a travel site or booking engine, policies are dependent on the sites. Review the specific policies on the booking page as they may differ from the actual hotel. Some of these sites also offer a free cancellation option, allowing guests to cancel up to a specific date. Confirm this time period before booking as it can sometimes be up to a month before the check-in date.