Cancelling a non-cancellable booking and getting a refund - your experience?

[NZflygirl]

I'm an idiot and double booked accommodation. I just booked maybe 30mins ago. It's a non-cancellable booking. I've called through to the Accor people and they've said it's at the discretion of the hotel in question. I've spoken to them and apparently the credit card hasn't been charged on their end yet so they're going to go ahead and cancel it. They said if the credit card had been charged it would be a bit more complicated. So I'll wait and see. Fingers crossed!!

But anyway, airlines seem to have a cancellation policy same day or 24hrs. Does anyone know if Accor has a similar policy or how far out have you been able to cancel a noncancellable booking?

Both bookings were non-cancellable - urgh! It's afternoon here and I haven't eaten today so I suspect that has something to do with dumb decisions! I am really happy though it sounds like I won't be charged. Just wondering how long this period extends out to, or whether anyone has been able to cancel within a 24hr period. Booking is for Nov 15 so it's getting close.

I've received the cancellation email now. Just need to watch the credit card over the next couple of days, there is a charge that's appeared but not yet processed.

Personally I think it would be great if hotels had a cancellation policy like airlines for error bookings, like even within a 12 hr window.

 

[Ktan89]

Not all airlines have that policy but I think any airline that flies to the US is required to give a 24hour free cancellation window on any fare type.

 

[RealtimeY]

I believe the Marriott website offers a 24 hour grace period.

Ethics aside, if I were you I probably would have blocked my card as soon as I realised my mistake. Accor hotels can be a bit "lazy" in processing the payment when you book, but I've had one hotel process the payment the moment I called up asking if I could amend my booking. (They refused)