Together with Hilton imposition of 48-hour cancellation policies and Marriott, it seemed a sure bet that InterContinental Hotels Group along with big chains would follow suit. After all, the travel industry is a me-too organization when it comes to competitors’ policies revenues increase, even if they are at the expense of some customer goodwill.
Therefore it came to make sure — when InterContinental standardized its cancellation policy across most of its multiple brands not in two days, such as Marriott and Hilton, but in a more consumer-friendly 24 hours.
There will be some regional exceptions, most notably in China, where travelers confront a variety of cancellation deadlines, ranging to nine days prior to check-in. Another exception will probably be hotels operating under the Kimpton brand, which will keep their current rule.
It’s a small thing, in the scheme of things. But there’s so information when it comes to traveling providers’ treatment of the customers that even a modest movement against the tide is well worth noting and, yes, deserving of travelers’ gratitude.
Thank you, IHG!
Reader Reality Check
On a scale of 1 to 10, how important to you is a hotel chain’s cancellation policy?