I'm a hotel manager, I work for an airline. I can tell you that the "24-hour cancellation policy" is bullshit

I've gotten a dozen angry DMs in the past 2 weeks from people who are angry their hotels won't refund them for COVID related cancellations. <br><br>Here's the thing: you can usually get a full refund or credit for a stay (if you have travel credits, you can usually use them on flights instead). Most hotels won't tell you this, and will only give you the 12PM or 24 hour cancellation policy. You usually need to ask. <br><br>It doesn't matter how much your stay costs. I've done it for stays up to $20,000/night. <br><br>Some airlines (my airline included) will give full refunds for cancellations, change fees waived, within 24 hours of booking. Again, you usually need to ask.<br><br>You usually need to email or call within 2-3 hours of making your booking. If you wait too long, you can't do it anymore. <br><br>You usually need to ask when you book. You need to be explicit. "I would like to cancel without penalty within 24 hours, even if the hotel/airline does not provide that."<br><br>It doesn't matter what the hotel/airline website says, this is always available. In fact, if you read the fine print of most hotel/airline contracts, they always mention that you can cancel without penalty within 24 hours, they just don't publicize it.<br><br>This is usually only for bookings made directly through the airline/hotel website. If you book through Booking.com, Expedia, Priceline, etc. they usually don't have this provision, and they won't give you a refund if the hotel/airline won't. <br><br>If you booked through a travel agent, they might not have this provision, but they can usually try to get you a refund or credit.<br><br>This is the same for credit cards, usually they will refund any travel related charges within 24 hours, but again you need to ask. <br><br>It's also important to note that if the airline/hotel cancels on you (which they have been doing a lot of the past couple weeks), you will usually get a full refund or credit, no questions asked. <br><br>Hope this helps!