Editor’s Note: On Sunday, Wynn Resorts announced it was closing Wynn Las Vegas and Encore starting Tuesday, at 6 p.m. to reduce the spread of COVID-19 for an anticipated 2 weeks based on advice from a consultant from the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University Medical Center. The company pledged to pay all full-time employees during the closure.
Wednesday, 3/18/20: Dream Hotel Group cancellation policy added.
On Saturday, MGM Resorts announced on Twitter that it would be temporarily closing spas, salons, nightclubs and day clubs. That was followed on Sunday by the decision to close Las Vegas casinos and hotels. MGM operates Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Luxor Hotel & Casino, New York-New York, Excalibur and Park MGM. Reno Gazette Journal reported that according to a letter sent to employees on Friday, several employees at Luxor tested “presumptive positive” for COVID-19 and layoffs would follow. Outside of Las Vegas, the company announced it would be temporarily closing Empire City Casino in New York, MGM Springfield in Massachusetts and MGM Northfield Park in Ohio. The company is offering a no cancellation fee policy on anything booked before April 30.
On Sunday, Caesars Entertainment suspended all live ticketed entertainment at all properties.
Most major hotel brands have announced they are going to be more flexible due to travel complications as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19). In addition to waiving some cancellation fees, they have also introduced heightened cleaning practices aligned with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations to ease the minds of travelers still checking in.
Marriott
Marriott International President and CEO Arne Sorenson announced today that guests with existing individual reservations, including reservations with pre-paid rates, can change or cancel without a charge up to 24 hours prior to arrival as long as the change or cancellation is made by April 30. For guests making new individual reservations between March 13 and April 30, Marriott is allowing these reservations to be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival date.
Marriott Bonvoy Members are granted even greater flexibility. All point expirations are paused until Aug. 31, 2020. Marriott Bonvoy members with Suite Night Awards (SNAs) expiring on Dec. 31, 2020 will have their certificates extended until Dec. 31, 2021. Members with Free Night Award certificates earned through Marriott credit cards, as an annual Choice Benefit, or through another promotion will be able to redeem certificates through Jan. 31, 2021 if the certificate is set to expire in 2020.
Hilton
Hilton announced on Thursday that the company will waive change fees or offer full refunds in affected regions. All reservations scheduled for arrival before April 30, 2020, can be changed or canceled at no charge up to 24 hours before expected arrival.
Hilton Honors points scheduled to expire between now and May 31, 2020 are paused. The company will make updates to the requirements for earning 2021 tier status and announce in the coming weeks. New reservations made between March 13 and April 30, 2020 can be changed or canceled up to 24 hours prior to arrival with no penalty.
Hyatt
All existing reservations made before March 13, 2020 that are for arrivals between March 14 and April 30, 2020 can be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival. This includes Advance Purchase Rate reservations. Any reservation made between March 13, 2020, and April 30, 2020 – for any future arrival date – can be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival. This includes Advance Purchase Rate reservations.
Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels, which includes Clarion and Quality Inn, announced March 11 that guests from affected areas with reservations at U.S. hotels and guests with reservations at hotels in affected areas would not have to pay cancellation fees. Bookings made before March 10 for travel through the end of April will have a cancellation option and can receive points for future travel.
IHG
The same day, IHG, which includes Kimpton, Intercontinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn, announced that it is waiving all cancellation fees for new and existing hotel bookings at all properties worldwide. It is also making changes to its Gold Elite loyalty program to make it easier to maintain status.
Royal Caribbean Group’s ‘Cruise with Confidence’ initiative allows guests on cruises departing before July 31 to cancel as late as 48 hours prior to sailing.
Dream Hotel Group
On Wednesday, Dream Hotel Group, owner of Dream Nashville, Dream Manhattan and more, updated their cancellation policy for individual bookings new or existing, including those reservations initially booked as non-cancellable.
Bookings made with the property may be re-booked at that same property for a future stay within one year of the original booking date, waiving any modification or cancellation penalties.
Radisson Hotel Group
Radisson Hotel Group extended its cancellation policy for the reservations booked with a check-in date until April 3, 2020 in the following countries: China, South Korea, Japan, Iran and Northern Italy.
If you’d like more information regarding RGH COVID-19 updates, you can visit https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/covid-19
