Hotels.com Refunds and Cancellations Explained

If you're planning a trip and booking with Hotels.com, knowing their return and refund policies is important if your travel plans change. Whether you travel often or are booking for the first time, being familiar with how Hotels.com handles cancellations, changes, and refunds can help you avoid unnecessary stress and costs. Hotels.com provides flexible refund options and simple cancellation procedures, but remember certain key points before modifying a reservation. This article details Hotels.com’s cancellation policy, typical refund times, how to change bookings, and what to do if your plans are disrupted.

What Is Hotels.com’s Official Cancellation Policy?

Hotels.com provides flexible cancellation options for many of its bookings, depending on the property and room type selected. While some reservations are fully refundable, others may offer partial refunds, credit vouchers, or be entirely non-refundable. The specific policy for each booking is shown clearly before you confirm your reservation.

It’s important to always check the cancellation terms before finalizing a booking to ensure you’re aware of the conditions—especially if your travel dates aren’t firm.

How Can I Cancel a Reservation Made Through Hotels.com?

Canceling a reservation on Hotels.com is simple and can be done through their website or mobile app. Here’s how:

• Log into your Hotels.com account.
• Go to “Your Bookings” or the “Itinerary” section.
• Select the reservation you want to cancel.
• Follow the prompts to cancel your booking.

You’ll receive a confirmation email once the cancellation is complete. If your booking is eligible for a refund, it will be processed accordingly.

Does Hotels.com Charge Any Fees for Reservation Changes or Cancellations?

Hotels.com itself does not charge a cancellation fee, but the hotel or vacation rental provider might. Some properties impose penalties for changes made after a certain date or time, while others allow free cancellations up to 24–48 hours before check-in.

Always review the property’s individual policy to avoid unexpected charges. If you book a non-refundable rate, cancellation may result in no refund at all.

What Are the Refund Policies for Hotels.com Reservations?

Refund policies on Hotels.com depend on the payment method and the type of booking:

• Credit/Debit Card Payments: Refunds are typically processed within 24 hours. After that, your bank may take up to 7 days to post the amount to your account and up to two billing cycles to appear on your statement.
• Gift Card Payments: A new gift card with the refunded amount is sent to your email within 4 hours after processing.

For small remaining balances (usually under $10), you may be eligible for a cash refund by emailing: [email protected].

Non-refundable bookings are not eligible for any refund, even if canceled.

How Long Does It Take to Receive a Refund from Hotels.com?

Once Hotels.com initiates a refund:

• For card payments, it typically takes 24 hours to process the refund on their end.
• Your bank or credit card provider may take up to 7 business days to deposit the funds into your account.
• In some cases, it may take up to two billing cycles for the credit to appear on your statement.

If more than 7 days pass and you haven’t received the refund, contact your bank or card issuer directly for an update.

Can You Exchange or Rebook a Reservation on Hotels.com?

Hotels.com does not offer direct exchanges. If you need to change your booking, you will need to:

• Cancel your existing reservation (if it's refundable).
• Rebook your stay with the new dates or location.

If your original reservation is non-refundable, canceling it will result in a loss of payment. In some cases, a credit voucher may be issued instead of a cash refund.

How to Change Your Hotels.com Reservation Without Cancelling It?

If your reservation allows for changes, you can adjust dates or guest details without canceling. Follow these steps:

• Log into your Hotels.com account.
• Go to “Your Bookings” and select the reservation.
• If eligible, you’ll see the option to “Change Reservation.”
• Make your changes and confirm.

If no change option is available, you’ll need to cancel and rebook based on availability and refund conditions.

What Happens If Your Hotels.com Booking Is Cancelled by the Hotel or Host?

If the hotel or host cancels your reservation, Hotels.com will typically help you find alternative accommodations at no extra charge. In most cases, you will be offered:

• A full refund
• A credit voucher
• Assistance in rebooking a similar property

Reach out to Hotels.com support promptly if your booking is unexpectedly canceled by the property.

How Do I Contact Hotels.com Customer Service for Support?

If you have issues with your reservation, refund, or cancellation, Hotels.com offers several ways to get in touch:

• Phone Numbers: 1-800-807-6641 or 1-417-521-0845
• Gift Card Refunds: [email protected]
• Website Support: Visit the “Help” section on www.hotels.com

Live chat and email support are also available through the site for quick resolutions.

Conclusion

The Hotels.com return policy is generally traveler-friendly, offering options like full or partial refunds, credit vouchers, and simple cancellation tools. To avoid any issues, make sure to review the terms of your booking, verify if it's eligible for a refund, and act quickly if your plans change. Always check the cancellation window and refund type before confirming your reservation. If anything’s unclear, reach out to Hotels.com support.

Whether you're booking a last-minute trip or planning a longer vacation, being informed about the return policy ahead of time lets you make choices with greater ease and flexibility.