Travel arrangements are subject to unexpected change. A family emergency, a sickness, problems with the flight, an important work commitment, or another unexpected situation can make traveling impossible. Sadly, a traveler with a non-refundable hotel booking can face one more obstacle the total loss of the funds paid for the hotel room.
For a long time, there was not much that could be done by the traveler who faced the above problems. However, nowadays, travelers have a chance to use the secondary market for travel reservations. If eligible, they can safely sell their unused hotel booking on the Internet.
The Problem With Non-Refundable Hotel Bookings
Non-refundable rates are preferred because they can provide cheaper rates compared to flexible booking systems. Travellers commit themselves to paying in advance in return for a cheaper rate. However, as it goes without saying, there is always a compromise: in case anything changes, it might become hard to get the money refunded.
It is even more irritating when it happens due to an emergency situation.
Consider you book a room in the hotel months in advance as part of a very important trip. Just a few days before leaving, something happens that stops you from traveling. You have not used the room, but you can still end up losing hundreds or thousands of dollars.
The problem here is not in the fact that the hotel room is not worth anything. In most cases, there will be someone else who wants to stay in the hotel room on the same dates. The only problem has been finding a safe way to connect these two people together.
That is what the idea of a secondary travel market is all about.
First, Review Your Hotel Booking Terms
When an emergency happens, the first step should be checking the reservation details carefully. Not every non-refundable booking has exactly the same rules.
Look at the following information:
- Cancellation policy
- Date-change options
- Name-change or guest-change rules
- Transfer restrictions
- Hotel-specific terms
- Booking platform conditions
Certain hotels might allow you to change your booking for a charge. Other hotels might give you credit or switch your booking to other dates if they find your case exceptional. However, it does not hurt asking the hotel about your problem.
It is important to remember that just because one option is available does not mean another won’t be too. In case the booking is still non-refundable and non-transferable, you can try selling it.
An Emergency Should Not Automatically Mean Losing Everything
Life is full of surprises. A traveler cannot always predict when a medical emergency will occur, when something happens with the family or when the weather interferes or any other change of plans takes place.
However, in traditional travel booking systems there is not much flexibility after the payment is made.
It may happen that the traveler has a totally legitimate hotel reservation that he or she is unable to use. On the contrary, some other traveler is willing to make use of it.
In this case there appears an obvious possibility: by providing a secure marketplace it would be possible to facilitate the connection between the seller and the buyer.
Both travelers may find their benefit from the situation.
How Selling an Unused Hotel Reservation Can Help
This whole process revolves around one concept, which states that even an unutilized travel reservation can hold some value for someone else.
In case, let us consider that a person has booked a stay in a hotel for four nights for $800 but due to some kind of an emergency he cannot travel and therefore is unable to get a refund on his reservation. Now instead of losing all of that money, he could list his reservation, provided that it falls under certain criteria, for sale.
Some other person who might require accommodation for those dates can buy the reservation for some price that is mutually agreeable.
However, the important thing here to keep in mind is that the reservation has to fulfill certain criteria both from the point of view of the hotel and the marketplace as well.
It is vital to make sure that the proper verification and transaction process is completed.
Why Security Matters When Reselling Travel Bookings
The act of selling an accommodation booking to a total stranger via social media or messaging poses certain hazards. The traveler may have concerns about payment scams, misinformation, or difficulties in transferring the booking.
This is where an appropriate marketplace comes into play.
Such platforms as Avago Market can provide assistance in developing a special space for travelers looking to buy and sell their unused reservations within the eligibility period. Instead of making attempts to organize all the things independently, travelers may choose to visit a specially created marketplace for their transaction needs.
The idea is to bring more order and security to the process.
When talking about travelers having to forfeit a non-refundable hotel reservation because of an unexpected emergency, it is crucial to note that there is a big difference now.
Steps to Take When You Cannot Use Your Hotel Room
If an emergency prevents you from using a non-refundable hotel booking, acting quickly can improve your options.
1. Contact the Hotel Immediately
Describe the circumstances and inquire about whether there is any wiggle room. The hotel might give an alternative, such as changing dates or issuing credits, even when the initial rate is indicated as non-refundable.
Always obtain written confirmation for any changes made.
2. Check Whether the Booking Can Be Changed or Transferred
Study the terms and conditions of the booking and find out if another person is allowed to use the booking. Terms may differ according to the hotel, booking website, and other factors.
Do not sell or transfer the reservation if it goes against the terms and conditions.
3. Determine How Much Value You Want to Recover
However, you might not need the total recovery for a minimum loss. A competitive pricing of the eligible booking will increase its appeal to other travelers.
Take into account the current room rate, proximity of the check-in date, and destination demand.
4. Use a Secure Marketplace
Avoid sharing unnecessary personal information or arranging risky transactions with unknown individuals. A dedicated platform can provide a more structured way to connect with potential buyers.
This is where Avago Market offers travelers a new option for exploring the secondary market for eligible travel reservations.
5. Complete Any Required Changes Properly
In case of a sale, do this according to the necessary procedures. Ensure that the hotel or booking site accepts the necessary information regarding the guest and the allowed reservations.
The seller and the buyer must be aware of what is actually being sold.
A Better Alternative to Letting a Reservation Go Unused
The development of secondary markets is part of a larger shift in attitudes regarding unused purchases.
It has long been the case that tickets, clothes, electronics, and other goods are often resold due to their value. It is true that travel bookings have always been more difficult than other transactions, in part due to restrictions on transferability based on conditions and policies.
If the traveler is able to transfer his/her reservation under the appropriate conditions, there is no reason why he/she should have but one outcome in which he/she loses everything.
A traveler unable to take a trip might find another traveler who is able to take the hotel room. In doing so, both travelers could potentially profit.
The original traveler would be able to recover at least some funds, while the second traveler would find a room to take. More importantly, an empty hotel room could become useful for another traveler.
Planning for the Unexpected
Everyone who makes a hotel booking makes it without any intentions of emergencies. Yet, it might be helpful to know your options before an issue appears.
When you book a hotel room, you need to understand the difference between flexible and non-refundable rates. Non-refundable rates can look cheaper initially, but later on, the flexibility option may become useful.
In case you have booked a hotel on a non-refundable basis, and an unplanned event occurs that makes you unable to go on the trip, do not rush into the conclusion that your money will be wasted.
First, you need to check the contract terms, and then contact the hotel. If the booking cannot be cancelled but is possible to change or transfer, you should think about the possibility of selling the booking online.
Final Thoughts
Non-refundable hotel reservations might lead to a problematic situation during emergencies where one’s travel plans will be ruined. Until quite recently, there were very few options for travelers other than applying for an exception or suffering the losses.
However, nowadays, the secondary travel markets offer a new perspective. Where it is possible, travelers will have an opportunity to sell an unused hotel reservation on the Internet rather than having the whole cost lost without a trace.
Companies like Avago Market are assisting in the process of introducing a new way of handling unused travel reservations among travelers.
Even in case of an emergency that might change your travel plans, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will lose everything you’ve paid for the hotel room.
