The annual award booking that often takes the most effort is the New Years flight and hotel. The reason is because hotels are often in high demand and airlines either have limited availability or are waiting for later in the year to release the award availability.

Last year I booked two awards that are usually difficult to book, way more difficult to book than the 100,000 SkyMiles award in Business Class to Tokyo is now (yeah, I said 100,000 SkyMiles in case you missed it). The first one was on Air France using Delta SkyMiles. I was able to cancel that award due to my Delta Platinum status that I earned the hard way. Platinum members, Diamond members, and now Delta 360 members have the ability to book awards and redeposit the miles.

Now the second award trip needs to be cancelled and I feel terrible. Not only am I giving up three award seats during prime time New Years travel season, but I’m giving up a confirmed Hyatt Suite for 5 nights over New Years. This is peak travel season and I had it on lock. But this is the time I’m thankful for having Hyatt Diamond status and Delta Platinum status.

Cancelling Delta Tickets

The award tickets were a little easier to cancel than the Hyatt suite reservation. But still not an easy thing to do. I had to cancel three economy comfort seats during prime time travel between Christmas and New Years. Thankfully, I was able to redeposit the miles.

Cancelling Hyatt Suite Reservation

The worst part was having to cancel a confirmed suite in a Hyatt for five nights. Granted, it was 115,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points I didn’t have to spend, but we’d miss out on a great experience. It was nice to see them go back into my account though.

Bottom Line

Airline and hotel awards can come with significant redeposit fees, and added fees during peak times. But if you have top tier elite status with airlines and hotels, like Delta Platinum status or United Platinum status, you’ll be able to cancel and redeposit the award at little to no cost should you have to.

Have you ever had to cancel one of those really difficult to book awards? What one was it and did you replace it with anything?

Related Posts

• Lots Of Delta Low Award Availability To Tokyo For New Years
• Earning Delta Platinum Elite Status The Easy Way
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• 9 Stays And Marriott Platinum Status Has Arrived
• Hyatt Diamond Status In Only 12 Nights
• I just earned Hyatt Diamond into 2015, now what?

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