Starwood just announced a negative change with their hotel cancellation policy across all their properties. Previously at many hotels, they had flexible rates that allowed for a same day cancellation up until 6pm, however they are now moving to a 24 hour cancellation policy, meaning if your plans change last minute, you’ll still be charged for the first night of your stay.

Negative Change to Starwood Preferred Guest Cancellation Policy

Here’s what they posted on Flyertalk:

Effective January 15, 2015, Starwood will implement a change to our room cancellation policy, which will be implemented at all Starwood hotels globally that currently offers a same-day-cancellation policy. After this change takes effect, guests must cancel a reservation as of 6:00 pm local time the day before arrival. This change will impact about 35% of our hotels, which currently allow for same day cancellation without penalty. The majority of Starwood hotels already have a cancellation policy of at least one day prior to arrival or greater.

The minimum room cancellation policy will apply to all new reservations made after January 15, 2015. 

Starwood will be honoring any negotiated contractual rates. Reservations made under contracts will be governed by their negotiated terms. 

Bottom Line

This is a disappointing change as there have been many times where my plans have changed last minute and would need to cancel the same-day but will no longer be able to do this anymore with Starwood. If you are on a corporate negotiated rate which allows for a same day cancellation, there are no changes to that (at least for now).