What If I Don't Show Up (No-Show)?
Failing to show up without cancelling properly results in full charges - even for flexible bookings.
Quick Answer
No-show = Full charge
No refund even if booking was refundable
Always cancel properly to avoid charges
Even free cancellation requires actual cancellation
What is a No-Show?
Definition
No-show means:
- You don't arrive at hotel
- You don't check in
- You didn't cancel booking
- Hotel holds room for you
Result: Full charge applied
Not a No-Show
These are OK:
- ✅ Cancelled before deadline (even if 1 hour before)
- ✅ Modified dates properly
- ✅ Hotel agreed to waive
- ✅ Documented emergency (case-by-case)
No-Show Charges
What You're Charged
Typically:
- First night's accommodation
- Or full stay cost
- Plus taxes and fees
- 100% of booking value
Even if:
- Booking was free cancellation
- You had valid reason
- You contacted hotel (but didn't cancel officially)
- You're only few hours late
Why Full Charge?
Hotel's perspective:
- Reserved room for you
- Turned away other guests
- Lost revenue opportunity
- Operational costs incurred
It's in the terms: All bookings include no-show policy
Free Cancellation vs No-Show
Important Distinction
Free cancellation:
- Cancel by deadline: No charge ✓
- Don't cancel at all: Full charge ✗
Example:
Booking: Free cancellation until 2 PM day of arrival
Scenario 1:
Cancel at 1:55 PM: No charge ✓
Scenario 2:
Don't cancel, don't show: Full charge ✗
Scenario 3:
Arrive 3 hours late but didn't cancel:
May be considered no-show ✗
Common Misconception
Wrong: "Free cancellation means I won't be charged if I don't show"
Right: "Free cancellation means no charge IF I actually cancel by the deadline"
You MUST cancel, even 5 minutes before check-in!
How to Avoid No-Show Charges
Always Cancel Properly
Even if:
- Last minute
- Emergency
- Running late
- Change of plans
How to cancel:
- Log into PriceRoom account
- Find booking
- Click "Cancel"
- Confirm cancellation
- Get cancellation confirmation
Or:
- Email us: support@priceroom.co
- Live chat on website
- Call hotel (then confirm with us)
If Running Late
Don't skip cancellation!
If might still arrive:
- Call hotel to inform
- Ask them to hold room
- Provide ETA
- Don't cancel yet
If definitely not coming:
- Cancel immediately
- Get refund if within deadline
- Don't risk no-show charge
Late Arrivals
Arriving After Check-In Time
Most hotels:
- Accept late arrivals
- Hold room if notified
- 24-hour check-in common
Best practice:
- Call hotel if arriving late
- Provide estimated time
- Confirm they'll hold room
- Get staff name
Critical: After midnight may count as no-show if not notified!
Very Late (After Midnight)
Risk of no-show:
- Hotel may release room
- If they couldn't contact you
- If you didn't notify them
Protect yourself:
- Call hotel before midnight
- Confirm late check-in
- Get confirmation number for call
- Email hotel as backup
Special Circumstances
Medical Emergency
If you can't travel due to emergency:
- Cancel booking ASAP
- Contact us immediately
- Provide medical documentation
- We'll work with supplier
- May waive fees on case-by-case basis
Not guaranteed but we'll try to help
Flight Cancellation
If flight cancelled:
- Cancel hotel booking immediately
- Explain situation to us
- Provide proof (airline email)
- May get waiver depending on policy
Don't wait - cancel first, ask for waiver after
Weather/Natural Disaster
Force majeure situations:
- May be covered
- Supplier discretion
- Document everything
- Contact us immediately
We'll advocate but can't guarantee
Travel Restrictions
Border closures, lockdowns:
- Usually grounds for waiver
- Provide official documentation
- Government notices
- Travel advisories
We'll fight for full refund in these cases
Disputing No-Show Charges
Valid Disputes
You may dispute if:
- You did cancel (have proof)
- Hotel error
- System glitch
- Documented emergency
- Hotel agreed to waive
Provide:
- Cancellation confirmation
- Email correspondence
- Call recordings/notes
- Any documentation
Invalid Disputes
Can't dispute if:
- Simply forgot to cancel
- Changed mind
- Found cheaper option
- "Didn't know" about policy
- No documentation
Terms are clear - no-show = charge
If You're Charged
What Happens
Prepaid booking:
- Already charged
- No refund issued
- You forfeit payment
Pay-at-hotel booking:
- Card charged for no-show
- First night or full stay
- Charge appears in 3-7 days
Reviewing Charges
Check:
- Booking terms
- Cancellation deadline
- No-show policy
- What was agreed
If charge seems wrong:
- Contact us immediately
- We'll review
- Check with supplier
- Dispute if warranted
Prevention Tips
Before Booking
✅ Note cancellation deadline
✅ Set calendar reminder
✅ Understand no-show policy
✅ Choose flexible rate if uncertain
✅ Read all terms carefully
During Travel
✅ Cancel ASAP if plans change
✅ Call hotel if running late
✅ Keep confirmation accessible
✅ Save support contact info
✅ Act immediately, don't delay
Managing Uncertainty
If plans uncertain:
- Book refundable rate (costs more but safer)
- Note deadline clearly
- Cancel early if needed
- Don't wait until last minute
Travel Insurance
Coverage
Some policies cover:
- Cancellation for covered reasons
- Medical emergencies
- Flight cancellations
- Trip interruption
Check policy for specifics
Claims Process
If claiming:
- Cancel booking properly
- Get cancellation confirmation
- Document reason
- File insurance claim
- Provide all documentation
Insurance pays you, not us
Multiple Rooms
Group Bookings
If some rooms no-show:
- Each room charged separately
- Only no-show rooms charged
- Others checked in normally
Communicate: Tell hotel if fewer guests coming
FAQ
Q: I called hotel to cancel - am I OK? A: No! Must cancel through PriceRoom. Hotel can't cancel bookings in our system.
Q: What if I'm only 2 hours late? A: Call hotel to inform. But without cancellation, they can charge.
Q: Can I get partial refund for no-show? A: Rarely. No-show usually means full charge.
Q: What if emergency? A: Cancel first, then contact us with documentation. We'll try to help.
Q: Is no-show policy legal? A: Yes, standard industry practice. Agreed to at booking.
Q: Can hotel waive no-show fee? A: Possibly, at their discretion. Contact us to ask supplier.
Best Practices
Golden Rules
- Always cancel if you can't make it
- Cancel immediately when you know
- Don't assume anything
- Get confirmation of everything
- Document all communications
- Act quickly - don't delay
What Not to Do
❌ Hope they won't notice
❌ Assume free cancellation = no charge without cancelling
❌ Wait to see if you'll make it
❌ Think calling hotel is enough
❌ Ignore cancellation deadlines
Need Help?
Charged for no-show?
Think charge is wrong?
Have documentation?
We'll:
- Review your case
- Check booking terms
- Contact supplier
- Dispute if appropriate
- Explain charges