InterContinental Hotels Group is introducing a policy enabling
customers at most hotels to cancel without penalty if they give at least 24
hours' notice.
The move comes about a month after Marriott International
tightened its cancellation policy, requiring guests at most hotels to give 48
hours' notice to cancel without penalty.
IHG's new policy will go into effect next month across most
of IHG's chains (Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, InterContinental, Staybridge
Suites, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, Even and Candlewood Suites) in the Americas
and Europe, and by October for the Middle East, Africa and Asia, excluding
China (where most hotels already have a same-day cancellation policy).
Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants chain will retain its 48-hour
cancellation policy.
"IHG's previous cancellation policy varied by both
region and brand, and this new change will mean that the majority of the IHG
estate will now operate under similar terms," said an IHG spokesperson.
Hilton said last month that its cancellation policies vary
at hotels, and an online search verified that. Some properties had 24-hour
windows and others had 48. And, 72-hour cancellation deadlines are not uncommon
in the industry.