Booking.com makes changes to hotel cancellation and deposit policies

Booking.com will be reducing the number and types of cancellation and prepayment policies that it will support on its platform.

From 6 April, the website will only support cancellation and prepayment policies that require fees for the first night's stay, 50% of the total stay or the entire stay.

It will also no longer support cancellation and prepayment policies that require guests to pay multiple fees. For example, hotels will no longer be able to use policies that require guests to pay 50% of the total stay when they book and then the remaining 50% seven days before check-in.

Booking.com said the changes have been made as these policies result in "few bookings or aren't used at all".

In a post on its website, it said: "We'd like to reassure you that we're making these improvements with your business' success in mind. These changes will give you more control over how much flexibility you offer, as well as providing travellers with the extra clarity they're looking for – enabling them to book with confidence."

Hotels using policies that will no longer be supported by Booking.com will have to change them, or on 6 April the site will change them to the nearest stricter policy or round up the percentage payable to the next higher value.

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