What is a non-refundable hotel booking?
A non-refundable hotel booking forfeits the full amount if you cancel. The rate is usually 10-30% cheaper than the equivalent flexible rate.
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How non-refundable bookings work
A non-refundable booking means the hotel keeps your full payment regardless of whether you stay. The trade-off is a lower price - typically 10-30% off the equivalent free cancellation rate at the same property. Once you pay, the booking is locked in.
Why hotels offer them
Hotels can't sell an empty room. Non-refundable rates protect them from late cancellations and let them forecast revenue more accurately. In return, they pass some of that certainty back to guests as a discount.
Non-refundable bookings on trip1
trip1 labels every non-refundable rate clearly at checkout. If you don't see "Free cancellation" on a rate, assume it's non-refundable. For genuine emergencies, contact trip1 support and we'll ask the property for a goodwill exception - it's not guaranteed but it's worth asking.
When non-refundable makes sense
- Your travel dates are confirmed and unlikely to change.
- The savings vs. the flexible rate are meaningful for your budget.
- You have travel insurance that would cover an emergency cancellation.
Non-refundable hotel bookings explained - FAQ
It means the hotel keeps your full payment if you cancel, no matter when you cancel or whether you stay. In return you pay less than for the flexible rate at the same property. On trip1 every non-refundable rate is labelled at checkout, and if a rate does not show "Free cancellation", assume it is non-refundable.
It can be, when your travel dates are confirmed and unlikely to change and the savings matter to your budget. Travel insurance that covers an emergency cancellation makes the risk easier to carry. If any of that is uncertain, the free cancellation rate is the safer choice, because a non-refundable booking forfeits everything if plans change.
You pay a lower price, typically 10 to 30% below the free cancellation rate, and in return the hotel keeps your payment whatever happens. Hotels cannot resell an empty night, so a guaranteed booking protects them from late cancellations and helps them forecast revenue. They pass part of that certainty back to you as a discount.
Not always. Prepaid describes when you pay, at the time of booking, while non-refundable describes what happens if you cancel. Many non-refundable rates are prepaid, but some prepaid rates still offer free cancellation up to a deadline. The label on the rate is what counts: on trip1, no "Free cancellation" label means non-refundable.