Any issues cancelling reservation booked through expedia, orbitz, etc?

[Jedimom]

I currently have three nights at Drury and four nights at Cabana Bay booked through the hotels themselves. But....as I rethink our needs I feel a condo for the full 7 days, one which is close to DTD or Universal or Seaworld would accommodate us better. Trouble is that for six of us, in that geographical area, and with the bedroom configurations we would need, all that there is are timeshares. Many of those places don't even allow booking through them directly (they want you to buy in). So I'm left with options like orbitz, expedia, travelocity, etc. I haven't booked with them in probably ten years.

For health reasons, I would really feel more comfortable with a cancel-able reservation. I hope I won't need to utilize it, but at this time with what's going on I feel it's necessary that I only book if I can cancel should the need arise.

I see on orbitz they claim that there is free cancellation. But it also says that payment in full is due upon booking the room. So.....how would cancellation work then? They'd refund your money in x amount of days? Anyone had any experience with this?

 

[cillakat]

You might consider Wyndham Bonnet Creek. Though it is a timeshare, you can book through them directly and skip the timeshare pitch or you can book through various services.

Vacation Strategy has a great cxl policy - cancel before 20 days and the refund is full. Cancel within 20 days and the full amount can be credited toward another booking at Wyndham.

http://vacationstrategy.com/ (no affiliation, just think it sounds like a reasonable option)

 

[Miffy]

I've canceled Orbitz reservations. Got nearly immediate refund, within a day of canceling. Very easy and fast.

 

[Jedimom]

You might consider Wyndham Bonnet Creek. Though it is a timeshare, you can book through them directly and skip the timeshare pitch or you can book through various services.

Vacation Strategy has a great cxl policy - cancel before 20 days and the refund is full. Cancel within 20 days and the full amount can be credited toward another booking at Wyndham.

http://vacationstrategy.com/ (no affiliation, just think it sounds like a reasonable option)

Thanks for that website! I was able to email them and they responded quickly. Unfortunately their response was "unavailable for those dates."

I've canceled Orbitz reservations. Got nearly immediate refund, within a day of canceling. Very easy and fast.

Thank you -- that's very reassuring.

 

[DPickering]

I currently have three nights at Drury and four nights at Cabana Bay booked through the hotels themselves. But....as I rethink our needs I feel a condo for the full 7 days, one which is close to DTD or Universal or Seaworld would accommodate us better. Trouble is that for six of us, in that geographical area, and with the bedroom configurations we would need, all that there is are timeshares. Many of those places don't even allow booking through them directly (they want you to buy in). So I'm left with options like orbitz, expedia, travelocity, etc. I haven't booked with them in probably ten years.

For health reasons, I would really feel more comfortable with a cancel-able reservation. I hope I won't need to utilize it, but at this time with what's going on I feel it's necessary that I only book if I can cancel should the need arise.

I see on orbitz they claim that there is free cancellation. But it also says that payment in full is due upon booking the room. So.....how would cancellation work then? They'd refund your money in x amount of days? Anyone had any experience with this?

I use these sites regularly. Typically book and check regularly for better deals, if I find one cancel and rebook. Done this more times than I can count. Never had a problem getting a refund.

I actually find it easier to do this thru travel sites where you just click to cancel. With a direct res at a Disney resort last time to cancel I had to call, wait 15 minutes paying long distance to cancel.

The travel sites have it right; they know it's easier for them and you to make cancelling and getting a refund as quick and easy as possible. Disney needs to catch up unless this had been updated since our last trip.

 

[powellrj]

Have you thought about renting a house. Not sure if they would be easier to cancel, but if you bought trip insurance, you could cancel if you became ill.

 

[Amanda999]

No problems canceling Orbitz hotel rooms. (And I've done it alot!) I get the refund on my credit card dated as of the same date, but it appears 1 to 2 business days later. (WAY faster than a refund from Disney resort room only - booked via Disney.) Just a few mouse clicks; never a phone call needed.

The only caveat I have for booking via Orbitz is that sometimes with condos or hotels with many categories, it is not well written out at Orbitz. So its not 100% clear what kind of room they are describing. And, sometimes a rate is non-refundable (but at the hotel's/timeshare's/condo's site that wasn't the case), so read everything carefully before booking. (Of course, the non-refundable aspect is what made the price lower.)