When I click through to the booking page, I get some cancelation deadline, and then a note like this: "You cannot cancel your reservation if you selected and booked a non refundable or prepaid rate."

I tried this for a few hotels and the disclaimer is always there. But the thing is that I can't tell if a rate is actually not cancelable.

Is this something to worry about? I most likely need to cancel (won't get into the story now).

I know I've cancelled Venere bookings before, but this disclaimer seems new.

Thanks!

Since you need the flexibility to cancel this particular trip, I can't help but wonder why you aren't just telephoning the hotels you are interested in directly this time instead of booking through a third party?

It's obviously a general warning that applies to certain types of booking -- those made at "a non refundable or prepaid rate". They are usually the cheapest rates and, like all bargain rates, they are subject to stricter conditions than other bookings. All you need do is be sure that you don't book such a package if you want the option of cancelling.

I presume Venere have had some problems where clients did not read the conditions on which they booked, and are simply flagging the need to be sure what you are doing.

In general, booking services apply cancellation conditions prescribed by the hotels.

For reasons I won't get into, I need to get confirms, and it's easier to do this through a third-party agent since I can get an e-mail confirm and also cancel easily. I suppose I can get the hotel to send me a confirm also.

I guess I'll probably use Utell instead, which I've not used in a while.

I recently had to cancel a reservation that I had made through Venere. It was relatively easy.

The email sent to me confirming my reservation mentioned the cancellation policy of the hotel that was booked. It specifically mentioned the date up to which the reservation could be canceled without a penalty.

Most if not all hotel direct on line booking sites such as Hilton and Marriott will send you an e-mail confirmation almost as soon as you click on confirm.

That's true. I guess I was thinking that I should probably take the opportunity to investigate the booking websites because I'd more likely book through Venere than a Hilton, say. But obviously if the goal is to get a confirm, the Hilton or a chain works fine. Thanks!