No Refund/Hotel
 

I've made an advanced reservation,on line,with The Hampton Inn Savanna,Ga.It's my stopping point en-route to S.Fla. The rate is lower then booking via phone however, it is a non-refundable reservation. Can this be possible even with advanced notification?

Absolutely - there are less expensive "non-refundable" rates and slightly more expensive "refundable" rates. Once you hit "buy", your credit card is charged and there's no refund allowed.

Yes it can. They're offering you a lower price and asking you to assume the risk.

If you're worried about not being able to get to the hotel, make a cancelable booking at a higher rate. You might be able to lock in a cheaper rate closer to your day of travel.

There are lots of ways to book a room. You can do a "bid"-priceline type. You can book through other sights like expedia. Sometimes AAA or a Gov. Rate is the best option.

READ READ READ the fine print. If there isn't much a difference in price, I always just go with the standard fare/one that I can cancel.

But yes, Rates are lower usually for a non-refundable upfront rate. Hertz rental car does this as well(I haven't noticed any other car rentals doing that though)

yes

yes, and from time to time there's a complaint here on Fodor's about the "bad customer service" from a hotel that would not refund a non-refundable deposit when the traveler had a change of plans.

Airline, hotel, whatever. Some people don't grasp the concept that if you want flexibility you may need to pay more. Sometimes a lot more.

Yes.

I had an unpleasant surprise recently when booking a room at a Holiday Inn Express in California. I selected the Entertainment Book rate when I noticed that it was a few dollars less than the AAA or AARP rates. However, my heart sank when the reservation showed up in my e-mail stating that the money would be billed to my credit card immediately and that it was non-refundable.

I called the hotel directly and told them I that I didn't know the Entertainment Book rate had to be paid in advance and that I would prefer the more expensive AAA rate. They made the change for me.

HTTY

In general, they will even charge you when you fail to show up because of events beyond your control: traffic, accidentss, car trouble, illness, snow (but perhaps not a blizzard). You can always ask, but don't get mad if they say "no."

Sure - is common on both hotel websites and on-line agents (Expedia, etc). Sometimes if you are truly delayed for circumstances beyond your control - not just changing your mind - if you call the hotel during business hours and are very nice, they will do something like changing your date of stay, letting you stay instead at another hotel in the same chain - but not usually give you an outright refund.

A non-refundable rate is just that, non-refundable, however you booked it. Directly with the hotel, hotel chain main reservation office, travel agency, or Name Your Own Price on Priceline or Hotwire. That's why you do get a preferred rate but you have to be ready to accept the consequences.

That said, I was able to wiggle my way out twice with a Priceline reservation. The first time it was a res for a London hotel. I called the hotel directly and got the night manager to change my dates.

Second time it was a hotel in Georgia. I actually made an honest date mistake when booking the hotel. This was for a family reunion. Once again I called the hotel directly and talked to the manager. She took it upon herself to allow the change but did charge me an extra $10 for the change. I was very happy with that.

All the other times I booked with Priceline I saved a great deal of money but I knew what the consequences would be if I could not make the trip.

I am always surprised that people think that a business cannot set whatever rules it wants for something it sells (unless it is illegal, of course). When I buy something in a store I always ask what the return policy is--refund or credit, for example. If it is credit, then I'll probably not buy it if I have any question I want it.
It is THEIR business.