No-show fee

A no-show fee is what the hotel charges your credit card when you don't show up for your reservation AND didn't cancel within the deadline. Standard charges: one full night for flexible bookings, the entire stay for non-refundable bookings. Hotels charge this automatically the morning after your missed arrival. If something genuinely unexpected happens (illness, hospitalization, family emergency, flight grounded by airline issue), contact the hotel ASAP, many will waive or reduce the fee, especially for loyalty members or if you can provide documentation. Travel insurance often covers no-show fees if the reason qualifies. Lesson: if your plans change for any reason, ALWAYS call the hotel before your arrival time, even if you're past the cancellation window. They often offer rescheduling instead of full charges.