score:4
Holiday Inn is actually a franchise so if you move your booking to a different hotel, the local business owner personally loses out.
However, as you realize, what you can do is change the date of the reservation. You can do this repeatedly. Personally I think this is very generous. Simply push your reservation out one year in advance and wait until you are back in the area again.
If the rate offered has increased on your new date, you will be asked to pay the difference.
Upvote:0
This has happened to me a few times. If you explain the situation to management, they will usually help (at least in my case). There have been a few cases where they refuse to help, but most are pretty understanding and want you to have a good experience so you'll return. It's worth a shot.
Upvote:1
So it seems the answer is to email the hotel directly and ask nicely, and ye shall get. Well, the reservation was changed into a refundable one instead of non-refundable, at higher cost of course. Not saying this would work all the time though!