Updated on March 4, 2020:

***Marriott is now waiving cancellation fees for hotel stays through March 31, 2020 for guests traveling to or from the following locations:
· Asia Pacific: Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea
· Europe: Italy***

Marriott International and Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) have both extended their cancellation fee waivers for stays booked in South Korea and Italy, due to the rise in the coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in these countries.

Marriott International’s cancellation fee waiver policy also covers Japan.

As of writing this story, the coronavirus outbreak has resulted in 4,212, 1,694 and 256 confirmed cases in South Korea, Italy and Japan respectively, according to South China Morning Post. South Korea and Italy, currently the two largest clusters outside mainland China, have reported 22 and 34 deaths respectively, according to the Hong Kong-based newspaper.

Marriott International is now waiving cancellation fees for guests with reservations at any hotel under the group in South Korea, Japan and Italy for stays through March 15.

Additionally, it will also waive cancellation fees for guests in South Korea, Japan and Italy travelling outbound to other Marriott destinations globally through March 15.

IHG has extended its cancellation fee waivers for stays booked at IHG hotels in South Korea and Italy. IHG said guests travelling to or from South Korea and Italy between February 28 and March 31 will be able to change or cancel a valid booking reservation made via the hotel directly, its website ihg.com, the IHG app, or the IHG Central Reservations Centre, without “financial penalty”. The hotel group advises those who have made bookings via a travel agent or online booking platform to contact their agent.

Previously, Marriott International and IHG only offered cancellation fee waivers for guests who had booked stays at any of their hotels in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, as well as for guests from the Greater China region who had reservations at IHG or Marriott properties worldwide.

Both hotel groups are now offering membership tier and points status extensions to their members from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan whose travel plans have been affected by the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

Business Traveller Asia-Pacific is updating a list of hotel groups that are waiving cancellation fees and offering more flexible rebooking policies amid concern over the spread of the coronavirus:

Coronavirus: Hotels offer refunds for cancellations

marriott.com