Community Forums

Unicorn Driver · 06-26-2018, 12:06 PM

So this year Michigan state parks changed their cancelation fees.

I had paid 120$ for 4 nights, ended up canceling the last night due to unexpected work travel for my wife. Even though the booking is 6 weeks out I still was only refunded 12$.

This is not a rant at all, just letting folks know of the policy change.

BFlinn181 · 06-26-2018, 12:53 PM

Most likely a sad result of so many folks booking and then not showing or wanting to cancel. That takes away from others enjoyment and chances to find a spot.

Unicorn Driver · 06-26-2018, 12:58 PM

It sure is Bob,

Apparantly folks were really abusing it.

Ljwt330 · 06-26-2018, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Most likely a sad result of so many folks booking and then not showing or wanting to cancel. That takes away from others enjoyment and chances to find a spot.

Agree, except in this case the cancellation was done 6 weeks before the reserved date. To me, that seems extreme as the OP was obviously being responsible and considerate to notify the park of the change.

There should be a "Happy Medium" for such a severe charge, IMO, or a sliding scale. Does Michigan have a service charge for all reservation changes and any time? If you booked and later called back to make a change, would you be charged just to process the change? Does Michigan use a third party to make park reservations?

BFlinn181 · 06-26-2018, 01:19 PM

For over 20 years I worked summers in NW Wyoming near Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. When I had a night off, I could call and get a reservation in about any hotel or cabin in YNP for a night. The number of cancelations always left vacant spots. I just checked, you now are charged $15 within 30 days of an unused reservation, 30 days ahead you still get a full refund. I got rooms in the Old Faithful Inn, once in a ground floor room facing OF itself. Each eruption during the night, you could hear and feel it!

While we always resent when a doctor or business charges for a canceled appointment or reservation, it costs them money when a reserved spot goes unused. If only folks were more responsible, perhaps we all wouldn't be punished.

Before folks pile on, I know emergencies, breakdowns, etc. happen. I also know some folks reserve spots because they 'might' want to go and just want the option available.

I also responded to a fellow who wanted a refund of a holiday weekend campsite fee because he discovered there were ticks there after he arrived. On Cape Cod. Less than 50 miles from Lyme, CT. Of Lyme disease fame. He was flaming the campground because they wouldn't issue a full refund for the remainder of his reservation and hadn't warned him there were ticks.

Unicorn Driver · 06-26-2018, 01:27 PM

Hi Larry,

I think there is a 10$ when a booking is changed.

Hi Bob,

I remember the tick thread.

Anyways I was not giving out, just letting folk know. For next year I may only book holiday weekends in advance.