Across 4,894 hotels the cheapest refundable offer cost a median 9 % more than the cheapest non-refundable one, and in 74 % of cases the overall cheapest offer was non-refundable (Google Hotels listings, 3 nights from 26 or 28 November 2026, 2 guests).
The lowest price on a booking site is often a rate you cannot cancel. We compared both types for the same hotel and dates.
How we measured
For 5,217 hotels we read all offers listed on Google Hotels for 3 nights (check-in 26 or 28 November 2026, 2 guests). For each hotel we took the cheapest offer marked "free cancellation" and the cheapest offer without it, and compared them. 4,894 hotels had both kinds.
What it means
- A refundable rate costs about 9 % more at the median. On a 300 € stay that is roughly 27 €.
- If your plans are fixed (a wedding, a conference), the non-refundable rate is a fair saving.
- If you might change dates, book the refundable rate or check the deadline: many rates are free to cancel until a few days before arrival. See free cancellation explained.
Questions
Is the non-refundable price always the cheapest? No. In 26 % of our checks a refundable offer was just as cheap or cheaper.
Are the prices final? They are what the listing showed on the day we read it. Check taxes and conditions on the booking page.