TORONTO — Another hotel giant has announced the implementation of a cancellation policy, this one featuring a shorter window than its main competitors.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), which owns Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Kimpton, is adopting a 24-hour cancellation policy for the majority of its hotels. Starting next month in the Americas and Europe, and by October in the Middle East, Africa and Asia (excluding China), guests will need to give at least 24 hours’ notice of cancellation to avoid paying a penalty.

“IHG’s previous cancellation policy varied by both region and brand, and this new change will mean that the majority of the IHG estate will now operate under similar terms,” said an IHG spokesperson. “The changes to IHG’s cancellation policy will provide our guests with greater consistency when managing their reservations and offer certainty for our owners.”

The spokesperson went on to assure guests that they’ll have one day prior to arrival to cancel their reservations without penalty, “which still leaves them with 24 hours if they need to cancel their booking.”

The news comes on the heels of Marriott’s decision last month to move to a 48-hour cancellation policy, which received backlash from travel buyers and travellers alike. Hilton followed suit on July 21 by announcing its own cancellation policy, charging guests a fee equivalent to one night’s stay for room bookings cancelled with less than 48 hours notice.