In the event you cancel your trip, and even though your lodging might be non refundable, or moved into the non refundable window, never hurts to politely ask what they can do.
We made a reservation a month ago for tonight in Milan to see a soccer match at San Siro stadio. Our cancel by date was Feb 15, long before the Coronavirus was reported in Italy. But when the soccer match for today was canceled this past week, we thought we’d be out the €150.
So I messaged the hotel via booking.com
Bouna sera, due to the current situation in Italy and Lombardy, and the likelihood that Sunday’s soccer match will be cancelled or closed the the public, we’d like to request an exception to our reservation that became non refundable before the spike in Coronavirus cases. Is it possible for us to change reservation to a new date in late April, without paying for our stay on Sunday. Please let me know what you can do. We live an hour north of Milan and think the prudent thing is to just stay home at this time.
And received the below response which was unexpected and more than fair.
Thank you for your kind email
We inform you that we can keep the deposit valid for a future booking until 25/06/2020.
If on the chosen date the rate will be higher than the one already paid, the difference will be paid at the time of check in.
If on the chosen date the rate will be lower, we reserve the right to keep the amount already paid valid.
Please feel free to contact us for any further information.
Best regards, TOCQ HOTEL