Sundance Hotels Refusing Refunds After Festival Shuts Down

The Sundance Film Festival was cancelled recently due to an ongoing wave of COVID-19 infections in the area. Kanye West was set to debut his new documentary at the famous event. Those plans were dashed when festival organizers pulled the plug on in-person events.

The Sundance Festival was set to take place from January 20 through the 30th. The annual event always brings out the best and brightest of the silver screen. It was cancelled a little over two weeks prior to the start date. TMZ is now reporting that a lot of hotels and Aibnb’s in the area are not refunding customers who have no reason to travel there anymore.

One email from a festival representative explained their reason for not refunding tickets. The email said that a paying customer should not expect to get a refund. The ticketing page said the admission price was non-refundable.

“We understand your disappointment in not being able to attend in person. Despite the most ambitious protocols, the Omicron variant with its unexpectedly high transmissibility rates have pushed the limits of health safety, travel and other infrastructures across the country, and particularly in our Utah locations, making this shift to online a necessary adjustment during the pandemic.

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Ticket products sold were hybrid packages where tickets could be used for online or in person, interchangeably. The package was not sold for only in person or for online. At the time of purchase all products were noted as non-refundable on the ticketing page and in the terms and conditions. We are not able to give refunds on non-refundable products.”

The letter also attempted to guilt the patron by reminding them that their money helps to support a non-profit arts organization. Festival organizers are giving the option to convert the money into a tax-deductible donation to the Sundance Institute. Many are still left without a satisfying solution.

Hotels have been just as harsh on customers who want to get out of their reservations. Auberge Resorts was charging nearly $4,000 a night for their suites. The hotel is claiming that those bookings were also non-refundable. A lot of unhappy movie fans are going to be spending a pointless time in Utah if better options aren’t made available.

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