Cancel Red Planet: The Right Way

How to cancel your Red Planet booking and recover your money: the new zealand guide

What Red Planet is and why you might need to cancel

Red Planet is a budget hotel chain operating across Asia, headquartered in the Cayman Islands with properties primarily in Thailand, the Philippines, and Cambodia. You book rooms through their website, mobile app, or third-party platforms like Hotels.com and Agoda. Many New Zealand travellers choose Red Planet for affordable accommodation when exploring Southeast Asia. However, plans change. Flights get cancelled. Family emergencies arise. You might find a better option or simply change your mind. If you're in New Zealand and need to cancel a Red Planet booking, this guide will walk you through every option, explain your consumer rights, and help you recover your money where possible. Tocancel is here to empower you with the knowledge you need to take confident action.

Red planet's relationship with new zealand

Red Planet operates no hotels in New Zealand and maintains no local postal address for cancellation requests. This means you cannot lodge a physical cancellation letter through a New Zealand address. Instead, you must manage all cancellations online through the channels you used to book: their website, mobile app, or your third-party booking platform. Since Red Planet has no New Zealand presence, all communication happens digitally, and response times may be slower than for domestically-based companies. Understanding this limitation is your first step toward protecting your booking.

Why cancellation timing and method matter

Red Planet's cancellation policies are strict and vary dramatically depending on how you booked and which rate you selected. The difference between losing your entire payment and recovering it often comes down to knowing your booking type and acting before critical deadlines pass. Pre-paid bookings are typically non-refundable. Pay-later bookings offer flexibility if you act before check-in. Third-party bookings follow the platform's policy, not Red Planet's. Your ability to recover money hinges on these distinctions, and Tocancel exists to help you navigate this complexity. Acting quickly through the correct channel is essential.

Your consumer rights under new zealand law

As a New Zealand consumer, you have rights regardless of where a business operates or where the service is delivered.

Consumer guarantees act protections

The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (administered by the Commerce Commission) protects you when you purchase services like hotel accommodation. Your legal position is this: if Red Planet fails to deliver the service as agreed (for example, the hotel is not available on your arrival date, or conditions differ materially from the booking), you have the right to cancel and recover your payment. However, if you cancel because your plans changed (not because Red Planet breached the agreement), your refund depends on the specific terms you agreed to when booking. Most pre-paid bookings are legally non-refundable under those terms. The key distinction is whether Red Planet failed to perform or whether you chose not to use the service. If you believe Red Planet has misrepresented the service or failed to deliver, contact the Commerce Commission; if you simply want to cancel, your options are more limited. Tocancel recommends reviewing your booking confirmation email immediately to establish exactly what you agreed to.

Your dispute resolution rights

If Red Planet refuses to refund you and you believe you have grounds (service not delivered, misleading information, or unfair contract terms), you can escalate to the Commerce Commission or seek advice from a dispute resolution service. The Commerce Commission investigates complaints about unfair business practices. If Red Planet deliberately misleads customers about cancellation policies or charges undisclosed fees, that is a breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986. Document everything: your booking confirmation, cancellation request, and all correspondence. This evidence becomes crucial if you need to escalate.

Red Planet booking types and refund policies

Your cancellation rights depend entirely on which booking type you purchased.

Pre-paid bookings made directly with Red Planet

If you paid in full when booking on Red Planet's website or app, your booking is non-cancellable. Once confirmed and prepaid, Red Planet forfeits the entire amount, including all taxes and service charges. No procedural cancellation process will reverse this. If you submit a cancellation request, the company will not refund you. This is the harshest scenario. Tocancel strongly recommends checking cancellation terms before paying any upfront amount. If you have already paid, contact Red Planet's support team to confirm in writing that your rate is genuinely non-refundable; this creates a record for any future dispute.

Pay-later and on-arrival bookings

If you selected pay-later (paying when you arrive at the hotel), you have more leverage. Contact Red Planet or your booking confirmation channel before your arrival date to cancel if you cannot check in. If you fail to appear by 14:00 local time on your arrival date without notifying the hotel, Red Planet may cancel your booking and release the room. Once the hotel cancels you for no-show, your financial obligation may end, but you will not receive a refund if the hotel retained a deposit. Always notify the hotel in advance if you cannot make your dates; this avoids a no-show and potential disputes.

Refundable rates via third-party platforms

Bookings made through Hotels.com, Agoda, Booking.com, or similar platforms follow that platform's cancellation policy, not Red Planet's directly. Many rates offered through these sites are fully refundable if you cancel within a stated deadline. For example, a Red Planet property in Cebu might offer rates on Hotels.com that permit free cancellation up to 7 or 14 days before arrival. Your booking confirmation email states the cancellation deadline clearly. Tocancel advises screenshotting or printing this information immediately after booking. If you cancel before the deadline, the platform processes your refund to your original payment method, not Red Planet. If you cancel after the deadline, no refund is issued, even if Red Planet's own policy would allow it.

App store subscriptions and auto-renewal

If you purchased a Red Planet subscription through Apple's App Store or Google Play, you must cancel through that app store, not through Red Planet support. These subscriptions auto-renew unless you cancel them actively. Cancelling too late means paying for another billing cycle. Log into your App Store account (Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions on iPhone, or Google Play > Account > Subscriptions on Android) and turn off auto-renewal immediately if you no longer want the subscription.

How to cancel your Red Planet booking by platform

Follow the method that matches where you booked.

Cancelling a direct Red Planet website or app booking

1. Log into your Red Planet account on their website or app using your email and password.
2. Navigate to "My Bookings" or "Reservations" to view your active bookings.
3. Select the booking you wish to cancel and review the cancellation policy displayed for that specific rate.
   • If the policy says "non-refundable", you are unlikely to recover money, but you can still submit a cancellation request to create a record.
   • If the policy permits cancellation with a refund, note the cancellation deadline clearly.
4. Click "Cancel Booking" or "Request Cancellation" and follow the prompts.
5. Select your reason for cancellation from the dropdown menu (this helps Red Planet understand refund patterns).
6. Review the cancellation summary, which should state whether you will receive a refund.
7. Confirm the cancellation. Red Planet sends a confirmation email with a cancellation reference number.
8. Save this email and reference number as your proof of cancellation request.

If you cannot log in, check your email for password reset links or contact Red Planet support via their website contact form.

Cancelling a booking made through hotels.com

1. Visit Hotels.com and log into your account.
2. Go to "My Trips" or "Reservations" to find your Red Planet booking.
3. Click on the booking to view details and the cancellation policy.
   • Hotels.com clearly displays "Free Cancellation" or "Non-Refundable" on every booking.
   • Check the exact cancellation deadline in your local time zone.
4. If the deadline has not passed, click "Cancel Reservation".
5. Hotels.com asks you to confirm cancellation; review the refund amount (if any) before confirming.
6. Complete the cancellation and save your confirmation email.
7. Hotels.com processes refunds to your original payment method within 5-10 business days.

If you cancel after the deadline shown, Hotels.com will not issue a refund, even if Red Planet's own policy might permit it.

Cancelling a booking made through agoda

1. Log into your Agoda account on their website or app.
2. Tap "My Bookings" or "Reservations".
3. Find your Red Planet booking and tap on it to view full details and the cancellation policy.
4. If "Free Cancellation" is shown and the deadline has not passed, tap "Cancel Reservation".
5. Agoda asks you to confirm; review the refund amount and effective date.
6. Tap "Confirm Cancellation" and save your confirmation email.
7. Agoda refunds to your original payment method within 5-15 business days, depending on your bank.

Agoda sometimes holds refunds for investigation if the cancellation occurs very close to check-in; patience is required.

Cancelling an app store subscription

1. For iPhone (Apple App Store): Open Settings, tap your name at the top, tap "Subscriptions", find the Red Planet subscription, and tap "Cancel Subscription".
2. For Android (Google Play): Open the Google Play app, tap your profile icon, tap "Manage your Google Account", go to "Payments & subscriptions", tap "Subscriptions", find Red Planet, and tap "Cancel subscription".
3. Both platforms ask you to confirm; confirm cancellation immediately.
4. You receive a confirmation email. Save this as proof.
5. Your subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle; you are not charged again after that date.

After you cancel: what happens next

Once you submit a cancellation request, the process varies by platform.

Red Planet direct cancellations

Red Planet sends a confirmation email with your cancellation reference number within a few minutes. If your rate is refundable, the confirmation email states the expected refund amount and timeline. Refunds to credit or debit cards typically appear within 5-10 business days. Refunds to PayPal or other digital wallets may be faster. Monitor your bank or payment app to confirm the refund arrived. If 14 days pass and no refund appears, contact your bank to check if the transaction is pending, then follow up with Red Planet using your cancellation reference number.

Third-party platform cancellations

Hotels.com, Agoda, and similar platforms process refunds separately from Red Planet. You receive a confirmation email from the platform (not Red Planet) showing the refund status. The platform refunds your original payment method within the stated timeframe. Track this refund through your bank or payment account. If the refund does not arrive by the promised date, contact the third-party platform, not Red Planet; they control the refund process.

What if you do not receive your refund

If 14 business days pass and your refund has not arrived, take these steps. First, check your bank account again; refunds sometimes appear under a different transaction description. Second, log into your payment account (credit card company, PayPal, or app) and verify the refund status. Third, contact Red Planet or the third-party platform with your cancellation reference number and ask them to trace the refund. Fourth, if they confirm the refund was issued but your bank has not received it, contact your bank directly to investigate. Finally, if Red Planet or the platform refuses to refund you despite a refundable rate policy, escalate to the Commerce Commission. Tocancel recommends keeping all cancellation confirmation emails and bank statements as evidence for any dispute.

Common cancellation mistakes and how to avoid them

Cancellation disputes often stem from simple oversights that are entirely preventable. The good news is that awareness helps you sidestep these traps.

Mistake 1: cancelling after the deadline

Most third-party bookings have a specific cancellation deadline (7, 14, or 21 days before arrival). If you cancel after this deadline, no refund is issued, regardless of Red Planet's own policy. Set a calendar reminder 24 hours before the deadline to cancel if you plan to. Do not wait until the day of check-in to cancel; by then, you have forfeited the entire amount. Tocancel users often report that they cancelled too late because they assumed they had more time than their rate actually permitted.

Mistake 2: assuming Red planet's policy applies to third-party bookings

If you booked through Hotels.com or Agoda, Hotels.com and Agoda's policies govern your cancellation rights, not Red Planet's. Red Planet cannot override the platform's policy, even if you contact them directly. Always check your booking confirmation email to identify which platform issued your booking, then follow that platform's cancellation procedure. Contacting Red Planet directly when you booked through a third party wastes time.

Mistake 3: not reviewing the exact cancellation policy at booking

Red Planet's rates vary: some are non-refundable, others refundable. This distinction appears clearly in your booking confirmation email under "Rate Details" or "Cancellation Policy". If you do not read this at the time of booking, you may incorrectly believe you can cancel later. Take 60 seconds to review your confirmation email immediately after booking, screenshot the cancellation policy, and save it. This single step prevents most cancellation disputes.

Mistake 4: confusing pay-later bookings with free cancellation

Pay-later bookings (where you pay at the hotel, not online) are not the same as refundable bookings. You still must cancel formally before your arrival date. If you fail to show up by 14:00 on your arrival date without notifying the hotel, Red Planet marks you as a no-show and may retain a deposit. Always notify the hotel in advance if you cannot make your dates, even with pay-later bookings.

Mistake 5: cancelling via the wrong channel

If you booked through an app store subscription, you must cancel through that app store (Apple App Store or Google Play), not through Red Planet's support or website. Similarly, if you booked through Hotels.com, cancel through Hotels.com. Cancelling through the wrong channel creates confusion and delays. Identify your booking channel first, then use only that channel to cancel.

Pricing and refund scenarios

The table below shows common Red Planet booking scenarios and what you can typically expect.

If Red Planet refuses to refund you

If you have a legitimate refund claim and Red Planet denies it, escalate your complaint.

Step 1: document everything

Gather all evidence: your booking confirmation email, cancellation request confirmation, screenshots of the cancellation policy at the time you booked, your cancellation reference number, and any correspondence with Red Planet or the booking platform. This documentation is essential for any formal complaint.

Step 2: contact Red Planet in writing

Send a written email to Red Planet support (via their website contact form) outlining your complaint. State the booking reference number, the cancellation policy you were promised, the date you cancelled, and the refund amount you are owed. Request a written response within 10 business days. Keep a copy of this email. If Red Planet does not respond or refuses to refund you, proceed to the next step.

Step 3: escalate to the commerce commission or your bank

If Red Planet refuses to refund you and you believe the company has misrepresented its cancellation policy or failed to deliver the service, lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission. You can also dispute the charge with your bank or payment provider (credit card, PayPal, etc.). Your bank can investigate and potentially reverse the charge if Red Planet did not deliver the service or breached the agreed terms. Tocancel recommends exhausting the company's internal complaint process first, but do not let more than 30 days pass before escalating; payment disputes have time limits.

How tocancel helps you take action

Cancelling a booking when you are stressed or pressed for time is overwhelming. Tocancel is designed to remove that overwhelm. We provide step-by-step guidance tailored to your booking platform, timing, and payment method. Whether you booked through Red Planet directly, Hotels.com, Agoda, or an app store, you now have a clear path forward. Our goal is to empower you to recover your money or, if that is not possible, to understand your rights and document your claim. Tocancel has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers navigate complex cancellation policies and avoid costly mistakes. Your situation is solvable, and you now have the information to take confident action.

Cancellation checklist for Red Planet

Use this checklist to ensure you have completed all necessary steps.

• Have you identified where you booked (Red Planet website, Hotels.com, Agoda, or app store)?
• Have you reviewed your booking confirmation email to confirm the cancellation policy and deadline?
• Have you screenshotted or printed your cancellation policy and confirmation for your records?
• Have you logged into the correct cancellation platform (the platform where you booked, not Red Planet if you used a third party)?
• Have you confirmed the cancellation deadline is still in the future before proceeding?
• Have you submitted your cancellation request and received a confirmation email with a reference number?
• Have you saved your cancellation confirmation email and reference number?
• Have you set a reminder to check your bank or payment account 5-10 business days later to confirm the refund arrived?
• If no refund appeared after 14 business days, have you contacted Red Planet or the booking platform with your reference number?

When to keep your Red Planet booking

Cancellation is not always the best option. Consider keeping your booking if any of these apply.

Your rate is genuinely non-refundable

If you locked in a non-refundable rate at a significantly lower price than refundable alternatives, cancellation costs you everything. Unless your circumstances are dire (job loss, family emergency, serious illness), the cost of cancellation may exceed the cost of keeping the booking and using it or reselling your room to another traveller.

The cancellation deadline has passed

If you have missed the free cancellation deadline and you now cancel, you forfeit the entire amount. However, if the hotel is operational and you can still use the booking (or sell it), keeping it may recover some value.

You can transfer or resell your booking

Some hotel bookings allow name changes or transfers. If you can add another traveller's name to your reservation, you retain the booking's value for someone else. Alternatively, you can advertise your booking on travel forums or directly to friends and recover some or all of your money without cancelling through Red Planet.

Key takeaways

Your cancellation rights depend on three factors: where you booked, which rate you selected, and whether the cancellation deadline has passed. Pre-paid bookings made directly with Red Planet are typically non-refundable, but refundable rates exist on third-party platforms like Hotels.com and Agoda. Always review your booking confirmation email immediately to understand your exact policy. Act before the cancellation deadline; if you miss it, you lose your refund. If Red Planet refuses to refund you despite a refundable policy, escalate to the Commerce Commission or your bank. Tocancel has provided you with the knowledge and step-by-step guidance you need to take action confidently. Do not delay; every hour you wait brings you closer to your cancellation deadline. Visit Tocancel today to confirm your specific booking details and next steps.

Red Planet contact information

If you need to contact Red Planet directly, use these channels.

Red Planet maintains no physical office in New Zealand, so all contact must occur digitally. Response times may be slower than for local businesses; allow 5-10 business days for email responses. If you booked through a third-party platform, contact that platform first; they often resolve issues faster than Red Planet directly because they want to protect their customer satisfaction ratings.