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I booked a non-refundable hotel room but something extremely unexpected came up and I won't be able to use the room. My name is on the reservation. Is it possible to sell/give the room to someone and have them check-in without me there? It just seems like such a waste for it to go unused.

Ask them to change the name of the guest and explain, you have a good chance. When is it for and where maybe you can still recoup some money

Brandon2012 said "Ask them to change the name of the guest and explain, you have a good chance. When is it for and where maybe you can still recoup some money "

It's a suite in Regina for the nights of Aug. 14 and 15. It was booked for 4 adults and 1 child.  
 
I just wasn't sure where to start... if I call the hotel to check if I can change the name first, I won't have a name to change it to and would possibly get a different response if I call back lare with a name. But if I sell/give it to someone first and then I can't change the name, that won't work.

I'm not sure that TEN is right in this case. It sounds like you booked the hotel room on hotwire.com or one of the discount hotel sites for the stay to be non-refundable. When I've use these sites before, I've noticed a statement that says something to the effect that the person whose name was used to book must be present at check in. If I were you I'd check the fine print of your booking confirmation and then I'd called the hotel and very politely plead to change that name.

campfire3 said "I'm not sure that TEN is right in this case. It sounds like you booked the hotel room on hotwire.com or one of the discount hotel sites for the stay to be non-refundable. When I've use these sites before, I've noticed a statement that says something to the effect that the person whose name was used to book must be present at check in. If I were you I'd check the fine print of your booking confirmation and then I'd called the hotel and very politely plead to change that name. "

I booked online, but it was through the hotel's site. I don't remember reading that but I booked it a while ago, so it might have said that. On my confirmation email, it doesn't say anything like that anywhere I can find, so I don't know.  
 
Thanks for all the input!

Sweet - then if I were you I'd even call the hotel and ask them if there's anyway you can cancel it even if you have to pay a small fee (it's still 2 weeks away and I'm guessing that the refundable rooms were only $20-$30 more). Maybe they'll let you switch it to refundable for a bit more money and then refund the original amount.

Hey! I work at a hotel, try calling them directly and explain your situation, they may be able to change the name on the reservation or put a note on file that a different guest will be staying in the room instead of yourself. I'm guessing that you booked through a booking site online..usually guest rooms are never non-refundable if done through the hotel directly, call the site you booked through as well and explain the situation...the hotel itself may even be able to call the booking site and try get that cancelled or at the very least modified for you!

I sent you a private message