Hotels and Late Cancellation

Greetings,
It's the middle of summer.  If you've got a little extra money in your pocket, that could mean taking a vacation.  According to the New York Times, some hotels have changed their cancellation policies:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/business/new-hotel-policies-mean-a-late-cancellation-will-cost-you.html?src=me

This can leave travelers on the hook for a hotel room if their plans change, a flight gets cancelled, or a car breaks down.  Hotels have different policies and this is when it really pays to read the fine print before you book.