Manage Red Planet

How to cancel red planet and get your money back: the new zealand guide

What red planet is and why you might cancel

Red Planet is a budget hotel brand operating across Asia, headquartered in the Cayman Islands and Thailand. You book rooms through their website, mobile app, or third-party booking platforms like Hotels.com. Many travellers choose Red Planet for affordable accommodation when exploring Southeast Asian destinations. However, plans change, flights get cancelled, or you simply find a better option. If you're in New Zealand and need to cancel a Red Planet booking or subscription, this guide will walk you through every option and protect your rights.

Red planet's presence in new zealand

Red Planet operates no hotels on New Zealand soil and has no local postal address for cancellation requests. This matters because you cannot lodge a physical cancellation letter with a New Zealand address. Instead, you manage all cancellations online through the same channels you used to book: their website, mobile app, or your third-party booking platform. Stopee has tracked this pattern across hundreds of budget hotel chains, and the key is acting quickly through digital channels before deadlines pass.

Why cancellation matters for your wallet

Red Planet's cancellation policies are strict. Pre-paid bookings are typically non-refundable once confirmed. Pay-later bookings offer more flexibility if you act before your check-in date. The difference between losing your entire payment and recovering it often comes down to knowing which booking type you purchased and which cancellation method applies. Understanding these distinctions upfront is why Stopee exists: to help you navigate corporate refund policies that are deliberately complex.

Red planet payment types and refund policies

Your cancellation rights depend entirely on how you paid and which rate you selected when booking.

Pre-paid bookings via red planet website

If you paid upfront on Red Planet's website, your booking is non-cancellable. Once confirmed and prepaid, Red Planet forfeits the full amount, including all taxes and service charges. There is no procedural cancellation process that will reverse this. If you submit a cancellation request, the company will not refund you. This is the harshest scenario, and Stopee recommends always checking cancellation terms before paying.

Pay-later and on-arrival bookings

If you selected pay-later (paying when you arrive), you have more leverage. Contact the hotel or your booking confirmation channel before your arrival date if you cannot check in. If you fail to appear by 14:00 local time on your arrival date without notifying the hotel in advance, Red Planet may cancel your booking and release the room. Once this happens, your obligation ends, but you will not receive a refund if the hotel retained a deposit.

Third-party bookings with refundable rates

Bookings made through Hotels.com, Agoda, or similar platforms follow that platform's cancellation policy, not Red Planet's. Some rates offered on these sites are fully refundable if cancelled within the stated deadline. For example, certain Red Planet Cebu rates on Hotels.com permit free cancellation up to 7 or 14 days before arrival. Check your booking confirmation email to identify your rate type and cancellation deadline. Stopee advises screenshotting this information immediately.

App store and google play subscriptions

If you purchased a Red Planet subscription through Apple's App Store or Google Play, you must cancel through that store, not through Red Planet support directly. These subscriptions often renew automatically, and cancelling too late means paying for another billing cycle.

How to cancel red planet by platform

The steps you follow depend on where you booked and how you paid. Start with your booking method below.

Cancelling a pre-paid red planet website booking

1. Log into your Red Planet account at redplanet.com using your email and password.
   • If you forgot your password, select "Forgot password" and follow the reset email.
2. Navigate to "My Bookings" or "Reservations" in your account dashboard.
   • Look for the booking you wish to cancel.
3. Select the booking and look for a "Cancel Booking" or "Modify" button.
   • If no cancellation option appears, the booking is non-refundable and locked. Proceed to Step 4.
4. If you find a cancellation option, click it and confirm. You will receive a cancellation confirmation email.
   • Warning: This email does not guarantee a refund. It confirms Red Planet has processed your cancellation request.
5. Contact Red Planet support via their website chat or email and explicitly ask: "Is my pre-paid booking refundable under my rate terms?"
   • Request a written response to your email address.
6. If Red Planet refuses a refund but you believe you have consumer rights, document the response and escalate under New Zealand law (see section below).
   • Pro tip: Stopee recommends photographing your entire booking confirmation and all email exchanges before escalating.

Cancelling a pay-later red planet booking

1. Log into your Red Planet account and navigate to your booking.
   • Confirm the booking shows "Pay on Arrival" or "Pay Later" as the payment method.
2. Contact the hotel directly using the phone number or email in your booking confirmation at least 24 hours before check-in.
   • Clearly state your booking reference, dates, and intention to cancel.
3. Ask the hotel to confirm cancellation in writing via email.
   • Request confirmation that no charges will be applied.
4. If the hotel does not respond, contact Red Planet customer support via their website.
   • Provide your booking reference and the date you notified the hotel.
5. Keep all emails and timestamps. If charges still appear on your card, dispute them with your bank within 30 days.
   • Pro tip: Banks in New Zealand typically favour consumers when a cancellation was notified in advance.

Cancelling a third-party booking (Hotels.com, agoda, etc.)

1. Log into the third-party platform where you booked (Hotels.com, Agoda, Booking.com, etc.).
   • Navigate to "My Bookings" or "Reservations".
2. Select your Red Planet booking and review the rate terms.
   • Look for the cancellation deadline and refund policy clearly displayed.
3. If the rate is refundable and the deadline has not passed, click "Cancel Booking" on that platform.
   • Do not contact Red Planet directly; the third-party platform handles cancellations.
4. Confirm the cancellation immediately and keep the confirmation email.
   • Warning: Once the deadline passes, most third-party refundable rates become non-refundable. Act before midnight on the deadline date.
5. The refund will process to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days, depending on your bank.
   • Pro tip: Contact the third-party platform's customer support if the refund does not appear within 14 days.

Cancelling an app store subscription (Apple or google)

1. For Apple App Store: Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
   • Tap your name at the top of the screen.
   • Select "Subscriptions".
   • Find the Red Planet subscription and tap it.
   • Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm.
2. For Google Play: Open the Google Play app on your Android device.
   • Tap the profile icon in the top right corner.
   • Select "Payments and subscriptions".
   • Tap "Subscriptions".
   • Find the Red Planet subscription and tap it.
   • Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm.
3. You will receive a confirmation email from Apple or Google.
   • Your access will end at the end of your current billing cycle.
   • You will not be charged for the next period.
4. Warning: If you cancel after the billing cycle has renewed, Apple and Google may refuse a refund. Act as soon as you decide to cancel.
5. If Apple or Google refuses a refund and you believe you are entitled under New Zealand consumer law, contact the Commerce Commission (see section below).
   • Stopee advises referencing the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 in any dispute.

Your consumer rights under new zealand law

When Red Planet or a third party refuses a refund, your consumer rights matter. New Zealand law protects you in specific scenarios.

The consumer guarantees act and your protection

The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 states that services (including hotel bookings) must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and supplied with reasonable care. If Red Planet fails to deliver a service you paid for, or misleads you about cancellation terms, you have grounds to dispute the charge. However, this act does not override clear cancellation policies you agreed to when booking. The distinction is crucial: if you knowingly purchased a non-refundable rate, you agreed to the terms. If Red Planet misrepresented the cancellation policy or the website was unclear, you have a case.

When to escalate to the commerce commission

If Red Planet refuses a refund after you have documented your cancellation request and believe the company breached the Consumer Guarantees Act, contact the Commerce Commission. Stopee recommends gathering the following before contacting them: your booking confirmation email, all cancellation requests you submitted with timestamps, Red Planet's written refusal, and a clear explanation of why you believe the Act was breached. The Commerce Commission can investigate unfair contract terms and misleading conduct. Write to them at commerce@comcom.govt.nz or visit comcom.govt.nz.

Disputing charges with your bank

If you paid by credit or debit card, you can dispute the charge with your bank within 30 days (some banks allow up to 120 days). Tell your bank that Red Planet refused a refund for a cancelled service or that you were misled about cancellation terms. Your bank will contact Red Planet and investigate. This is often faster than going to the Commerce Commission and has a high success rate when you provide proof of cancellation. Stopee advises opening a dispute if Red Planet ignores your cancellation request for more than 7 days.

Common mistakes when cancelling red planet

Cancelling a hotel booking can feel stressful, especially when money is at stake. The mistakes below cost travellers thousands every year.

Assuming all red planet bookings are refundable

This is the costliest error. Many people assume hotel bookings are always refundable or that they can cancel anytime. Red Planet's pre-paid rate is explicitly non-refundable. Before you book, check the rate terms. If the rate does not clearly state "Free Cancellation", treat it as non-refundable. Stopee always recommends choosing a refundable rate if your plans are uncertain, even if it costs slightly more.

Contacting red planet support instead of the app store

If you subscribed via Apple or Google, cancelling through Red Planet support will not work. Red Planet has no access to your app store subscription. You must cancel directly through Apple or Google. Contacting Red Planet wastes 3 to 5 days while your subscription ticks toward the next billing cycle. Check your confirmation email to identify where you subscribed, then cancel there immediately.

Missing the third-party cancellation deadline

Third-party platforms like Hotels.com impose strict deadlines. If you booked a refundable rate but miss the deadline by one day, the booking becomes non-refundable. Set a phone reminder one week before the deadline. Stopee recommends adding the deadline to your calendar the moment you book.

Not documenting your cancellation attempt

If you call a hotel or Red Planet support verbally, you have no proof of your cancellation request. Always follow up in writing (email) within 24 hours. Say: "I am confirming our phone conversation on [date]. I requested cancellation of booking [reference]. Please confirm this cancellation in writing." This creates a paper trail if a dispute arises. Screenshots of every communication are essential.

Paying a no-show fee when you cancelled

If you cancelled a pay-later booking but the hotel still charged you a no-show fee, dispute this immediately. Contact the hotel with your cancellation confirmation, then escalate to the third-party platform or your bank if needed. Many hotels process no-show charges automatically and will reverse them once you provide proof of cancellation.

What happens after you cancel red planet

Cancellation is only the beginning. Understanding what occurs next ensures you do not face surprise charges or data issues.

Your booking status and the room

Once Red Planet processes your cancellation, the booking moves to "Cancelled" status in your account. The room is released back into the hotel's inventory for other guests to book. For pre-paid bookings, this release does not trigger a refund. For pay-later bookings, the cancellation simply removes your reservation; the hotel loses the booking revenue but incurs no penalty from you.

Refunds and payment timelines

If your cancellation is refundable, the refund will process to your original payment method. Third-party bookings usually refund within 5 to 10 business days. Direct Red Planet bookings rarely refund because most are non-refundable. If a refund does not appear within 14 days, contact the platform (third party or Red Planet) and provide your booking reference and cancellation date. Stopee advises checking your bank's pending transactions dashboard; some refunds appear as "pending" before they fully clear.

Your account and data

Your booking record and personal data (name, email, phone) remain in Red Planet's system after cancellation. This is normal and helps you retrieve booking history if needed. If you wish Red Planet to delete your personal data, contact their privacy team via their website. Note that they may retain data for legal or accounting purposes even after deletion requests. You have the right to request this under New Zealand privacy law, but Red Planet may justify retention under their privacy policy.

Subscription and app store impact

Cancelling an app store subscription stops future renewals immediately. You will not be charged again. Your access ends at the end of your current billing period. If you cancelled mid-cycle, you retain access until the cycle ends; you simply are not charged when it renews. This is the same for both Apple and Google subscriptions.

Refund scenarios and outcomes

Your refund depends on your booking rate, cancellation deadline, and which platform you used.

Checklist before and after cancelling

Use this checklist to ensure you have covered every step and protected yourself.

Before you cancel

• Locate your booking confirmation email and note the booking reference number.
• Check the rate terms to identify whether your booking is refundable or non-refundable.
• If refundable, note the cancellation deadline and set a phone reminder.
• Decide which cancellation method applies (Red Planet website, third-party platform, app store, or direct hotel contact).
• Ensure you have access to the account or platform where you booked.
• Screenshot the rate terms and booking confirmation for your records.

During cancellation

• Cancel through the correct platform (do not contact Red Planet if you booked via a third party).
• If you call, follow up with a written cancellation request by email within 24 hours.
• Request written confirmation of your cancellation.
• Screenshot or photograph the cancellation confirmation.
• Note the date and time you submitted your cancellation request.

After cancellation

• Wait 5 to 10 business days for your refund to process (if refundable).
• Check your bank account and credit card statement to confirm the refund appeared.
• If the refund does not appear after 14 days, contact the platform and request a refund status update.
• Keep all cancellation confirmations and communications for at least one year.
• If Red Planet refuses a refund unfairly, gather all documentation and escalate to the Commerce Commission or your bank.

Why stopee exists for travellers like you

Red Planet and hundreds of other services deliberately complicate their cancellation policies. Refund deadlines are hidden in rate terms, non-refundable rates are offered prominently, and customer support is difficult to reach. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions and recover unfair charges by providing clear, step-by-step guidance and escalation paths under consumer law. You do not have to lose money to confusing policies. This guide arms you with the knowledge and confidence to cancel Red Planet correctly, recover refunds you are entitled to, and escalate when companies refuse to respect your rights.

Contacting red planet and escalation addresses

If you need to reach Red Planet directly, use these channels. Note that Red Planet has no physical office in New Zealand.

Red planet customer support

Visit redplanet.com and use the "Contact Us" or live chat feature on the website. You can also email Red Planet's support team; the address will be listed in your booking confirmation. Response times vary from 24 to 48 hours. For urgent matters, use the live chat feature if available. Stopee advises being clear and concise: include your booking reference, the issue (cancellation), and the outcome you are seeking (refund or cancellation confirmation).

New zealand commerce commission escalation

If Red Planet refuses a refund and you believe consumer law has been breached, contact the Commerce Commission:

Commerce Commission
Email: commerce@comcom.govt.nz
Website: comcom.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 943 600

The Commission investigates unfair contract terms, misleading conduct, and breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. Provide your booking confirmation, all cancellation requests, Red Planet's written refusal, and a clear statement of why you believe your consumer rights were breached.

Disputes tribunal (small claims)

If the amount in dispute is less than NZD 20,000 (or NZD 15,000 if both parties agree), you can lodge a claim with the Disputes Tribunal. This is a free, independent service that resolves consumer disputes without requiring lawyers. Visit justice.govt.nz/tribunals/disputes-tribunal to lodge a claim.

Stopee has guided consumers through every cancellation scenario imaginable. Whether you are facing a non-refundable pre-paid booking, a missed deadline, or a refund that never arrived, the steps and escalation paths above will help you recover what you are entitled to. Your rights matter, and companies like Red Planet rely on travellers not pushing back. Take action today, document everything, and do not accept unfair refusals.