Well color me surprised. I've never stayed in a hotel that needed more than 24hrs notice. Was that Ames hotels? They prob know it's a game weekend and change the policy. Stay in dsm and maybe not have the same problem.
Yeah these are all the Ames hotels. Usually every year we have a big family get together at 1 game and a college friends reunion at another and it has always the Monday before. They changed it this year for the K State game and maybe others.
As far as other hotels, I am with you on that one. Usually if you cancel within 24hrs you are good to go.