Itchn2go - I totally understand your frustration. But, I also understand a business holding to their policies.
The reason for cancellation policies is: 1) so that customers understand up front what they can expect; and 2) so staff doesn't have to make judgement calls every time someone wants out of the deal.
If they give you the exception, then what about the person whose mother just died. What about the person whose RV was in an accident. What about the person whose daughter just won the regional spelling bee. What about the person whose toilet clogged up. And so on.
What makes your situation different from the next guy's? And if the business is expected to make all these exceptions, the why have a policy.