In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on Asheville, North Carolina on September 28, 2024, the Southeast U.S. faces a challenging recovery effort punctuated by flooding and significant travel disruptions. However, consumers looking to modify their air travel plans without financial penalties may find themselves disappointed, experts indicate.
Eric Napoli, Chief Legal Officer at AirHelp, an online service aiding airline passengers, notes that U.S. air travelers have very limited rights to compensation during significant disruptions. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has cautioned residents against non-essential travel in the state’s western regions due to extensive road closures and catastrophic damage from downed trees and landslides.
While airlines are mandated to provide prompt refunds if they cancel or significantly change a flight, weather events like Hurricane Helene typically absolve carriers from further financial obligations. Concessions for affected passengers vary by airline and specific fare conditions. United Airlines, for example, is offering fee waivers and fare difference coverage for flights affected by the flooding, provided specific conditions are met. Similarly, American Airlines and Delta Airlines have outlined policies catering to passengers in Augusta, Georgia, and Asheville or Valdosta, respectively.
Travel insurance may not guarantee reimbursement unless a cancel-for-any-reason policy was purchased, and claims related to weather events are often not covered if the policy was bought after the storm was named. Credit card travel benefits may offer some relief, but they tend to have stringent and quick claim submission requirements.
Travelers are advised to read the fine print of their airline and insurance policies carefully and act swiftly to navigate the financial and logistical challenges posed by Hurricane Helene.
Original Story https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/01/with-hurricane-helene-disrupting-travel-heres-what-fliers-need-to-know.html
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