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| Photo by ramonberk/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images |
From a series of storms disrupting flights and cruise itineraries to a new U.S. travel advisory due to the Zika outbreak in Singapore, here are the travel headlines to keep an eye on this morning.
Hurricanes in Florida, Hawaii
A hurricane warning has been issued for portions of northwestern Florida as Tropical Storm Hermine continues to strengthen over the Gulf of Mexico, the Miami Herald reports. The storm is expected to near the coast by tonight, also sparking a tropical storm watch in effect from Georgia into South Carolina.
In the Pacific, the tropical storm warning for Hawaii County and Maui Count has been discontinued as now-Tropical Storm Madeline continues to move away from Hawaii, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
But that’s not all — also according to the Star-Advertiser, a second storm, Hurricane Lester, is bearing down on the state and could draw near to Hawaii over Labor Day weekend. As of 11:00 p.m. last night the storm had weakened, although it still packed 110mph sustained winds, and continued to move west toward Hawaii at 14 mph.
Airline Travel Waivers, Cruise Itinerary Changes
Major airlines are issuing travel waivers for travelers impacted by all three storm systems.
American Airlines has issued waivers for travel through the following airports:
- Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Florida (VPS)
- Gainesville, Florida (GNV)
- Jacksonville, Florida (JAX)
- Pensacola, Florida (PNS)
- Sarasota, Florida (SRQ)
- Tallahassee, Florida (TLH)
- Tampa, Florida (TPA)
- Savannah, Georgia (SAV)
- Fayetteville, North Carolina (FAY)
- Wilmington, North Carolina (ILM)
- Charleston, South Carolina (CHS)
- Florence, South Carolina (FLO)
- Columbia, South Carolina (CAE)
- Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (HHH)
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR)
Customers traveling through the above airports who had purchased a ticket by August 30 and are scheduled for travel through September 3 can have their travel change fee waived for travel through September 6.
- Hilo, Hawaii (ITO)
- Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL)
- Kahului, Maui, Hawaii (OGG)
- Kona, Hawaii (KOA)
- Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii (LIH)
Travelers flying through the above airports who purchased their ticket by August 31 for travel September 3 - 4 can have their travel change fee waived when rescheduling travel through September 7. Travelers who purchased their ticket by August 30 for travel through September 1 can reschedule through September 6.
JetBlue has issued a travel agent waiver code for flights departing today through September 3 to/from the following airports:
- Charleston, SC (CHS)
- Daytona Beach, FL (DAB)
- Fort Myers, FL (RSW)
- Jacksonville, FL (JAX)
- Orlando, FL (MCO)
- Sarasota, FL (SRQ)
- Savannah/Hilton Head, GA (SAV)
- Tampa, FL (TPA)
Customers may rebook their flights for travel through Friday, September 9 prior to the departure of their originally scheduled flight. Customers with cancelled flights may opt for a refund. Travel must have been booked on or before August 30.
For Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL); Kahului, Maui, Hawaii (OGG); Kona, Hawaii (KOA); and Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii (LIH), Delta is offering travelers a refund for the unused portion of their ticket if their flight is canceled or delayed 90 minutes or more. Customers may also make a one-time change without fee. Travel must be September 3 - 4 for tickets reissued on or before September 7 with travel to begin no later than September 7. Customers traveling today to, from or through Kahului, HI (OGG) or Kona, HI (KOA), can get a refund under the same conditions or rebook travel on or before September 6 for travel to begin no later than September 6.
In the southeastern U.S., Delta is offering the same deal for travel September 1 - 2 for tickets reissued on or before September 6 with travel to begin no later than September 6. The following airports are affected:
- Brunswick, GA (BQK)
- Charleston, SC (CHS)
- Destin Ft. Walton Beach, FL (VPS)
- Gainesville, FL (GNV)
- Jacksonville, FL (JAX)
- Myrtle Beach, SC (MYR)
- Panama City, FL (ECP)
- Pensacola, FL (PNS)
- Sarasota, FL (SRQ)
- Savannah, GA (SAV)
- Tallahassee, FL (TLH)
- Tampa, FL (TPA)
- Valdosta, GA (VLD)
- Wilmington, NC (ILM)
United Airlines has issued its own travel waiver for all three storms, as described in the table below:
| Storm | Travel to/from/through | Original travel date(s) | Additional Info |
| Tropical Storm Hermine |
|
September 1 - 3 | The change fee and any difference in fare will be waived for new flights departing on or before September 6, 2016, as long as travel is rescheduled in the same cabin (any fare class) and between the same cities as originally ticketed. |
| Hurricane Lester |
|
September 3 - 4 | The change fee and any difference in fare will be waived for new flights departing on or before September 7, 2016, as long as travel is rescheduled in the same cabin (any fare class) and between the same cities as originally ticketed. |
| Hurricane Madeline |
|
August 31 - September 1 | The change fee and any difference in fare will be waived for new flights departing on or before September 6, 2016, as long as travel is rescheduled in the same cabin (any fare class) and between the same cities as originally ticketed. |
For Southwest Airlines, customers traveling through September 3 can reschedule their flights to/from/through the following airports:
- Ft. Myers (RSW)
- Jacksonville (JAX)
- Orlando (MCO)
- Panama City Beach (ECP)
- Tampa (TPA)
As we reported yesterday, Island Air and Hawaiian Airlines have also agreed to waive change fees and fare differences in response to the storms. Additionally, Norwegian Cruise Line modified the itinerary of Pride of America.
We’ll keep updating cruise itinerary changes as they come in — stay tuned to www.travelagentcentral.com for details.
U.S. Issues Zika Travel Advisory for Singapore
Following the outbreak of locally-transmitted Zika virus in Singapore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new travel advisory, warning pregnant women not to travel to the destination.
Additionally, women who are trying to become pregnant should consult a doctor before traveling to Singapore or before their partner travels to Singapore.
Travelers who visit Singapore should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, as well as practice safe sex.
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