Hurricane Harvey

Donate (and earn miles) to help Hurricane Harvey victims

The devastation in Texas caused by Hurricane Harvey is still being tallied, but it is clear many people lost their homes, their business, their livelihoods and, in some cases, their lives.

Donating money to groups such as the Red Cross is a great way to help right now and American Airlines is encouraging you to do so by offering you some bonus miles when you do.

Through September 24, 2017, AAdvantage members can earn 10 miles for every dollar they donate to the Red Cross, with a minimum donation of $25.  Donate here.

United Airlines is also encouraging you to donate to hurricane relief efforts and has set aside 3 million bonus miles and $100,000 to match contributions from Mileage Plus members made to the American Red Cross, AmeriCares, Airlink, or Operation USA through this fundraising page.

Donate $50-$99 to earn 250 bonus miles; $100-$249 to earn 500 bonus miles and donate $250 or more to earn 1,000 bonus miles.

 

 

 

Airlines waive change fees for Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey is on its way to Texas and airlines have issued travel advisories with notices about waived changed fees, refunds and cancellation notices. Here are some of the posted notices. Be sure to check with your airline for updates as cancellations, especially, are bound to increase as the storm makes it way into the region and affects schedules across the system.

Airports may stay open if even all or most flights are cancelled.

Here’s some information on changes/refund policies as of Friday morning

Alaska Airlines:

For travel August 25 to 27 to or from Austin (AUS), San Antonio (SAT) and Houston (IAH), the airline will waive the change and refund fees and the difference in the price of the ticket if new travel is booked and completed on or before September 3, 2017. Tickets must be exchanged or refunded by Aug. 28.

American Airlines  

The advisory affects travel to or from Austin, Texas (AUS), Beaumont / Port Arthur, Texas (BPT), Brownsville, Texas (BRO), College Station, Texas (CLL), Corpus Christi, Texas (CRP), Houston, Texas, (HOU) Houston, Texas (IAH), Lake Charles, Louisiana (LCH), McAllen / Mission, Texas (MFE), and San Antonio, Texas (SAT)  August 25 t0 27.  New travel is allowed through August 30, 2017.

Delta Air Lines 

Delta Air Lines’ travel advisory affects travel to or from Austin, TX (AUS), Houston, TX – Hobby (HOU), Houston, TX – Intercontinental (IAH) and San Antonio, TX (SAT) for flights scheduled August 26-27. Rebooked travel must begin and be rebooked no later than August 29.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines’ advisory covers travel to or from Austin (AUS), San Antonio (SAT), Houstin (IAH) and New Orleans (MSY) through August 27. New travel must take place by September 18; origin and destination cities may be changed.  More detail here.

JetBlue

JetBlue is waiving change and cancellation fees and fare differences for customers traveling Friday August, 25 through Saturday, August 26, 2017  to or from Austin, TX (AUS), Houston, TX (HOU) and New Orleans, LA (MSY).

Southwest Airline

Cities covered by the Southwest Airlines travel advisory include Austin (AUS)Corpus Christi (CRP), Houston (HOU), Harlingen (HRL), and San Antonio (SAT) for travel scheduled August 24 through 28. Customers may rebook or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel) without paying any additional charge.

United Airlines

United Airlines’ travel advisory covers travel to or from Austin, TX (AUS), Brownsville, TX (BRO),College Station, TX (CLL), Corpus Christi, TX (CRP), Harlingen, TX (HRL),Houston, TX (IAH),McAllen, TX (MFE) and San Antonio, TX (SAT). Change and cancellation fee waivers are offered for travel scheduled August 25 to 27.  New travel must take place on or before August 30, 2017.