Hurricane Sandy is still causing problems for a lot of people, including families who had planned vacations around the mid-winter public school breaks in New York and New Jersey.
Many schools closed for a few days around the storm and, as a result, have canceled the mid-winter break or changed the dates, leaving those with plane tickets and hotel reservations in a bit of a pickle.
To help out, several airlines, including JetBlue, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and others, are offering to waive change fees for customers whose travel plans have been affected.
Hawaiian Airlines customers ticketed by November 29 for travel between New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Hawai’i from February 15–24, 2013 will be allowed to change their reservations without charge, although refund and cancellation rules will apply.
JetBlue is waiving the change fee for customers traveling Thursday February 14 through Monday February 25th, to/from the New York City area (EWR, HPN, JFK, LGA & SWF). Airfare differences will still apply for the new dates, but travelers may also cancel their trips and receive travel bank credit without a fee.
United Airlines and American Airlines also have exception policies in effect for the New York City area for those with tickets for mid-winter break travel. American’s waivers covers February 15 – 24; United’s waiver covers February 14- 25th.
The change fee policy has also been relaxed on US Airways and, while I don’t see it on the their website, word is Delta Air Lines will be waiving change fees as well.
It’s a nice gesture on behalf of the airlines, but keep in mind that while the airlines are waiving the change fees, you’ll still get dinged for any differences in airfares, so check the details.