The 2024 hurricane season is in full swing and is expected to wreak havoc on travelers around the world due to flight delays and cancellations.
Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guya travel website, shared three ways travelers can protect their wallets throughout the season.
First, Kelly said, you need to get travel insurance. Last May, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The probability of an above-normal hurricane season was estimated at 85%. This assumption proved correct when Hurricane Beryl became the first category 5 storm form in the Atlantic Ocean in early July. The storm cause more than 1,300 flight cancellations and 1,000 delays in a single day.
“In most cases, hotels will not reimburse you in the event of a hurricane,” Kelly told Yahoo Finance. “It’s up to you to insure your trip.”
On average, travel insurance represents between 4 and 6% of the total cost of the trip, depending on Forbes Advisor Travel Insurance Rate AnalysisKelly advised travelers to purchase travel insurance from a third party rather than purchasing insurance through their airline.
Kelly's second piece of advice, however, is to urge travelers to book their flights directly with the airlines.
Although airlines allow passengers to change flights for free, United States Department of TransportationThe new rule requires airlines to provide prompt and automatic cash refunds to travelers when due, but travel agencies are not required to meet that same standard.
“I spoke with one of our subscribers today,” Kelly said. “They’re having a really hard time getting a flight change due to the hurricane through an online travel agency. So, whenever possible, book directly with the airlines.”
As a third tip, Kelly recommended travelers look to their credit cards, which often offer free built-in hurricane protection “when airlines don’t cover the cost.” While coverage varies from card to card, travel protections generally include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay insurance and lost baggage reimbursement. Forbes has outlined the best credit cards for travel insurancewith the Chase Sapphire Reserve card topping the list.
Learn more: Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Review: A Premium Travel Card With Luxury Benefits and Flexible Rewards
“If the airline doesn't give you what you want, always pick up the phone, call the credit card you used to purchase the ticket, because they can come help you with delays and cancellations and get you rebooked,” Kelly said.
Maya is an intern at Yahoo Finance.
