Flights booked to Maui - what are your rights? One airline leaves just five days to rebook
Those with vacations booked to Maui, Hawaii are being advised to postpone or cancel their travels. What are your rights?
A number of airlines and travel providers are making changes to their schedules amid the devastating wildfire ravaging Maui, Hawaii. Holidaymakers are being advised to cancel or postpone their holidays.
Airlines including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Alaska Airlines ramped up services to help travelers off the island. Hawaiian Airlines added flights to Maui to transport "essential personnel and first responders" as well as food, water, and other essentials.
Many major airlines have waived fare differences and cancellation penalties for those planning trips to Maui, but travelers should still speak with their carriers for information pertinent to themselves.
What are you entitled to if your flight to Maui is canceled?
What customers are entitled to depends on a number of factors, including who cancels the flight. If the airline cancels a domestic flight, travelers are usually entitled to a full refund.
That means travelers to Maui from the US will be entitled to a refund if their carrier cancels. However, this rule does not apply to international trips. However, if the customer makes the cancellation, this rule doesn't apply.
What to do if you have flights booked to Hawaii with...
Delta Airlines
Delta is allowing those who bought tickets to Maui before or on August 10 to reschedule subject to some rules. Rebooking will be free if travelers book their new flights to be on or before August 18. If travelers rebook after this date, they will have to pay a difference in fare.
Travelers who want to cancel entirely can get credit for another flight to take within a year.
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian is offering a waiver to those who want to chase their flight. The waiver offers a rescheduled flight at no extra cost and the ability to change the destination to some other places in Hawaii.
You need to have rebooked the flight by August 23 and begin travel by September 1. Travelers can cancel their flight with Hawaiian for flight credit or a refund.
United Airlines
United travelers can change or cancel tickets provided they booked on or before August 8. Travelers can rebook trips at no extra cost, if the new flight is on or between August 8 and 16 with the same departing and arriving cities.
American Airlines
American is waving change fees and offering full refunds. In a statement, the airline said it's "allowing customers whose travel plans are affected by the wildfires to rebook without fees, cancel or receive a refund. Customers can reschedule their travel on aa.com or by contacting Reservations at 800-433-7300 in the United States or Canada."
Southwest
Southwest customers with reservations to Maui can alter plans between August 9 to September 4. Travelers can book flights within 14 days of the original date for travel.
