Cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages are largely useless if your vacation runs into a hurricane. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a 65 percent chance of a heavier than average hurricane season this year.
Peak hurricane season starts in August and ends in October. NOAA is forecasting a 70 percent likelihood of the following:
12 to 18 named storms
6 to 10 hurricanes
3 to 6 major hurricanes
The Gulf Coast and the Carolinas often have to deal with hurricanes which sometimes extend to the mid-Atlantic and even the Northeast.
The following are things you should consider when making vacation plans in areas that may be impacted by hurricanes:
Before making a non-cancellable hotel reservation find out how the hotel deals with severe weather problems. Though it may be more expensive, ideally you should reserve with a hotel that offers flexibility dealing with inclement weather, whether via a refund or switching your reservation dates to a later time.
If your flight is cancelled due to a hurricane, airlines generally waive change fees and assist in rebookings. However, catching later flights can be challenging given that airlines these days are often operating full flights.
If your travel dates can be changed, contact your airline as soon as hurricane warnings are issued. As soon as you hear about possible bad weather, stay up-to-date via your airlines website, electronic devices, or social media apps. You will find reservation and airport counters swamped and difficult to speak to a live person.
Coming up with an alternative itinerary in advance may prove smart in the event weather prevents you from going to your original planned destination. www.cheapfares.com