Airlines and H1N1 / Swine Flu - Cancel or Change Flights Due to Swine Flu
Some tips and advice if you have booked your flights, are ready to travel, and are now infected with Swine flu. Also looking at possible options if you are afraid to travel for fear of contracting H1N1 / Swine flu.
What are the airline policies regarding H1N1 / Swine flu?
None specifically apply to swine flu.
Usually doctor's notes stating inability to travel are required to prevent change fees - therein lies the problem - if you have Swine flu, health authorities are advising to stay home and not go out to get medical attention in an effort to limit this strain of the flu unless you are showing serious symptoms such as trouble breathing or a sustained high fever.
But, airlines require documentation.
Slowly, a few airlines are conceding that they may take things on a case by case basis, but this provides no guarantees for being able to alter travel plans penalty-free.
Typical airline policies do permit airline agents to prevent a passenger from boarding if severe illness is suspected, but unless an airline employee can ascertain that in the mere seconds he or she may see the passenger, or unless another passenger makes the airline employee aware of an ill passenger, this may not always be an effective measure to prevent the spread of illness on flights.
As is common with airlines, the few times I have denied a passenger boarding due to illness, the passenger was rebooked without additional fees and required to undergo a medical assessment (which sometimes was available to be done right at the airport). Not exactly the most effective way to limit the spread of H1N1 for travelers and airline employees.
If you think you may, or know you have Swine flu
If you are symptomatic, the first line of defense is to call the airline and advise them and see if they can help rearrange your travels without penalties.
As Swine flu continues to take hold, perhaps more flexibility with the airlines will occur, and if you at least try and cancel your flights in advance you are more likely to have a chance at making changes without any fees. There is a level of appreciation when passengers do call in advance to advise they won't be flying.
Important to note - if you do cancel, make sure that the reservations agent notes it in your file that it was due to Swine flu and write down the booking reference (also referred to as record locator, booking number or passenger name record) the time and date of the call, and the name of the person you spoke with.
Should you get travel insurance?
Travel insurance may or may not cover Swine flu / H1N1 so check the terms of the policy. Even the cancel for any reason insurance (which costs more money) may not cover fear of contracting Swine flu or this flu itself. So make sure you do before you buy.
What are the airline policies regarding H1N1 / Swine flu?
None specifically apply to swine flu.
Usually doctor's notes stating inability to travel are required to prevent change fees - therein lies the problem - if you have Swine flu, health authorities are advising to stay home and not go out to get medical attention in an effort to limit this strain of the flu unless you are showing serious symptoms such as trouble breathing or a sustained high fever.
But, airlines require documentation.
Slowly, a few airlines are conceding that they may take things on a case by case basis, but this provides no guarantees for being able to alter travel plans penalty-free.
Typical airline policies do permit airline agents to prevent a passenger from boarding if severe illness is suspected, but unless an airline employee can ascertain that in the mere seconds he or she may see the passenger, or unless another passenger makes the airline employee aware of an ill passenger, this may not always be an effective measure to prevent the spread of illness on flights.
As is common with airlines, the few times I have denied a passenger boarding due to illness, the passenger was rebooked without additional fees and required to undergo a medical assessment (which sometimes was available to be done right at the airport). Not exactly the most effective way to limit the spread of H1N1 for travelers and airline employees.
If you think you may, or know you have Swine flu
If you are symptomatic, the first line of defense is to call the airline and advise them and see if they can help rearrange your travels without penalties.
As Swine flu continues to take hold, perhaps more flexibility with the airlines will occur, and if you at least try and cancel your flights in advance you are more likely to have a chance at making changes without any fees. There is a level of appreciation when passengers do call in advance to advise they won't be flying.
Important to note - if you do cancel, make sure that the reservations agent notes it in your file that it was due to Swine flu and write down the booking reference (also referred to as record locator, booking number or passenger name record) the time and date of the call, and the name of the person you spoke with.
Should you get travel insurance?
Travel insurance may or may not cover Swine flu / H1N1 so check the terms of the policy. Even the cancel for any reason insurance (which costs more money) may not cover fear of contracting Swine flu or this flu itself. So make sure you do before you buy.