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Maui wildfires: What to do if you had a trip planned to Hawaii?
If you’re planning a holiday on Maui it would be worth checking if you really want to go. All advisories warn against it.
A state of emergency has been declared on Hawaii as the wildfires have cut a swathe through Maui. The government of the islands made an announcement discouraging non-essential air travel to Maui.
If you have a trip planned to Hawaii, it’s crucial to prioritise your safety. If you have a hotel booked then check refund options as well as travel insurance. Airbnb said its extenuating circumstances policy has gone into effect for parts of Hawaii, allowing full refunds as well as cancellations without penalty.
Though Maui is pretty much a non-starter, the other islands are open for travel.
What is happening with commercial flights?
Contact your airline to see what refunds they are offering. If they won’t offer a refund or credit for another flight, check your travel insurance policy to see what they offer.
American Airlines
American announced its intention to maintain all originally scheduled flights to and from Maui.
Additionally, the airline is providing customers whose travel plans are impacted by the wildfires with the option to reschedule their flights without incurring any fees.
Alaska Air
Alaska has a travel policy that allows customers to change their flights at no cost through 31 August or cancel them in exchange for a travel voucher.
It’s fleet is helping with rescue efforts on the islands.
United Airlines
United has scrapped commercial flights to the island and, like Alaska Air, is using its planes to evacuate Maui residents off the island.
“We’ve canceled today’s inbound flights to Kahului Airport so our planes can fly empty to Maui and be used as passenger flights back to the mainland,” the airline said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch.