As Zika continues to spread in Miami Beach, JetBlue has extended their Zika waiver policy for tickets bought through August 31st.
Aerial spraying has indeed slowed Zika’s march in Wynwood, but there is heavy opposition to spraying in Miami Beach, despite confirmations that mosquitoes in South Beach have been found with Zika.
JetBlue has been by far the friendliest airline for Zika cancellations. They are not asking for proof of pregnancy and several DDFers have reported that JetBlue allowed them to rebook their scheduled travel to various cities in Florida to any other city in the US without paying any change fee or even a difference in fare! They will also refund your fare if requested.
Southwest always allows free cancellations and funds can be used for future travel, though they aren’t giving free refunds.
United has only updated their policy for the Singapore Zika outbreak, but from DDF reports people have been able to rebook Florida travel as well.
Delta hasn’t updated their official policy, but they ask that you call them to discuss cancellation options. In general Delta is pretty accommodating for changes.
American hasn’t updated their Zika policy for tickets bought after March. They also require a Doctor’s note that you are pregnant and DDF reports are that they are not being accommodating.
The CDC recommends that women wait at least 2 months to try to become pregnant after visiting an area with active Zika transmission.
Zika can actually a bigger concern for men. The CDC recommends that men wait at least half a year after contracting Zika before trying to conceive, though it may stay active in a man for a far longer timeframe than 6 months.
The major issue is that only 20% of people develop a reaction to Zika, so the only way to know if you are affected is to get tested. Even without symptoms you can still pass Zika onto someone else.
Most airlines will allow you to change travel plans with a Doctor’s note, so that’s a good place to start if you don’t get anywhere over the phone.
However airlines like Spirit are refusing to honor even a Doctor’s note for a Zika travel waiver.
Have you changed your travel plans due to Zika? Share your experience in the comments!
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17 Comments On "JetBlue Extends Zika Waiver, Roundup Of Zika Waiver Policies"
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In my experience, I’ve found that delta is the most flexible. I’ve cancelled three reservations with them and they never asked for a note. These were all award bookings so that may have made it a bit easier.
AA required a doctors note but after a week they refunded me my Citi TYP.
For lots of friends sometimes you just need to say your pregnant (even if not – depends on your comfortability with that).
Had a trip planned for clearwater. The day before we were to leave, the first case of zia broke out. Called jetblue, but they wouldnot let me change my destination without change of fare. Ended up cancelling.
@Anonymous:
Did you HUCA a few times?
any idea how long Jetblue will accomodate?
I’ve got tickets booked at end of Jan to FLL.. a little nervous but hard not to visit the grandparents.. may wait it out
@Barry:
As long as you booked by 8/31 it should be refundable.
Booked a trip to Fort myers florida early on in aug for end of aug.
Called jetblue a couple of days before my flight to see if i can be rerouted instead to california, first agent said only if i paid fare difference or can cancel for full refund.
I huca’d and the next agent happily rerouted all 5 passengers on itinerary and changed my dates for me for absolutely nothing!
@Go jetblue!:
Well done and kudos to JetBlue.
Wow that’s one f’d up voicemail… Never understood the hype over Zika. Been traveling all year this year and probably visited at least a dozen of countries with Zika with no issues. I’d still be more worried over dengue. But then again, I don’t plan on knocking anyone up on my travels…
@Dima:
If you’re not trying to have kids in the next year or so then it’s no big deal.
But look at the 5,000 kids with Microcephaly in Brazil who will need a lifetime of care and you can see what the big deal is.
Anyone know when mosquito season is over in Miami, or is it 12 months a year?
Why did you remove the first paragraph?
@Deal Guy:
I seem to get bit there all year-round, but there are more in the summer.
@???:
Upon further review I didn’t think it added anything of value to this post.
@Dan:
Dan – NOt sure if you understood my question.
I’ve got a flights booked (on August 30th 🙂 ) to go to FLL for end of Jan. they are awesome price ($159 that I booked with Citi TYP at 1.3pts/$ thanks to my Prestige card).
Do you think / know if I wait until say, end of December, to decide, they’ll still have the same policy. I called and the rep I got had no idea.
I’m I missing something is this voice note about zika or some other stories?
Kudos to Dan for posting in what he believes is right and not listening to all these scammers from lakewood
@Dan:
I did not.
I know this is a different topic – my credit score went down by 60 points over the past few months and I have no clue what it could be. I pay my bills on time and have no major debt. Is there a way to find out what happened?
We called United and were able to cancel a long planned flight to Miami next week. The United agent was totally cool and made it easy. Even after I spun her wheels for while looking for some alternative travel destinations.
IMO there is actually a lot that is still not known about Zika. On an unrelated but topical point, my wife and I were also really disturbed to hear that all the bees have died in Miami.
FWIW We’re going to Canada.