Travel Tips: Hurricane Season Brings Both Travel Steals and Destination Doubts
By: Marci Manley and Sean Leach
Updated: August 31, 2011
Hurricane season often keeps travel agent Julie Mitchell on the phone, rescheduling for clients headed to the coasts. And Hurricane Irene has caused her own chaos.
"We had one family, they were planning on going to Boston and doing a driving trip, but unfortunately with the whole city being evacuated, at the spur of the moment we basically got them a new destination," she said.
For those traveling without the help of an agent, the wind, rain, and damage can keep them on the phone for hours, ending up out of luck.
"It can definitely be challenging, because if someone's booked on the internet or on the airlines, the airlines had like a two hour hold time last Friday," Mitchell said.
According to Mitchell, the biggest item on your to-do list between booking a flight and renting a room should be investing in insurance.
"During September and October, which are the predominant months for hurricanes, we always recommend travel insurance," she said.
From flight delays to lost luggage, it can save you some cash and allow you to reschedule your stay.
It is true some spots on the East Coast are still cleaning up Irene's aftermath, but others remain untouched.
"I'm sure there are lots of great deals out there, because they're aggressive and they want to get business," Mitchell said.
Several resorts are offering steals and "hurrication" deals to fill slots left open by cancellations. For instance, a a last minute Labor Day trip to Duck, North Carolina, you could save up to 40 percent.
"It's a huge market loss for them in the prime season, so they really want to be aggressive in getting that business," Mitchell said.
But keep in mind, Kattia is beginning to brew out in the Atlantic. Mitchell has to keep an eye on the radar and be ready to reschedule during hurricane season. She suggests travelers do the same.
To get in contact with Mitchell about your travel plans, click here.
"We had one family, they were planning on going to Boston and doing a driving trip, but unfortunately with the whole city being evacuated, at the spur of the moment we basically got them a new destination," she said.
For those traveling without the help of an agent, the wind, rain, and damage can keep them on the phone for hours, ending up out of luck.
"It can definitely be challenging, because if someone's booked on the internet or on the airlines, the airlines had like a two hour hold time last Friday," Mitchell said.
According to Mitchell, the biggest item on your to-do list between booking a flight and renting a room should be investing in insurance.
"During September and October, which are the predominant months for hurricanes, we always recommend travel insurance," she said.
From flight delays to lost luggage, it can save you some cash and allow you to reschedule your stay.
It is true some spots on the East Coast are still cleaning up Irene's aftermath, but others remain untouched.
"I'm sure there are lots of great deals out there, because they're aggressive and they want to get business," Mitchell said.
Several resorts are offering steals and "hurrication" deals to fill slots left open by cancellations. For instance, a a last minute Labor Day trip to Duck, North Carolina, you could save up to 40 percent.
"It's a huge market loss for them in the prime season, so they really want to be aggressive in getting that business," Mitchell said.
But keep in mind, Kattia is beginning to brew out in the Atlantic. Mitchell has to keep an eye on the radar and be ready to reschedule during hurricane season. She suggests travelers do the same.
To get in contact with Mitchell about your travel plans, click here.
