More travel firms offer hurricane 'guarantees'

[JoeyandDavid]

Amid this week's kickoff of the Atlantic hurricane season and predictions of another unusually active year, more travel companies are trying to reassure skittish vacationers by launching storm-related guarantees or waivers that let them change plans without penalty.

New this year: policies from Apple Vacations, Worry-Free Vacations and CheapCaribbean.com, operators that specialize in the Caribbean and Mexico. Similar confidence boosters are offered by such companies as TNT Vacations, Club Med, Sandals, and SuperClubs.

But you'll need to read the fine print, notes About.com's honeymoon expert Susan Breslow Sardone. She advises resort-bound couples to "pre-negotiate what happens if their honeymoon is a wash-out," and use a travel agent who can advocate on their behalf.

Apple promises vacationers who buy an insurance policy ($49.99 or $69.99) at the time of booking a package and stay at select hotels in Mexico, Jamaica or the Dominican Republic between Aug. 15 and Oct. 31 that "if a hurricane interrupts your vacation, whether for one day or several, you get a free replacement vacation." But, the terms and conditions note, the hotel must interrupt full operations for at least 24 hours, and hurricane warnings don't apply.

Worry-Free Vacations, which sells charter packages from a half-dozen U.S. cities to Mexico and Jamaica, says customers can rebook their trips if the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane watch or warning for their destinations. But while they can switch to another location for free if they leave within seven days before or after their original departure, less flexible travelers must pay $50 per person for a "gift-card refund." The card is valid for another Worry-Free destination, but the trip must be booked within 60 days and is based on availability.

CheapCaribbean.com's new "Free Your Mind" plan, included in each package, features traditional insurance plus a one-time change or cancellation waiver. Travelers who give at least three hours' notice, for any reason, get a space-available credit voucher redeemable for another package within a year of the cancellation date.

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