What to know if you're staying at a hotel impacted by Hurricane Milton
The Tampa Bay area and other parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast are bracing for Hurricane Milton's impact.
Travelers with near-term plans to visit the region are advised to monitor weather conditions and precautions with any upcoming reservations, as the storm is shaping up to be one of the strongest to hit Florida in a century.
TPG contacted each of the major hotel groups regarding policies and closures ahead of Hurricane Milton’s anticipated landfall later this week. If you have an upcoming booking for a hotel in the storm’s projected path, call ahead to that hotel for property-specific information on potential closures or disruptions to service.
Floridians evacuating their homes and in need of shelter can access emergency accommodation modules established on Expedia and Priceline. These modules provide real-time availability and lodging resources for affected Floridians and visitors.
Florida officials have also worked with the hotel industry to waive or relax any no-pet policies so that Hurricane Milton evacuees can safely bring their pets with them to hotels throughout the state, according to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office.
Check below for specific policies from some of the major hotel groups.
Hyatt
At this time, the majority of Hyatt hotels in the areas are open and operating, with the exception of Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort, Hyatt Regency Sarasota, Hyatt House Tampa Airport/Westshore, Hyatt Place Tampa Airport/Westshore and Hyatt House Naples/5th Avenue, which have temporarily suspended normal hotel operations until further notice. Hyatt hotels across impacted regions will continue to closely monitor the storm and support guests and colleagues as needed, a Hyatt spokesperson told TPG.
"Hyatt hotels across Florida are working to implement emergency preparedness procedures in an effort to ensure the safety and wellbeing of guests and colleagues," the spokesperson added. "Some of these preparations, which vary by property, include waiving cancellation fees. We are also in touch with future guests to inform them of the situation and potential closures due to mandatory state-issued evacuations."
Travelers seeking to change travel plans or inquire about hotel availability may visit Hyatt.com, use the Hyatt mobile app, or contact Hyatt Customer Care at 1-800-233-1234.
Hilton
“Hilton is closely monitoring Hurricane Milton with the safety and security of our guests and Team Members as our top priority,” a Hilton spokesperson said. “Hilton properties in the storm’s projected path are implementing hurricane preparedness plans and emergency procedures and remain in close contact with local authorities and tourism partners. For guests whose travel plans may be impacted by Hurricane Milton, modification and cancellation penalties may be waived. Guests are encouraged to visit Hilton.com or contact 1-800-HILTONS for the latest information on specific properties.”
IHG Hotels & Resorts
“As Hurricane Milton progresses, IHG continues to prioritize the safety and comfort of our guests and colleagues,” an IHG spokesperson told TPG via email. “While some IHG branded properties along the Florida coast are closed due to regional mandatory evacuation notices (and will remain closed until hotel leaders and local authorities deem it safe to resume operations), other properties will remain open to accommodate recovery workers and those seeking relief and comfort.”
During the storm, IHG is requiring all hotels in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina to welcome pets free of charge, regardless of standard policy. Hotels in these areas are also required to waive cancellation fees for guests wishing to make changes to their reservations.
IHG also encourages guests to contact hotels directly to confirm bookings, property status and service availability.
Disney
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will temporarily close beginning at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 9. They are likely to remain closed until Sunday, October 13, Disney officials posted on a company web page monitoring Hurricane Milton.
Officials in Osceola County — which includes the cities of Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Celebration and parts of Walt Disney World — imposed a curfew from 8 p.m. Wednesday through 10 a.m. Thursday. Guests at Disney properties within Osceola County will have to remain in their rooms during this timeframe, the New York Times reports.
The company will not enforce cancellation policies for dining and other experiences until further notice.
Choice Hotels
A Choice Hotels spokesperson told TPG the company is underway with the following precautionary measures:
- We are in contact with properties across the area that Milton is expected to cross paths with.
- We have area directors in Bradenton, Cape Coral and Orlando that are providing assistance to hotels in the area and have other area directors on-call.
- We are in the process of creating a comprehensive short and long-term needs assessment and support plan for all of our impacted hotels.
- Our Global Sales team is providing seven day-a-week assistance to fulfill requests from aid organizations and government support agencies for needed housing to support the local community.
- Area directors and revenue managers will be maintaining contact with hotels in Florida to engage in participation in the FEMA ELA, Emergency Lodging Assistance program
Spokespeople with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Choice Hotels didn’t reply in time for publication, but this story will be updated regularly as additional information is made public.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.