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Airlines offer travel waivers as heat waves scorch the US

David Slotnick
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David Slotnick is a senior aviation business reporter at TPG. He covers anything and everything to do with the business of running an airline.
June 28, 2021
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4 min read
California Faces New Round of Record Heat This Weekend
Airlines offer travel waivers as heat waves scorch the US
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The Pacific Northwest hit all-time high temperatures Sunday and Monday, with temperatures expected to climb as high as 114-degrees, smashing every historical record.

The heat wave, which led to some power outages and dangerous conditions in a region where air conditioning is not the norm, was poised to continue through Monday before shifting westward. The Northeast was also expected to undergo a separate heatwave at the beginning of the week.

As a result of the heat wave, which has seen air-conditioned hotel rooms snatched up and some events canceled, at least two airlines are offering a travel waiver for people flying into the affected region.

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While most U.S. airlines permanently eliminated change fees during the pandemic, the travel waivers offer additional flexibility to those with basic economy tickets.

Here are the details to know.

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American Airlines

American issued a waiver for travelers flying to, from or through the following airports through Tuesday, June 29:

  • Billings, Montana (BIL)
  • Boise, Idaho (BOI)
  • Bozeman, Montana (BZN)
  • Eugene, Oregon (EUG)
  • Eureka Arcata, California (ACV)
  • Idaho Falls (IDA)
  • Jackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC)
  • Kalispell, Montana (FCA)
  • Medford, Oregon (MFR)
  • Missoula, Montana (MSO)
  • Portland, Oregon (PDX)
  • Redmond / Bend, Oregon (RDM)
  • Reno, Nevada (RNO)
  • Sacramento, California (SMF)
  • Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC)
  • Seattle, Washington (SEA)
  • Spokane, Washington (GEG)

Change fees and fare differences will be waived for passengers who rebook for travel by July 2. Passengers can also rebook for later, as long as the new flight is within one year of the original flight, but fare differences will apply. Origin and destination cities and cabin must stay the same.

Changes can be made online through American's website, or by calling Reservations (although hold times may be extremely long).

United Airlines

United is also offering a waiver to passengers scheduled to fly to, from or through the following cities through Tuesday, June 29:

  • McKinleyville, California (ACV)
  • Boise, Idaho (BOI)
  • Bozeman, Montana (BZN)
  • Cody, Wyoming (COD)
  • Eugene, Oregon (EUG)
  • Everett, Washington (PAE)
  • Great Falls, Montana (GTF)
  • Helena, Montana (HLN)
  • Idaho Falls, Idaho (IDA)
  • Jackson, Wyoming (JAC)
  • Kalispell, Montana (FCA)
  • Medford, Oregon (MFR)
  • Missoula, Montana (MSO)
  • Moab, Utah (CNY)
  • North Bend, Oregon (OTH)
  • Pasco, Washington (PSC)
  • Portland, Oregon (PDX)
  • Redding, California (RDD)
  • Redmond, Oregon (RDM)
  • Reno, Nevada (RNO)
  • Sacramento, California (SMF)
  • Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC)
  • Seattle, Washington (SEA)
  • Spokane, Washington (GEG)
  • Twin Falls, Idaho (TWF)
  • Vernal, Utah (VEL)
  • West Yellowstone, Montana (WYS)

United's terms are virtually the same as American's.

Change fees and fare differences will be waived for passengers who rebook for travel by July 2. Origin and destination cities and cabin must stay the same. Changes can be made on United's website by viewing your reservation.

Featured image by Bloomberg via Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.