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Storm's slow approach keeps travelers guessing
Some people trying to flee the storm are pushing back their hotel reservations or changing their itineraries.
By LOUIS HAU and EBONY WINDOM
Published October 22, 2005
Wilma's excruciatingly slow speed created headaches not only for residents making plans to flee the storm but also for lodging establishments taking their reservations for accommodations.
Cindy Lolly, front-desk manager at the Tahitian Inn on South Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, said her establishment was originally sold out for today.
The anticipated arrival of Wilma, however, prompted dozens of cancellations from guests up in the Northeast who were calling off trips to Florida.
That made it easier for the inn to accommodate guests from southwest Florida who wanted to push back their reservations by a day or two to Sunday or Monday, Lolly said. "It gets crazy," she said.
The phone continued to ring Friday at Master's Inn off Interstate 75 in Wesley Chapel.
"Everyone's switching their reservations from Saturday to Sunday. Some think the hurricane's not going to hit till Monday," said front desk manager Vicky Reyes.
Normally, guests would face a penalty for changing reservations on such short notice. But under the circumstances, the hotel has been waiving the fee.
Some travel agents have had to cope with requests for last-minute changes to customer itineraries. Handling changes "has not been pain-free, but it hasn't been as painful as last year," when several hurricanes hit the state in quick succession, said Donna Speltz of Travel Specialists Inc. in Carrollwood.
Major airlines flying out of Tampa International Airport - including American, Delta, United, JetBlue and Southwest - have temporarily suspended their usual penalties for flight changes.
Those who need to change their travel plans should keep these things in mind:
If you plan to make a last-minute change to out-of-town hotel reservations, you may have to pay a cancellation penalty. Some, but not all, establishments are waiving such penalties.
If you have airline reservations that you need to change, there's a good chance you'll be free to change your itinerary without the usual penalty. Check with your airline to see how it is handling flight changes and cancellations.
[Last modified October 22, 2005, 01:14:12]
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