Storms Impact Travel In Many Ways
This is a topic where I can relate to both sides. With 30 years in the travel industry, I've had my share of reaccomodating airline passengers when storms force cancellations of flights. These same weather events can also postpone or even cancel games. I have also experienced the other side, like the time we spent our vacation in a temporary shelter in Cancun during Hurricane Wilma. Then there was 2008 when we were just about to walk down the street towards the Georgia Dome. That's when a tornado made it's way through downtown Atlanta prior to UK's opening game of the SEC tournament. Weather events like these cause quite a bit of stress and confusion as it leaves many with reservations, and game tickets, wondering what to do. Tropical Storm Harvey has caused catastrophic flooding in the Houston area,and will also leave it's impact on the Houston area sports schedule.
What Should You Do?
You have money invested in flights, hotel rooms, and game tickets, and then Mother Nature changes all of those plans. Disruptive weather conditions occasionally prompt airlines to offer travel waivers. These waivers generally allow for changes without charging the $200 change fee on your non refundable ticket. Most of these waivers include a stipulation that the ticket be changed within a few days of when the waiver was issued. They will also state that those travel dates can be changed, but usually need to be within a week or two of the original dates. Some situations where game dates, or even the locations. are changed, should be looked at on a case by case basis. It may be left up to the customer representative in those cases, but I find that common sense usually prevails.
What About My Tickets?
When the weather causes public safety and accessibility concerns, sometimes the game needs to be cancelled or rescheduled. It's not what you want to hear when you've already shelled out big bucks for the event. In the event of cancellations, Ticketmaster and StubHub would both offer a refund. When games dates, or locations, get changed, that's when things get a little tricky. If the buyer is not able to attend the event on the new date, the decision to refund lies with the team or venue. Stubhub would recommend that the buyer just resell the ticket on their site if they could not attend.
We Still Can't Control The Weather
We may have domed stadiums, but devestating storms like Katrina, and now Harvey, can shut down an entire region. If you're the fan who bought those plane tickets to travel to see the big game, it may require some flexibility and a whole lot of patience to make that plan happen. Not making it to the game because of Mother Nature can be frustrating but people in Houston probably aren't asking each other "what time is the first pitch of the Astros' game?" Sometimes a little perspective can go a long way. Thanks for reading.
