American, United Offering Penalty-Free Cancellations Because of Zika

American Airlines and United Airlines will allow fliers to cancel trips to Zika-affected areas such as Mexico and much of South America without paying a penalty fee. Both of the airlines made the announcements this week in light of the ongoing Zika-outbreaks in South and Central American countries. Zika is a mosquito-borne virus rapidly spreading across the Americas that is connected to neurological birth defects.

United will allow fliers traveling to regions listed by the CDC to rebook at a later date or receive a full refund. American will allow fliers to receive a full refund if they provide a doctor’s note explaining that they are unable to travel to one of four cities—San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, Panama City, or Guatemala City—because of pregnancy. Two major Latin American carriers—LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines—both announced similar policies this week.