We purchased tickets to Cancun, Mexico for 7/15-7/22. Within the last couple of weeks there has been nummerous reports about the swine flu outbreak which is being acquired in Mexico and brought back home. It is spreading rapidly in the U.S. Appartently it is a strain that the CDC is unfamilar with. This particular type of flu has caused death many cases and is creating somewhat of a panic, not only in Mexico but other coutries as well. Six million masks were passed out to Mexican residents. (Kind of reminds you of SARS.) Although the U.S. Hasn't advised against travel to Mexico they are urging you to take precautions. Multiple airlines, including American, United, Continental, US Airways, Mexicana and Air Canada, are waiving their usual penalties for changing reservations for anyone traveling to, from, or through Mexico, but have not cancelled flights.
We decided against going to a country where you have to worry about contracting a virus and dying while on vacation. I contacted Spiritair at their 800 number and asked if we could change our reservations without any penalty because of this health risk. They responded by saying they were not aware of this flu situation and that I would have to pay the penalty of $100 per person. When I asked what planet they were on, I was informed that their call center was in India. (Guess there's no CNN there) Given the heavy accents, communicating was challenging at best. When I asked to speak to someone in the states with more authority they responsed with an adamant no. I googled and found a phone number in Miramar Florida and will be contacting them today.
Needless to say I will never travel on this airline again.
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