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Hurricane Florence has been downgraded from a projected Category 4 to a Category 2 hurricane. But it looks like the storm has grown larger and is moving a bit slower, so there is expected to be more rainfall and flooding as a result. Lots of people in the storm’s path are wisely looking for a place to hunker down safely and let it pass.
To help those folks out, Airbnb is instituting their Open Homes policy and many Airbnb hosts are making their homes available for free in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. This will come as a pleasant surprise if you weren’t able to get a flight out.
Don’t forget also, if your travel has been interrupted by the storm, you might be covered under your credit card’s benefits!
Under the Open Homes program, you can book lodging for free (state & local taxes are waived too) until October 1, 2018. If you’re in need of free shelter, use this link to search for open rooms.
And if you are an Airbnb host and would like to lend a helping hand, you can sign-up your home for the program here.
Also, if you’re traveling with pets, you might find hotels that aren’t normally pet friendly to be more accommodating. Team member Scott was in Charlotte is this week and the SpringHill Suites he was staying at was temporarily accepting pets to help folks who are fleeing the flooding with their pets.
I called to verify and was told the pet fee is $100 (non-refundable) per stay. So if you’re looking for a place to escape with your furry family members, it is worth giving your hotel a call because they might be making exceptions for pets right now.
Note: There is some false information floating around on social media that hotels are required to accept pets in a FEMA disaster area. The claim references an actual law passed after Hurricane Katrina. However, the law doesn’t require hotels or motels to accept pets.
Hat tip: The Points Guy