Tropical storm dampening Myrtle Beach vacation? How you can legally get a refund
Tropical Storm Imelda has thrown a wet blanket on many planned trips to the Myrtle Beach area this week.
The storm, although not expected to make landfall in the Carolinas, will bring rain to the Grand Strand at least through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Before it was determined what path Imelda would take, vacationers were trying to decide whether to cancel their beach trip or risk it and come anyway so as not to lose their money spent on reservations.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected for the Myrtle Beach area on Monday and Tuesday. About 1 to 2 inches of rain is expected along the coast, and there is still the potential for flooding in low-lying areas, the NWS said.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Friday in preparation for the potential impacts of Imelda.
But even with that state declaration, it doesn’t mean you are automatically entitled to a refund or credit if you decide to cancel your reservation.
There is no state law requiring businesses to provide full refunds when a state of emergency has been declared, according to the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.
Basically, it’s all left up to the reservation or rental agreement you signed with the hotel, rental company or booking agent.
“In the event that a major storm does threaten our region, it’s important for visitors to know that most hotels and lodging businesses in the Myrtle Beach area offer fair cancellation policies, even though state law doesn’t require them to do so ,” said Marlane White, director of communications for Visit Myrtle Beach, by email. “Many properties allow for a full or partial refund, or the option to apply deposits toward a future stay if cancellations are made before their cutoff window. In the case of hurricanes or evacuation orders, some properties will extend flexibility beyond their normal policy. “
South Carolina does have a Vacation Rental Act that includes landlord and tenant responsibilities, rental agreements. and legal protections. However, the act allows owners to set their own cancellation policies.
The good news about the act is that the cancellation terms must be stated in the contract. That includes how much money, if any, you could get back if you decide to cancel.
Cancellations and refunds from Airbnb rentals are based on the listing’s cancellation policy. However, Airbnb states that if large-scale events prevent the completion of a reservation, its Major Disruptive Events Policy may apply. This policy allows renters to cancel their reservation and receive a refund or travel credit regardless of the reservation’s cancellation policy.
The policy outlines what is covered and what is not, including unforeseen natural disasters and severe weather events, such as a tsunami or tornado. However, that doesn’t include weather events that are “foreseeable” in certain locations such as hurricane season.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, but most hurricanes and tropical storms tend to make landfall in South Carolina in August and September. Therefore, if you make an Airbnb reservation during this time, you may be ineligible for a refund.
But there are some things you can do, Visit Myrtle Beach and the state Consumer Affairs said.
Review your contract. The terms and conditions of your reservation or rental agreement will help you determine how cancellations are handled by the hotel, rental company, or booking agent. If no refunds are provided for in the contract, you may contact the business to ask for an exception given the circumstances.
White said Visit Myrtle Beach encourages travelers to review the terms of their reservations carefully before booking, including cancellation clauses, force majeure provisions and refund policies.
Book directly with lodging property. Visit Myrtle Beach recommends booking directly with the lodging property rather than third-party travel sites when possible, White said. By booking direct, guests have a clearer understanding of the cancellation terms and a better opportunity to work directly with the property if issues arise.
Travel insurance. Purchase travel insurance when it’s offered as this provides valuable peace of mind, protecting travelers against last-minute disruptions caused by severe weather, illness or other unforeseen events, White said.
If you purchased a travel insurance policy, you should review your policy and contact your travel insurance company to see if you can recoup your money.
Talk to your credit card provider. If you use a credit card to make your reservation, you may have some options available through your credit card provider.
File a complaint. You may also file a complaint with the state Department of Consumer Affairs, which can assist through voluntary mediation services.
The bottom line is to make sure you check the cancellation policy before you book a reservation.
This story was originally published September 29, 2025 at 12:19 PM.
