Companies adjust policies as virus scrambles travel plans

The fast-spreading coronavirus is forcing travelers to reconsider their trips.

As of Tuesday, the virus has sickened more than 92,000 people and 3,100 have died. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding all nonessential travel to China, Iran, South Korea and Italy, and says older adults or those with chronic medical conditions should postpone travel to Japan.

In response to this new reality, some airlines and hotels are adjusting their usual cancellation fees. And more people are beefing up their travel insurance coverage.

Here is how the industry is managing the crisis right now:

AIRLINES: The situation is fluid and flight cancellations and policies differ, so travelers should check airlines' web sites for updated information.

Most major airlines — including Delta, Emirates, Lufthansa, United and American —- have suspended flights to mainland China through the end of April. Some have also suspended flights to Hong Kong, while others are flying there but on reduced schedules. Airlines have also reduced or suspended some flights to Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul and northern Italy. Delta and American have suspended service to Milan through the end of April. Delta's summer flights between New York and Venice, which usually begin April 1, have been pushed back to May 1.

Airlines will refund money for canceled flights, waive change fees for one-time itinerary changes or let customers use the value of the ticket toward future travel. But watch the fine print: If travelers switch to a flight this summer, for example, they could be charged the difference in the fare between their old flight and the new flight.

To ease travelers' minds, some airlines — including British Airways, Delta, United, JetBlue and American — are waiving future change...