Despite travel alert, fliers find airlines not waiving fees for canceling or changing flights

WASHINGTON - A worldwide travel alert remains in effect due to increased terrorist threats. Even so, airlines are not budging for holiday travelers who may want to cancel or change their travel plans.

Extremists have targeted aviation services, large crowds and crowded places.

Van Weaver is cautious.

"I take it very seriously, but I still go on," said Weaver. "I trust our security and I keep going."

"It was heavy with security," said Tonya Wallace. "They're double checking. I had medicine so they had to run test on the medicine, make sure nothing was in the medicine, so it took a long time to get through security."

Even so, airlines are not waiving holiday travelers' fees for ticket cancellations.

"They have not allowed us to say, 'No, you can cancel,' or 'No, you can rebook within the year,'" said Vivianne Pommier. "There have been none of those issued by any of the continental U.S. carriers."

Pommier is the president of West End Travel based in Washington D.C.'s Northwest neighborhood.

She said travelers cannot individually request a waiver from an airline.

Pommier has been fielding calls from concerned holiday travelers. She said airlines have issued waivers in the past, but not now.

"9/11, there were waivers," she said. "Inclement weather such as storms in the area, yes, they will issue a waiver and they will give us the dates of travel that you must be ticketed on to get that waiver."

As travelers are greeted with heavily armed officers and heightened security this Thanksgiving holiday, the U.S. Department of State said there is a continuing threat from lone wolves inspired by major terrorist organizations.

"If you're nervous, please cancel," said Pommier. "What is a couple hundred dollars? I know that sounds like a small amount. It's not. To have you or your families and friends worried about you and you traveling and not feeling that you're enjoying your trip."