Airlines Suck

[mpnatx]

My first grandson was born last March. I bought a ticket to Chicago to meet my new grandson in August.
This diagnosis came right before I was going to leave and had to cancel.
Called the airline and they said ABSOLUTELY NO REFUND OR RESCHEDULE.
$500 down the drain and I still haven't met my grandson.
Screw them. I'm going to jump in the car one of these days and drive there!
Marty

 

[skipper66]

That is a bunch of b.s. Is there anyway you could get a note or something from the doctor or something confirming you had a medical emergency. I would think if you talked to someone really higher up at the airline that they would accomodate you. I would definitely keep trying and raise holy hell with them. It absolutely isn't right. What airline was this?

 

[Dusty7]

If you really can't travel, I would get a letter of medical emergency from my doctor and try the airline again, then try an ombudsman for one of the travel magazines, or a local TV station. Get your money back or give the airline as much bad as possible...

 

[AZmujer]

Hi:
We got the same response from an airline when we had to cancel a trip. We wrote a letter and got a doctor's note, and moved the fight up the food chain. Eventually we got a refund. Also, I don't know if you use American Express at all, but I usually use that credit card to book flights because they will also take the fight up for you. (In the other case, I had used a CC associated with that airline because I got double miles.)

I hope that helps.

 

[mpnatx]

American airlines. I don't have the energy to fight with them anymore. They just wouldn't budge.
Marty

 

[cheerleader]

FYI- southwest does not charge for canceling or changing reservations. Because of that,they are the only airlines we fly with.

 

[skipper66]

Yes, Southwest is great. My aunt got sick right around Christmas last year and couldn't fly. She gave her credit for another time.

 

[cheerleader]

When we have had to cancel, we actually got the money refunded,and once used airline points- which were also put back on our account. Also, when we flew down to Florida this fall with Joe's new power wheelchair, the baggage supervisor from southwest met with us personally at the gate to get instructions on how the PERMOBIL was to be shut off for travel- and personally escorted it to the cargo hold! It relieved a lot of anxiety my hubby had about protecting his new chair. Do I sound like a walking advertisement for them? Guess I am!

 

[Gembead]

If you paid by credit card, some of them have insurances built into them that you can claim on, I know my Visa card has a built in insurance. Just a thought
Love Gem

 

[mpnatx]

Thanks for all the ideas. This started me thinking about this again and have written a complaint to American Airlines.
I doubt it will get any attention. But it makes me feel better.
Marty

 

[4tloml]

Hope you told them the folks in your online ALS support forum (is that generic enough, moderators?) encouraged you to request that refund/reschedule or else move on to Southwest for your travel. Power in numbers. No one wants to look like an insensitive buffoon in public. (Well most don't--have seen a few who don't mind, though!)

 

[mpnatx]

Thank you all for your help and suggestions!

I received a response from American in regards to the complaint that I submitted online last night.

They apologized and said send us a letter from the Dr on his letter head with my diagnosis and they will reissue my ticket.

I guess the part about writing travel magazines and newspapers turned them around.
This made my day!
Thank you,
Marty

 

[Gembead]

Marty that is great news.
Love Gem