I'm going to call US about this, but before I do I thought I'd post here to see if anyone has any comments or tips.

My wife and daughter are currently overseas, having travelled on a *A award using US miles. Their return journey to the USA is in about 10 days, but yesterday it appears our daughter may have contracted an illness that will be in a contagious state (possibly requiring quarantine) during their return trip time frame. We will be able to provide full medical documentation (doctor's letter, etc.) that travel is not advisable (or perhaps even prohibited by airline rules).

How is US when it comes to changing a *A award (i.e., delaying the return for 1-2 weeks) in such a case? I know that on UA, they explicitly says 'no changes once travel has begun' on *A awards, is that consistent across the alliance? Any exceptions for this type of medical situation?

The award is USA-Central Asia, Economy Class (80K), all segments are on LH except the last (US Express flight from PHL), if that info makes a difference.

US is very flexible when it comes to awards; they will allow you to change the dates/ times as many times you want without charge (I booked EWR-SIN-TPE on SQ and then TPE-NRT-JFK on UA). They let me change SIN-TPE twice (as long as award seats through US are available). But, I had to bring the paper ticket to LGA personally to get it reissued. They told me that I could change the date after departure, but it had to be done AT A US OFFICE for a PAPER ticket. They implied that if it were a e-ticket, it wouldn't be a problem.

This was about a year ago, don't know if the merger made any difference. So, if your daughter has a e-ticket it should be just a matter of phoning to find another flight. A paper ticket- more dicey, maybe you could plead your case to the agent and get a comment added in the record locator. Or get her to send the paper ticket by express courier to you and get it changed...

US is very flexible when it comes to awards; they will allow you to change the dates/ times as many times you want without charge (I booked EWR-SIN-TPE on SQ and then TPE-NRT-JFK on UA). They let me change SIN-TPE twice (as long as award seats through US are available). But, I had to bring the paper ticket to LGA personally to get it reissued. They told me that I could change the date after departure, but it had to be done AT A US OFFICE for a PAPER ticket. They implied that if it were a e-ticket, it wouldn't be a problem.

This was about a year ago, don't know if the merger made any difference. So, if your daughter has a e-ticket it should be just a matter of phoning to find another flight. A paper ticket- more dicey, maybe you could plead your case to the agent and get a comment added in the record locator. Or get her to send the paper ticket by express courier to you and get it changed...

Agreed that US is very flexible (including same day changes) however the one caveat is that award availability has to be available on the flights that you are trying to switch to in the same class of service (and possibly same routing?). There should be no charge however.

I agree with the previous posters. Mileage tickets are very flexible, provided there are available seats. Even if it were a revenue ticket, US Airways will allow travel to be delayed free of charge in case of contagious illness backed up by a doctor's letter.

Thanks to all that replied. USAir was nice about allowing possible changes, but unfortunately they couldn't find any availability for later dates. (I posted another thread about that).

Hey Schistosomiasis, are you by chance a M*A*S*H fan? :D

i forgot to add, US also told me that if I wanted to change the carrier 9say, instead of flying TPE-NRT-JFK on UA fly on another star carrier, say Asiana, TPE-ICN-JFK, there would be a $50 or $75 fee. So you may want to try to see if there is availability on anoter Star Alliance carrier. Also, you may want to see if you can standby- sometimes seats are available even if award seats aren't. At least for domestic X fares (award ticket bucket) you are allowed to standby and they will allow you on any open flight. What is your routing?

Good luck. Also, why are you asking me if I am a M*A*S*H fan? :confused:

Good luck. Also, why are you asking me if I am a M*A*S*H fan? :confused:

In an old episode of MASH Hawkeye and BJ claimed a soldier had schistosomiasis to allow him to have a private tent with his wife. It's the one and only time I've ever heard the term, and since it's uncommon, I thought maybe you picked your FT name based on that obscure reference. (but apparently not!)

Guess I'll just file it under 'useless information clogging up my brain!' :)