American Express Membership Rewards - Car Accident and Non changeable ticket

I purchased two tickets for a friend and I about 2 months ago to Amsterdam using my american express.

She was in a horrible car accident about 3 weeks ago and I have been trying to change the ticket but it's saying that it is non changeable..

But she cannot fly at all and is restricted to a wheelchair. If we show a hospital or doctor's note would they be able to change it???

I don't want to have to go on this trip alone and she's going to lose out on $1000 of her money that she put into it.

I don't know what to do!!

Have you contacted the airline in question? I'm assuming you bought a non-refunable ticket. Many, if not most airlines will waive change penalties for situations such as yours. Amex would not be the appropriate route for resolving this.
Call the airline, hotels, etc. tell them your problem and change dates as appropriate. Some may offer refunds but that's a lot less likely.

And welcome to FT! :D

I would assume the airline would make an exception in your case.

If they don't, check your American Express Cardmember benefits brochure for information about any included travel insurance when you use your American Express to purchase a ticket. Some cards may include some coverage that will pay for changes or whatnot for emergency situations like this. If the airline won't budge, and if you do have this benefit with your particular card, I would call the provided number (or, if there is not one, the number on the back of your card and ask for the travel insurance department) and see what they can do.

I'm so sorry about your friend's accident, and hope she recovers quickly.

I would assume the airline would make an exception in your case.


Why? I thought the point of a nonrefundable ticket was that it was, well, nonrefundable. Pay the change fee. Buy trip insurance next time. As far as I can tell, not even death changes the fact that you bought a nonrefundable ticket.

... not even death changes the fact that you bought a nonrefundable ticket.

There are exceptions. American Airlines says...

Q: I have a nonrefundable American Airlines ticket that I am not going to use. Can I still get a refund?

A: Nonrefundable tickets generally cannot be refunded. However, exceptions may be available under the following circumstances:

Death of the passenger, immediate family member, or traveling companion.
Schedule changes implemented by American Airlines.
In addition, certain illnesses may be considered if your ticket included international travel (along with travel to or from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico).

Upon request taxes and charges not imposed by the airline may be refunded if the airline's obligation to remit the tax or charge depends upon use of the ticket for travel. Taxes and charges will not be refunded if the airline's obligation to remit the tax or charge arises from the collection of the tax or charge. All taxes and charges imposed by the United States government fall within this category and are not refundable.

http://www.aa.com/pubcontent/en_US/utility/FAQs/customerService_FAQ.jsp

I relaize that an injury is not the same as an illness.

Also, many inexperienced flyers do not understand that "nonrefundable" does not mean "unalterable", and may be suprised to find that much of the value of such a ticket can be applied to another trip.

Also, many inexperienced flyers do not understand that "nonrefundable" does not mean "unalterable", and may be suprised to find that much of the value of such a ticket can be applied to another trip.

Good point - thank you for the clarification.

[Moderator enters...]

I closed this thread because the topic isn't related to American Express. I cannot move it because we do not know the name of the carrier. If Angeldove returns and replies to my Private Message I can reopen.

[Moderator exits...]