US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Change Fees/Illness

Found out something interesting today; US Airways will not waive the $100 change fee for cases involving illness short of hospitalization. Had the flu earlier this week and was not fit or able to travel. I called reservations regarding this matter and was told that I had to eat the change fee anyway. I think this stinks and I'm going to write Consumer Affairs about it. Wondering if anybody else has run across this policy. While I understand the potential for fraud here, some of us do get sick from time to time, especially if one is on the road a lot.

I think you hit it right on the nose...Fraud.... I'm sure you were sick and should not be flying, but a lot of people would be using this to get refunds and out of change fee's..... Although unfort. that they would not wave it, maybe they could give the preferred members 1 change fee waiver or something, but again, w/all of the bonus mile scamming that goes on, this would be a new source of scamming for people who felt like they could get past the system.


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"We are dimming the cabin lights to enhance the beauty of our flight crew" - Actual Quote from USAirways F/A: CLT-BNA.

Chairmans: USAir, Gold: NWA, Diners, HH, Gold: Marriott

If you write to Consumer Affairs and include a note from the doctor saying you shouldn't be flying for either your health or the health of your fellow passengers I'm sure they'll refund your money (or at least give you a voucher in the amount).

Otherwise, if you get anything I think it'll be because you're a US1 in the making (Right?)

Thanks for the ideas; I would have no problem just getting a credit that I could use for future flights -- and I like the idea of giving elites a couple of freebies. I'm waiting for a lawsuit over this under the ADA; somebody with cancer, AIDS or other disabling chronic condition is gonna sue some airline over this. I've dragged my sick butt on some flights that I absolutely had to get on, but I don't like the incentive here for people to be flying when they are contagious.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by us2:
Thanks for the ideas; I would have no problem just getting a credit that I could use for future flights -- and I like the idea of giving elites a couple of freebies. I'm waiting for a lawsuit over this under the ADA; somebody with cancer, AIDS or other disabling chronic condition is gonna sue some airline over this. </font>

Let's hope not. The world is litigious enough already.


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by us2:
I've dragged my sick butt on some flights that I absolutely had to get on, but I don't like the incentive here for people to be flying when they are contagious.</font>

I agree with you.

I had to cancel an LAX-RDU RT on US 2 years ago due to a nasty flu (no hospitalization). I got a short note from my doc saying 'patient has flu and ought not to travel by plane' and US gave me a full refund.