Bereavement rules
Mar 4, 2015, 5:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 30
Bereavement rules
I have a flight this Friday (return Sunday) and I am looking to change a flight's return date for bereavement purposes. I am trying to get ahold of customer service but the phone number does not work, and the canadian number said it wasn't within hours of operation. Do you know if US Airways would waive a change fee for bereavement purposes? I would hope they would considering I purchased a $800 last minute ticket for this past weekend aand another flight for $600 this upcoming weekend.
I have tried changing the return flight online, but it charges the change fee. Despite the flight being $100 cheaper than my original flight, to change the flight it is calculating it to be another $350. At this point, it would be cheaper to get a one way ticket on United. Do you think these guys will budge at all or should I just give United my business and purchase the one way ticket?
I have tried changing the return flight online, but it charges the change fee. Despite the flight being $100 cheaper than my original flight, to change the flight it is calculating it to be another $350. At this point, it would be cheaper to get a one way ticket on United. Do you think these guys will budge at all or should I just give United my business and purchase the one way ticket?
Mar 4, 2015, 5:23 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,663
I am fairly certain that there is no leniency on ticket changes - even for bereavement reasons.
Mar 4, 2015, 5:59 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 30
Any reason that I'm not thinking of to change the flight rather than no show and purchase a one way ticket?
Mar 4, 2015, 6:10 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
many (most?) airlines , including AA, do offer a waiver of fees in situation of a death of a close family member and normally is listed in fare rules as a specific exception
Looking at a US fare at random , cannot see a waiver listed , but would suggest it would be worth calling US and finding whether US will waive the change fee in this situation. You should still expect to pay any fare difference that may apply even if the change fee was waived
Worth calling before purchasing a new ticket elsewhere
Looking at a US fare at random , cannot see a waiver listed , but would suggest it would be worth calling US and finding whether US will waive the change fee in this situation. You should still expect to pay any fare difference that may apply even if the change fee was waived
Worth calling before purchasing a new ticket elsewhere
Mar 4, 2015, 6:21 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
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Posts: 2,039
My condolences on your loss.
Because of bad weather around the country, it may take a while to get through, but persevere and talk to someone about it. If you get to the right person, there is a decent chance they'll waive the change fee for you. If you happen to be preferred, there's even a better chance.
Because of bad weather around the country, it may take a while to get through, but persevere and talk to someone about it. If you get to the right person, there is a decent chance they'll waive the change fee for you. If you happen to be preferred, there's even a better chance.
Mar 4, 2015, 6:27 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Hilton-Diamond Lifetime Platinum AA UA, WN-CP, SPG Gold.
Posts: 7,377
I ask AA once because a passanger had passed away, they put the miles back in my account, and ask me if I would like to move to FC,
It was a long time ago, but the lady was so, understanding,
A million miles ago. And their were no fees ever mentioned.
It was a long time ago, but the lady was so, understanding,
A million miles ago. And their were no fees ever mentioned.
Mar 4, 2015, 7:45 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
US will typically refund the change fee with an explanation and a copy of the death certificate. They may charge a $50 admin fee instead of the $200 change fee.
My recommendation would be that as you are going to make the change anyway, do it, pay the change fee and then submit a request with the documentation after you are back.
Alternatively, just abandon the return and buy the cheap UA one-way.
My recommendation would be that as you are going to make the change anyway, do it, pay the change fee and then submit a request with the documentation after you are back.
Alternatively, just abandon the return and buy the cheap UA one-way.
Mar 4, 2015, 9:39 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 30
Finally got through, well to be able to be on hold. It's been an hour. Not sure if itd be worthwhile to hang up and try again, or if I would lose my spot "in line".
Mar 5, 2015, 6:52 pm
#9
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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Mar 5, 2015, 10:24 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Orlando
Programs: AA Exec Plat, HH Lifetime Diamond, Hyatt Diamond, Marrriott Silver, SPG, National Exec Elite
Posts: 187
So did you hang on or hang up? If you stayed on, (and how long did you have to wait) what was the answer?
Mar 6, 2015, 11:32 am
#11
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
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Posts: 62,948
Unfortunately, though sometimes airlines allow cancelability for these kinds of issues, the old "bereavement" or "compassion" fares have largely been done away with in the U.S. Part of a long train of fares that no longer exist, such as "military standby", "senior discount" fares (which on AA entailed coupons that afforded very good discounted fares and in the 1990s still offered 10% off even international fares), and going back to the original fare discounts in the 1950s, "family fares". (Lady JDiver or I have used every one of these discounts at one time or another - :waving goodbye:.)
US Airways makes no mention at all of bereavement fares; Googling will take you to the Refunds, ticket changes and receipts page, and no mention is made of bereavement or compassion fares on the US Policies & special needs page.
Here's what's in our future:
American Airlines, Emergency And Bereavement Fares
USA Today, 27 Feb 2014: American Airlines drops bereavement fares
USA Today, 15 Apr 2014: Airlines move away from bereavement fares
Delta offers bereavement fares, but they just seem to offer greater flexibility for available fares. Link.
Today's "bereavement fares" (where they exist) at best tend to offer a discount from the lowest fully flexible fares - which may still cost more than the lowest available restricted, nonrefundable fares.
OP, I hope your successful. It's difficult enough to deal with the loss of a loved one without having to deal with an airline.
US Airways makes no mention at all of bereavement fares; Googling will take you to the Refunds, ticket changes and receipts page, and no mention is made of bereavement or compassion fares on the US Policies & special needs page.
Here's what's in our future:
American Airlines, Emergency And Bereavement Fares
American Airlines does not provide emergency or bereavement fares. We do offer customers flexible fare options when booking last minute travel for a variety of reasons.
USA Today, 15 Apr 2014: Airlines move away from bereavement fares
Delta offers bereavement fares, but they just seem to offer greater flexibility for available fares. Link.
Today's "bereavement fares" (where they exist) at best tend to offer a discount from the lowest fully flexible fares - which may still cost more than the lowest available restricted, nonrefundable fares.
OP, I hope your successful. It's difficult enough to deal with the loss of a loved one without having to deal with an airline.
Last edited by JDiver; Mar 6, 2015 at 11:41 am