My husband and I had booked a flight out of BNA to HNL. Two weeks before our flight date 05/23/11 he was in a auto accident punturing both his lungs, breaking all of his ribs, councusion, and breaking a bone in his back. I have been trying to get a refund for our trip every since the accident. I have sent in all the required documentation (letter from Dr., Emergency room report, etc..) and have had no luck getting a refund. Continental Airlines denied us a refund because we did not qualify for an exception and have disputed it. At this time I don't know what to do and feel like I should get a full refund plus additional miles or something. Any help would be appreciated.
Read the t&c for the fare you purchased. If it's non-refundable, there would also be optional insurance to cover exactly what happened to your husband (and generally would cover you as well). Non-refundable fares are cheaper, but they need to be insured.
I would also carefully look at your homeowners and umbrella policy as well as any other coverages you or your husband might have from work. You would be surprised what some of them cover.
If all else fails, you are at CO's mercy because you are entitled to nothing. You will most likely receive a credit, not a refund.