Advice re: flight change due to subpoena
I have a long ago booked family trip using 1 purchased ticket and 1 Amex companion certificate scheduled for early next week. Unfortunately, my wife was subpoenaed at the last minute to testify on behalf of the state at a criminal trial during our trip. We cannot change the court date and, thus, need to change our Delta flights. Ideally, we'd like to travel later in the same day.
Based on my initial call with Delta it doesn't look like SDC will work because there is no availability in the appropriate fare class (U). As far as I can tell, my only option is to change my ticket (which at $200 change fee + fare differential costs well more than the original ticket) and buy my wife a new one at last minute fares.
Has anyone heard of DL waiving fees or not charging the fare differential for this sort of situation? If so, who should I speak with about this? Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
adl_dlflyer