Would appreciate any advice on the following.

My mother was due to fly LHR-TXL tonight on the outbound portion of a reward flight. She was feeling unwell this morning, visited a Doctor and has been diagnosed with shingles and advised not to fly.

I'm pretty sure that:
- Because it's within 24 hours of the flight no cancellation fee is due
- Travel insurance is only likely to pay out for taxes on the ticket (and the small additional consequential losses)

Can anyone think of any other way to salvage any of the costs? I'm not clear on whether a change to the dates of the ticket is still possible at T-24. If it is a £35 change fee wouldn't be the end of the world.

Might she get lucky and find a nice phone agent that might waive a cancellation or change fee?

Thanks in advance.