I would like to know other FTers' experiences with 'non refund tickets'--when you have an emergency and cannot fly.
I recently purchased long-distance flights on Lufthansa for travel late December.
In the meantime, I have an emergency and cannot travel.
I have never had to cancel and ask for a refund before--with any airline.
I called the airline to cancel the flights (for one PAX) and request a refund, and was told (South African office) that these were 'non-refund tickets'. I could not receive a refund--with the sole exception that I could have a doctor send a note to the airline to say that I or my family has a medical reason. No exceptions. None. This I could do.
However, there is still this matter:
The airline phone worker told me that I had been told it was a non-refund ticket. I said, I was not told it was a non-refund, but was told that the fare was the lowest available. I was also told there would be a $200 fee for changing it. Now the airline says I have a year to use it. This was not a special fair or a discounted fare. It is a regular fare, high season.
I could use it later. That would be at least 8 months hence. I would in the meantime prefer a refund.
This brings up questions regarding refunds:
1. Why are some ticket fees not refundable?
2. It is the airline's word against mine that they warned me it was non-refund. I do not believe they said it.
3. Do the airlines pay an 'interest' fee on the thousands of dollars they are holding?
4. Do they automatically refund on receipt of a medical letter--or can they question it? For example, could they potentially say, "A broken leg is not a good enough excuse" or "Migraines are not a reason not the fly."
5. Any suggestions on dealing with this?
The two choices, at this point: use the ticket later (could do but prefer not to), or ask my doctor to send a medical reason for not flying. (could do but don't like that this is the sole option).
Have other FTers dealt successfully with protesting/successfully repealing a non-refund ticket situation? Thanks for wisdom on this.