Basic economy fare changes for compassionate reasons
Aug 7, 2019, 1:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH, YYC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 753
Basic economy fare changes for compassionate reasons
Hi all
I have a friend whose mum is in hospital in London with a very serious medical condition which has taken a turn for the worse. She has a ticket to fly over from Canada to see her on September 7th, however due to the urgency of the situation she may have to go sooner, potentially within the next few days. Her ticket on September 7th, but unfortunately it is a basic economy ticket which does not allow any changes. Does anyone know if AC will permit changes for compassionate reasons, and what strategies we can use when discussing it with AC? I assume she will be able to provide some kind of proof of her mum's situation from the hospital if that is required.
Thanks
Dave
I have a friend whose mum is in hospital in London with a very serious medical condition which has taken a turn for the worse. She has a ticket to fly over from Canada to see her on September 7th, however due to the urgency of the situation she may have to go sooner, potentially within the next few days. Her ticket on September 7th, but unfortunately it is a basic economy ticket which does not allow any changes. Does anyone know if AC will permit changes for compassionate reasons, and what strategies we can use when discussing it with AC? I assume she will be able to provide some kind of proof of her mum's situation from the hospital if that is required.
Thanks
Dave
Aug 7, 2019, 1:51 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & MM/*Wood Gold/HHonors Diamond/Marriott Silver/AirMiles Gold
Posts: 4,565
Honestly, it may be a case of HUCA and there may be an agent that will do it. However, I would keep expectations in check and assume they won't. AC (from what I have heard) is pretty strict on basic economy.
If your friend booked with a CC card with insurance built in, that could be a worthwhile call too
Best of luck to your friend and her mum
If your friend booked with a CC card with insurance built in, that could be a worthwhile call too
Best of luck to your friend and her mum
Aug 7, 2019, 4:30 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,187
Best wishes to OP and their family!
The airlines likely do allow for some discretion for changes in the case of missed flight due to traffic, or changes due death or serious illness.
For the purposes of discussion:
I think the flip side of this is that for every passenger buying basic economy, had they been given even a $10 option/upfare for bare bones travel protection, many would have still declined.
If the airlines collected $ for a communal "hat" to lower out of pocket costs for those with unfortunate situations, I suspect the hat would stay pretty empty.
The airlines likely do allow for some discretion for changes in the case of missed flight due to traffic, or changes due death or serious illness.
For the purposes of discussion:
I think the flip side of this is that for every passenger buying basic economy, had they been given even a $10 option/upfare for bare bones travel protection, many would have still declined.
If the airlines collected $ for a communal "hat" to lower out of pocket costs for those with unfortunate situations, I suspect the hat would stay pretty empty.
Aug 7, 2019, 5:47 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,562
Best wishes to OP and their family!
The airlines likely do allow for some discretion for changes in the case of missed flight due to traffic, or changes due death or serious illness.
For the purposes of discussion:
I think the flip side of this is that for every passenger buying basic economy, had they been given even a $10 option/upfare for bare bones travel protection, many would have still declined.
If the airlines collected $ for a communal "hat" to lower out of pocket costs for those with unfortunate situations, I suspect the hat would stay pretty empty.
The airlines likely do allow for some discretion for changes in the case of missed flight due to traffic, or changes due death or serious illness.
For the purposes of discussion:
I think the flip side of this is that for every passenger buying basic economy, had they been given even a $10 option/upfare for bare bones travel protection, many would have still declined.
If the airlines collected $ for a communal "hat" to lower out of pocket costs for those with unfortunate situations, I suspect the hat would stay pretty empty.
And since there are PAX who do buy "Basic" then, apparently, Air Canada was right on in providing a mechanism for even deeper barrel scraping.
OP: Air Canada has a compassionate pricing program. They tend to allow for emergency level travel at planned a month in advance prices, give or take, broad strokes.
They are not competitive with long planned out discount trips. I'm sure I've seen reports of shopping around alternative carriers has turned up less expensive tickets for particular circumstances; AC is only being nice relative to their own list prices, not nice in any absolute sense.
The best your friend could hope for is being able to use the super discounted ticket value for a part of a slightly discounted ticket.
Aug 7, 2019, 10:48 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH, YYC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 753
Thanks for the advice. She ended up purchasing a one-way fare on WestJet which was available for $450 and would enable to her leave tomorrow. We’ll figure out a way later to get her home, and potentially she can use the original fare in one months time in the hopeful case that her mum has recovered sufficiently in the next couple of weeks.