Waive last minute redemption fee for death in family?
Jan 21, 2013, 7:11 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: A small town in North Georgia
Programs: DL Platinum Medallion, AA
Posts: 1,625
Waive last minute redemption fee for death in family?
My best friend'smother died suddenly, and I have a ticket on hold for her to fly to ATL for the funeral this weekend. Is there any way fo get AA to waive the fee
due to the circumstances?
due to the circumstances?
Jan 21, 2013, 7:21 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,528
AA does have exceptions for deaths in the family, but I don't know the specifics. You could always call and ask.
Jan 21, 2013, 9:08 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Plano, Texas, USA
Programs: AA PPro, Hilton Gold, Lindy Award Winner (2013)
Posts: 503
Don't be surprised if they say no due to it not being your family member.
Jan 21, 2013, 9:48 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 30
Book the ticket initially at a date further out to avoid the fee, then right after it's ticketed call and have it changed to the earlier date for this weekend.
Jan 21, 2013, 10:16 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,755
Being a PLT you dont need to pay this fee so you may not know that. AA has closed this loophole for probably 2 years now.
Jan 21, 2013, 10:59 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver, HG Gold
Posts: 72
AA Waived the change fee for me when my father died. They did require me to fax them a copy of the death certificate though.
Jan 21, 2013, 11:20 pm
#8
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
We can give you a of of opinions, but the only way to determine is to call.
Jan 21, 2013, 11:28 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AA 2MM former EXP - driven away by "Enhancements", MVPG75, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 585
In June 2012, I did not get fees waived when I changed plans to attend one of my childhood friend's funeral.
Call, you might get a different answer.
Call, you might get a different answer.
Jan 22, 2013, 1:12 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: LAX, SAN, ORD, MAA & COK
Programs: AA EXP 6+ MM, AC, DL (MM) & LT SC; All Airlines 10+MM, Hilton LT Diamond, Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 749
When I had to attend my mother's funeral AA waived the change fee for me for my future LHR-LAX flight which was already upgraded to C with a eVIP. AA even re-booked me in C on another LHR-LAX flight that had zero C availability by opening up a C seat after talking to revenue management. I had to fax in a copy of the birth certificate when it became available.
Jan 22, 2013, 5:07 am
#11
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Austin TX
Programs: AA PLT, ICH Plat
Posts: 1,965
I will bet NO
But give it a try. Nothing to lose.
But give it a try. Nothing to lose.
Jan 22, 2013, 6:36 am
#12
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,689
Sorry for your loss. Pay the fee and get a copy of death certificate and request a credit later. I think there was a Seinfeld TV show where George Kotzanza made a fool of himself on this issue so be careful.
Jan 22, 2013, 7:12 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 20,404
Sorry for your loss.
At the risk of sounding completely insensitive, there is really no reason AA should waive the fee. If they took a cut on potential revenue for merely being "nice" to everybody, that would get them into bankrup...oh, wait.
Bottom line, you can call and ask, and if they do waive the fee, it's a very nice favor. In which case, the golden rule applies.
At the risk of sounding completely insensitive, there is really no reason AA should waive the fee. If they took a cut on potential revenue for merely being "nice" to everybody, that would get them into bankrup...oh, wait.
Bottom line, you can call and ask, and if they do waive the fee, it's a very nice favor. In which case, the golden rule applies.
Jan 22, 2013, 7:44 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 879
Sorry about your losses. AA would not waive my fee when my father died. I was surprised, but was told by more than one CSR, policy. I'm glad some of you have gotten the fee waived due the the circumstances.
Jan 22, 2013, 10:12 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
I recall a thread from a few weeks ago about basically the same issue. Lots of people said it wouldn't be waived, myself included, and the OP posted the agent waived the fee for them.
OP, call and ask nicely, but don't be mad if they won't waive it. YMMV.
OP, call and ask nicely, but don't be mad if they won't waive it. YMMV.