Pax has COVID - refund available?
Jun 8, 2022, 11:12 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,133
Pax has COVID - refund available?
My sister seems to think that her MIA-GRU J ticket is refundable if she contracts COVID and cannot fly.
Tix is a nonrefundable fare but she insists airlines allow refunds (not just credits) if the passenger tests positive.
Sounds absurd to me. Did I miss something or is she mistaken?
Tix is a nonrefundable fare but she insists airlines allow refunds (not just credits) if the passenger tests positive.
Sounds absurd to me. Did I miss something or is she mistaken?
Jun 8, 2022, 11:20 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: QF LTG
Posts: 1,200
My sister seems to think that her MIA-GRU J ticket is refundable if she contracts COVID and cannot fly.
Tix is a nonrefundable fare but she insists airlines allow refunds (not just credits) if the passenger tests positive.
Sounds absurd to me. Did I miss something or is she mistaken?
Tix is a nonrefundable fare but she insists airlines allow refunds (not just credits) if the passenger tests positive.
Sounds absurd to me. Did I miss something or is she mistaken?
Jun 8, 2022, 11:21 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: The part of NC where we have electricity, paved roads, and high school diplomas.
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 3,132
They may choose do so, but it is not certain. AA's terms doesn't address it.
Even getting travel credits would be a stretch.
They may offer free rebooking.
There is travel insurance that covers travel cancellations because of covid.
Even getting travel credits would be a stretch.
They may offer free rebooking.
There is travel insurance that covers travel cancellations because of covid.
Last edited by WindowSeatFlyer; Jun 8, 2022 at 11:26 am
Jun 8, 2022, 11:24 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,212
COVID does not make a non-refundable ticket suddenly refundable. It hasn't ever. What COVID has done is relaxed the time to re-use travel credits, but even that has tightened back up.
Jun 8, 2022, 11:30 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Evidently AA still has some sort of policy that may allow one free change within 7 days of original flight date should the passenger be unable to fly. See Gary's recent article below on the subject.
But, as mentioned a nonrefundable fare doesn't suddenly become fully refundable should a pax be unable to fly.
https://viewfromthewing.com/theres-h...-policies-end/
But, as mentioned a nonrefundable fare doesn't suddenly become fully refundable should a pax be unable to fly.
https://viewfromthewing.com/theres-h...-policies-end/
Jun 8, 2022, 3:48 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 264
Airlines may give some flexibility though as to entice passengers who have covid not to fly. My parents were exposed to covid three times within the week before their flights (on alaska) each time they had non-refundable flights and Alaska was willing to offer travel credit (not a refund) because they didn't want to fly after being exposed.
Jun 8, 2022, 5:11 pm
#8
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Join Date: Dec 2000
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If she's convinced that her J fare is refundable, she can read her fare rules. She can also call AA for clarification on her specific fare rules. But, as said - if she didn't buy travel insurance and it's not a fully refundable fare, she may be facing a flight credit to use in the coming 12 months.
Jun 8, 2022, 6:51 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Airlines may give some flexibility though as to entice passengers who have covid not to fly. My parents were exposed to covid three times within the week before their flights (on alaska) each time they had non-refundable flights and Alaska was willing to offer travel credit (not a refund) because they didn't want to fly after being exposed.