CO Refund/Having Problems
Jul 21, 2011 | 12:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
CO Refund/Having Problems
My husband and I had booked a flight out of BNA to HNL. Two weeks before our flight date 05/23/11 he was in a auto accident punturing both his lungs, breaking all of his ribs, councusion, and breaking a bone in his back. I have been trying to get a refund for our trip every since the accident. I have sent in all the required documentation (letter from Dr., Emergency room report, etc..) and have had no luck getting a refund. Continental Airlines denied us a refund because we did not qualify for an exception and have disputed it. At this time I don't know what to do and feel like I should get a full refund plus additional miles or something. Any help would be appreciated.
Last edited by MPR; Jul 21, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Jul 21, 2011 | 12:25 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,710
Does your fare allow a refund? If not, why do you think you are entitled to a refund? Travel insurance usually covers this type of situation.
Jul 21, 2011 | 12:34 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
Yes, Continental Airlines requires proper documentation of the traveler who has the illness for a unplanned event
Jul 21, 2011 | 12:37 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: CO hublette
Programs: UA AU MM,HH Diamond,Hyatt Globalist , Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,316
Most importntly, I hope your husband is doing OK.
Jul 21, 2011 | 12:37 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,529
pay heavy change fees on cheaper tickets.
Despite your husband's unfortunate condition, nothing comes close to meeting CO's requirements for a refund.
Jul 21, 2011 | 12:43 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
My husband and I had booked a flight out of BNA to HNL. Two weeks before our flight date 05/23/11 he was in a auto accident punturing both his lungs, breaking all of his ribs, councusion, and breaking a bone in his back. I have been trying to get a refund for our trip every since the accident. I have sent in all the required documentation (letter from Dr., Emergency room report, etc..) and have had no luck getting a refund. Continental Airlines denied us a refund because we did not qualify for an exception and have disputed it. At this time I don't know what to do and feel like I should get a full refund plus additional miles or something. Any help would be appreciated.
I would also carefully look at your homeowners and umbrella policy as well as any other coverages you or your husband might have from work. You would be surprised what some of them cover.
If all else fails, you are at CO's mercy because you are entitled to nothing. You will most likely receive a credit, not a refund.
Jul 21, 2011 | 12:59 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA Priemier Gold
Posts: 70,617
Well, I screwed up my knee and CO did refund the change fee on a ticket of mine. Had to send formal documentation "snail mail" to Houston and wait a number of weeks, but they eventually came through.
That is, however, different than asking for a full refund.
As the others above have noted, Continental is not obliged to refund a non-refundable ticket.
That is, however, different than asking for a full refund.
As the others above have noted, Continental is not obliged to refund a non-refundable ticket.
Jul 21, 2011 | 1:52 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
We did not purchase the tickets through Continental Airlines. We purchased the tickets through Priceline and Priceline directed us to Continental Airlines because we had the most flights with them on the tickets. It's not like it was a planned event. Even if my husband felt like going at the time, they would not of allowed him to fly because of his lungs.
Jul 21, 2011 | 1:55 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 4
Thank you very much. He is still in the healing process, but both of his lungs have healed. Now he is going through the pain of his ribs and back bone healing.
Jul 21, 2011 | 2:08 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
Priceline has its own insurance -- not sure why they didn't direct you to it because it covers exactly your husband's situation. A link follows and that link contains yet another link to the minute details:
http://travelc.priceline.com/custome...95661&plf=PCLN
http://travelc.priceline.com/custome...95661&plf=PCLN
Jul 21, 2011 | 2:21 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: UA, AA, AF, IB
Posts: 388
Priceline has its own insurance -- not sure why they didn't direct you to it because it covers exactly your husband's situation. A link follows and that link contains yet another link to the minute details:
http://travelc.priceline.com/custome...95661&plf=PCLN
http://travelc.priceline.com/custome...95661&plf=PCLN
Jul 21, 2011 | 3:53 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 8,179
Sorry to hear about your husband. Regarding Priceline tickets, the terms are pretty clear: they are non-refundable and non-changeable. Unlike a ticket purchased directly from an airline, Priceline terms and conditions don't even provide for a refund in the event of the death of the passenger prior to travel, let alone an injury. You agreed to the "no changes, no refunds, ever" clause up front in return for the discounted price. When you "self-insure" against certain unlikely situations in lieu of more expensive options, sometimes it doesn't work out the way you'd like. It would certainly be gracious of CO or Priceline to offer a refund in this case, but I don't think they're under any obligation to do so.
Jul 21, 2011 | 4:38 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,529
Sorry to hear about your husband. Regarding Priceline tickets, the terms are pretty clear: they are non-refundable and non-changeable. Unlike a ticket purchased directly from an airline, Priceline terms and conditions don't even provide for a refund in the event of the death of the passenger prior to travel, let alone an injury. You agreed to the "no changes, no refunds, ever" clause up front in return for the discounted price. When you "self-insure" against certain unlikely situations in lieu of more expensive options, sometimes it doesn't work out the way you'd like. It would certainly be gracious of CO or Priceline to offer a refund in this case, but I don't think they're under any obligation to do so.
Either way, CO has nothing to do with this, and the thread should be closed.
Jul 21, 2011 | 5:11 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
One last thought - Check the t&c as well as benefits page for the credit card you used to pay for the tix. Some provide at least partial insurance coverage for this.
Jul 21, 2011 | 7:38 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cypress, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum, Hertz Gold 1 Presidence Circle
Posts: 662
Sorry to hear about your unfortunate sitatuion but the airline can't do anything more on this situation, and they shouldn't.