72 hour rule for award tickets vs family emergency
Jun 19, 2015, 8:56 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PIT, BWI, or IPT
Programs: Dividend Miles, WorldPerks
Posts: 1,302
72 hour rule for award tickets vs family emergency
So next Friday we were planning to take our awesome old-skymiles-rules trip to Austrailia that I booked 11 months ago. Unfortunately my wife's mother just checked into hospice care with her long running battle with cancer. It is looking like we will have to cancel the trip. I would obviously like to wait until the last minute to cancel due to the fluidity of the situation. In your experience, does the 72 hour rule still apply in family emergencies? Or should I just bite the bullet and cancel now?
Jun 19, 2015, 9:20 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: LAXatives
Programs: Delta Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Diplomat, Hertz Chairman's Square, Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 390
They're decently flexible when it comes to medical emergencies like that in my experience, call the line and let them know the situation and they should be very accomdating. Condolences and best wishes!
Jun 19, 2015, 1:07 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,273
Yes, they have been accommodating but it is not a guarantee. If you are able to make a go or no-go decision by T-73, try to do that.
Jun 19, 2015, 1:12 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,363
One note. Though DL has been very flexible, they also talk about it being a one time exemption. So even if you get the free cancel, tha might cost you down the road.
I assume this is not a formal rule, but you would still be best acting ahead of time if possible.
Best of luck to MIL.
I assume this is not a formal rule, but you would still be best acting ahead of time if possible.
Best of luck to MIL.
Jun 20, 2015, 4:43 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Kea'au, Hawaii
Programs: Recovering Delta SkyMiles Addict--Now Gold with AAdvantage
Posts: 586
Have documentation such as a letter from hospice or her physician prepared in advance in a quickly transmittable format. I have had a sympathetic response from DL in a similar situation with my father's passing, and the agent told me that having that documentation made a difference. I extend my best wishes for your family at this difficult time.
Jun 20, 2015, 8:39 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PIT, BWI, or IPT
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Posts: 1,302
Have documentation such as a letter from hospice or her physician prepared in advance in a quickly transmittable format.