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This is GREAT advice. Don't cancel until you have to. It's Summer. All kinds of weather could happen (especially at United! Originally Posted by flyingnosh
No need to cancel right now. If there are weather issues, or other problems, you may be able to cancel and get a full refund. If you cancel right now, you won't be eligible for a refund if there are problems later.
). Then, cancel and pay the change fee.But if you have some free time, a nice letter to the higher ups at United (CEO and a few VPs) explaining your sad and painful situation will usually get you a response of some kind, and perhaps some financial relief. Can't hurt, and all you have to lose is a little time.
My best to you and your little pal! Hopefully he'll be up and jumping all over your furniture soon!
again.. thanks all for the kind wishes and helpful info... situation sucks all around but trying to make the best of it
1. Check your fare conditions to make certain that the $200 is correct.
2. The likely result is $200 + fare difference. If the fare stays the same, that is $200. If the fare for your new travel goes up, you will be $200 +. If the new fare is less, you will be $200 - (which blunts the blow).
The impact on your wallet is the $200, not the value of the ticket, unless you never travel again.
2. The likely result is $200 + fare difference. If the fare stays the same, that is $200. If the fare for your new travel goes up, you will be $200 +. If the new fare is less, you will be $200 - (which blunts the blow).
The impact on your wallet is the $200, not the value of the ticket, unless you never travel again.
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This works ONLY if you're going to be around monitoring the flight and be ready to cancel/call in/etc.Originally Posted by njcommodore
these are the best advice. You can wait until the last hour or even less before canceling. With EWR and thunderstorms, you never know if you'll get a weather waiver. Good luck with the pup.
They could issue a weather waiver ahead of time, or you may have to wait until very close to watch for delays.
If you're going to be doing something else and not in a position to call when needed, or might otherwise forget or be distracted, you could lose the whole value of your ticket.
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Not on United. It's $200, the ticket gets reissued at a lower fare, and you get a voucher for the difference.Originally Posted by Often1
If the new fare is less, you will be $200 - (which blunts the blow).
Just had a similar experience, got refund
I had a nonrefundable international ticket. I had to cancel the trip because my dog had to have emergency surgery 2 days before departure and I needed to be available to give him around the clock care and take him to follow up vet visits. I could not reschedule the trip because it was a work trip for my husband and he had to go ahead without me. Thinking it was futile, I put in a refund request with United giving all details and contact info of the vet clinic (I was clear this was a dog not a human family member). Unfortunately, after several days of best efforts by the vets and me, my dog's condition worsened to where he had to be put down. In the midst of my heartbreak over losing my beloved dog, to my enormous surprise I received an email from United stating that my request for a refund had been GRANTED. I received back all but $50 as a credit to my credit card. So I would say to give it a try through the online refund request interface. I honestly do not know if my pet dying had an impact on the refund decision. I did not tell United of this myself, but if they contacted the vet to check out my story, they might have learned about it and taken pity. Nothing can bring my pup back, but I was impressed with how United handled this.
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sorry for your loss.. I cant imagine how difficult it was... thanks for the info thoughOriginally Posted by Maykita
I had a nonrefundable international ticket. I had to cancel the trip because my dog had to have emergency surgery 2 days before departure and I needed to be available to give him around the clock care and take him to follow up vet visits. I could not reschedule the trip because it was a work trip for my husband and he had to go ahead without me. Thinking it was futile, I put in a refund request with United giving all details and contact info of the vet clinic (I was clear this was a dog not a human family member). Unfortunately, after several days of best efforts by the vets and me, my dog's condition worsened to where he had to be put down. In the midst of my heartbreak over losing my beloved dog, to my enormous surprise I received an email from United stating that my request for a refund had been GRANTED. I received back all but $50 as a credit to my credit card. So I would say to give it a try through the online refund request interface. I honestly do not know if my pet dying had an impact on the refund decision. I did not tell United of this myself, but if they contacted the vet to check out my story, they might have learned about it and taken pity. Nothing can bring my pup back, but I was impressed with how United handled this.
If you booked the flight decently recently you can call UA and ask them about the cancellation you made <24 hours after booking and when you might see your refund. Be sure to use the magic words "DOT." It's quite sleazy, but it might also work if nothing else does...
Suspended
Alternatively, you could have your pet boarded at a good vet where post-OP care could be taken care of.
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They could issue a weather waiver ahead of time, or you may have to wait until very close to watch for delays.
If you're going to be doing something else and not in a position to call when needed, or might otherwise forget or be distracted, you could lose the whole value of your ticket.
Not on United. It's $200, the ticket gets reissued at a lower fare, and you get a voucher for the difference.
Good point. Originally Posted by channa
This works ONLY if you're going to be around monitoring the flight and be ready to cancel/call in/etc.They could issue a weather waiver ahead of time, or you may have to wait until very close to watch for delays.
If you're going to be doing something else and not in a position to call when needed, or might otherwise forget or be distracted, you could lose the whole value of your ticket.
Not on United. It's $200, the ticket gets reissued at a lower fare, and you get a voucher for the difference.
Hanging around monitoring flights for changes/cancellations is great, if you have time. Not so great if you are otherwise busy.
A better idea might be to figure out what you want to do with the value coming back your way and plan that sooner rather than later.
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In my case at least, the vet definitely advised home care. They didn't have the capacity to watch my guy around the clock, and we didn't want to stress him by having him in a hospital/boarding setting beyond what was necessary. As it turned out, had I boarded him, I would have had to give the order to euthanize by long distance and would have missed his last few days and the chance to say goodbye to him; it would have been like I just abandoned him. Obviously, situations vary, but sometimes boarding is not a good option. It may depend on the length of the trip, age of the dog, prognosis following surgery, etc.Originally Posted by Doc Savage
Alternatively, you could have your pet boarded at a good vet where post-OP care could be taken care of.
Grasping at straws here, but is there any chance that you have pet insurance that covers EMERGENCY, LIFE SAVING SURGERY? I put the surgery part in caps because that is what our policy would require. I realize that this scenario probably would not work based on the dates you have provided, but figured it would not hurt to suggest it.
I think Plan A would be to try your hardest with the airline - and Plan B, to pay the change fees.
I wish your pet well. We are most definitely dog people and know all about pet surgeries and the follow-up home care (we used to have mini Dachshunds). Where we live in Canada, even spending $8,000 on surgery will only get you 4 days of hospitalization. After that it is a flat fee of $135 - $175 - even if all is that required is monitoring of your pet. It used to be the cost of boarding plus whatever nursing services your pet required. I have seen people break down in tears over this new "equalization" system. Who on earth could afford this - especially after the $8,000. I hope you manage to get a refund. Having a sick pet is just awful.
I think Plan A would be to try your hardest with the airline - and Plan B, to pay the change fees.
I wish your pet well. We are most definitely dog people and know all about pet surgeries and the follow-up home care (we used to have mini Dachshunds). Where we live in Canada, even spending $8,000 on surgery will only get you 4 days of hospitalization. After that it is a flat fee of $135 - $175 - even if all is that required is monitoring of your pet. It used to be the cost of boarding plus whatever nursing services your pet required. I have seen people break down in tears over this new "equalization" system. Who on earth could afford this - especially after the $8,000. I hope you manage to get a refund. Having a sick pet is just awful.