Non refundable ticket (cost, vacation, airlines, best)
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One does not buy a non refundable airfare with thoughts on not using it. You would think some accomodation might be made if a medical emergency prevents departure on the date of the flight.
Last August I was sent to the ER and hospitalized for 4 days, the day before our scheduled departure. We were given till mid May 2017 to apply the cost to another ticket. In the months since August an MRI has identified another life threatening issue. For several weeks I felt my future was uncertain. February I had surgery to correct the issue. I'm ok. I still need another minor surgery to remove a filter. The tried to remove it once and wearn't able to, so their gonna try again. I'm not done with it yet.
We fly once a year at most. I can't fly somewhere I don't need to go just to use the credit. Technically I could have flown sometime while facing these medical issues. I have only a doctors statement that I could obviously not fly for the 4 days in the hospital last Aug. We Want to make the trip to the Pacific Northwest next August, that we were unable to do in 2016.
American Airlines will not extend the time to use the unused fare and will not issue a refund. When American Airlines says non-refundable, they mean it. I hope they don't think I will ever fly their airline again.
What don't you understand about the word nonrefundable? That it is really refundable? Ya pays yer money & ya takes your chances... that's why the ticket was so cheap to begin with, it had a built in risk. Like complaining that the casino kept your poker losses when you told them afterwards you didn't understand the rules totally so it wasn't fair they keep your money...
I really do hope your medical issues work out & you are ok to fly & to enjoy life fully again, best of luck to you & don't get the nonrefundable ticket next time! Good luck.
One does not buy a non refundable airfare with thoughts on not using it. You would think some accomodation might be made if a medical emergency prevents departure on the date of the flight.
Last August I was sent to the ER and hospitalized for 4 days, the day before our scheduled departure. We were given till mid May 2017 to apply the cost to another ticket. In the months since August an MRI has identified another life threatening issue. For several weeks I felt my future was uncertain. February I had surgery to correct the issue. I'm ok. I still need another minor surgery to remove a filter. The tried to remove it once and wearn't able to, so their gonna try again. I'm not done with it yet.
We fly once a year at most. I can't fly somewhere I don't need to go just to use the credit. Technically I could have flown sometime while facing these medical issues. I have only a doctors statement that I could obviously not fly for the 4 days in the hospital last Aug. We Want to make the trip to the Pacific Northwest next August, that we were unable to do in 2016.
American Airlines will not extend the time to use the unused fare and will not issue a refund. When American Airlines says non-refundable, they mean it. I hope they don't think I will ever fly their airline again.
Most of the airlines non-refundable means just that. Very few people can afford to buy the refundable tickets.
I actually had a similar situation as yours but bought my tickets through Southwest. We were able to reschedule and use the tickets within a year from original purchase date. My work schedule took precedence over a vacation trip so the rescheduled tickets expired last week.
So I thought we lost out all together until a friend told me Southwest will give you a voucher after the rescheduled tickets expire. They were correct with an additional 100.00 fee. Southwest will be sending us two vouchers that we can use to fly within the next 6 months.
More reason in the future to book with Southwest Airlines. They are more accommodating to work with customers when issues that arise.
As others have said, non refundable means non refundable. You didn't get travel insurance. So the fact that they gave you a year to rebook is actually quite accommodating of them. They didn't have to do that much. Your circumstances are/were unfortunate, but that's not their problem.
I checked Southwest. I'm troubled by their seat selection process. We're not the tiny people most airline seats are designed for. At minimum I need an aisle seat so I can get up and stretch my legs. Last time we flew was on United and we paid for seat upgrades.
Some of the airlines have "premium economy" now, but I don't know if the actual seats themselves are any different from economy seats or just the meals, etc... all for a bit more $$$ of course. Worth asking about. The emergency exit rows have more leg room but the seats are narrower since the trays have to be stored in the side of the seats, they are too narrow for my ample dimensions I've discovered.
I checked Southwest. I'm troubled by their seat selection process. We're not the tiny people most airline seats are designed for. At minimum I need an aisle seat so I can get up and stretch my legs. Last time we flew was on United and we paid for seat upgrades.
Southwest is different in its approach for seating in there's no assigned seats - first come, first serve. However, you can purchase "early bird check-in" for $15 each way (if you have multiple legs one way you get the early bird both legs). It doesn't guarantee a seat but I have always found it got me into the "A" boarding group. Usually I am able to get exit row and take the aisle. There's also the option of buying an upgrade at the gate counter to A1 - A15 (if available) for about $40 each way. That would put you as one of the first people onboard to get exit and/or aisle.
That said, you bought a non-refundable ticket and got a reduced fare for doing it. I understand it's very unfortunate situation you ended up in, but it's not the airlines fault. I generally am not fond of airlines (I had choice words regarding United's little deal) but in this case they didn't misrepresent what they were selling you.
To be forthright, given the initial complaint regarding you couldn't get your money back on a non-refundable ticket, and then seeing your complaints regarding the alternatives being suggested by other posters (such as Southwest with a relatively more liberal policy, or buying the more expensive refundable ticket, or buying travel insurance), I'm honestly somewhat less sympathetic to your cause. The rules of the game were presented to you and you have options within those rules.
As much as it pains me at times, airplane trip tickets that are nonrefundable are just that. All the other posts pre and proceeding me will know more about exceptions.
FWIW, the tickets are sometimes dirt cheap, or even a mere few hundred dollars. There are refundable tickets, but those are typically first or business class, which cost far more than coach/"cattle" class that paying the fee for those refunds comes out equivalent to coach tickets anyways. Or, close enough.
One does not buy a non refundable airfare with thoughts on not using it. You would think some accomodation might be made if a medical emergency prevents departure on the date of the flight.
Last August I was sent to the ER and hospitalized for 4 days, the day before our scheduled departure. We were given till mid May 2017 to apply the cost to another ticket. In the months since August an MRI has identified another life threatening issue. For several weeks I felt my future was uncertain. February I had surgery to correct the issue. I'm ok. I still need another minor surgery to remove a filter. The tried to remove it once and wearn't able to, so their gonna try again. I'm not done with it yet.
We fly once a year at most. I can't fly somewhere I don't need to go just to use the credit. Technically I could have flown sometime while facing these medical issues. I have only a doctors statement that I could obviously not fly for the 4 days in the hospital last Aug. We Want to make the trip to the Pacific Northwest next August, that we were unable to do in 2016.
American Airlines will not extend the time to use the unused fare and will not issue a refund. When American Airlines says non-refundable, they mean it. I hope they don't think I will ever fly their airline again.
Sometimes you have a year to use the credit but you can use it towards a ticket as much as another year in the future. Check it out and if you can do that buy travel insurance this time.
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