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It certainly doesn't hurt to ask. Although I'm sure God's right-hand-person is on this board giving advice, even he/she doesn't know everything about everything. All the airline can do is tell you no. I've had things happen merely by asking that I never would have expected....and of course, I was extremely nice yet persuasive when asking. Good luck!!!
Maybe 10 years ago you could do that,. or if you have high status, but otherwise they will do the transfer--after they take the steep fee and if there's anything left.
It has nothing to do with sympathy cards and everything to do with them following the rules and not being empowered to change them as they see fit.
Well, I did it just last year, with Delta. No, I'm not a high status flyer (like *some people* around here). And no, a death was not involved and I was NOT charged a fee.
It did take 3 different phone calls to 3 different supervisors on 3 different days. . . And a very polite, courteous, logical approach from me.
Admittedly, it doesn't always work, but like I said, WTH have you got to lose.
Actually I can't use the same airline. Miami flight is booked with AA and my job flies pretty much strictly with United so the Tokyo ticket will definitely be a United flight...
That's unfortunate. And probably means that you'll get nothing from AA (who I've never had great experiences with anyway). Still, I'd make a simple phone call. . . or two. If your ticket to Miami falls over the Thanksgiving weekend, that might be something to mention as they can and will easily resell the seat.
Maybe 10 years ago you could do that,. or if you have high status, but otherwise they will do the transfer--after they take the steep fee and if there's anything left.
It has nothing to do with sympathy cards and everything to do with them following the rules and not being empowered to change them as they see fit.
Seems to me that allowing some fliers ("high status" or whatever) to do this without penality while sticking others with $$ is anything BUT consistincy in following the rules.
Kind of like ten cars doing 20 mph over the speed limit right past the state cruiser, but only one of them gets stopped for some arbitrary reason.
If a law (or policy in this case) is to be just, it must be applied EQUALLY to everyone.
Seems to me that allowing some fliers ("high status" or whatever) to do this without penality while sticking others with $$ is anything BUT consistincy in following the rules.
Kind of like ten cars doing 20 mph over the speed limit right past the state cruiser, but only one of them gets stopped for some arbitrary reason.
If a law (or policy in this case) is to be just, it must be applied EQUALLY to everyone.
Sure, apply it equally based on status rules. Given your thought process, everyone should be upgraded to first for the price of an economy seat, given access to the lounge for booking a ticket, and able to use the first class check in line even when flying for the first time in economy.
I have status and was in a similar situation a few months ago. I ate the ticket, it was a few hundred dollars, drop in the bucket in the big picture and not worth spending the time to fight for when it was solely MY FAULT for not being able to take that flight.
Many years ago, a friend of mine was able to get a refund on a non-refundable ticket by presenting a letter from his MD stating that he had a serious medical condition that made it medically inadvisable to fly.
Yes, it was a lie, but it worked!
Now, the trick for the OP is to find an MD--like the one that my friend used--who is willing to lie.
Many businesses give perks to their good customers. Heck, we walked away with about $80 of Subaru schwag fro ma booth at a bike expo last year because I showed my Outback key as proof I owned one of their cars. The airlines just are a lot more organized about it and publish lists of what they'll do for you in the name of keeping the folks who spend $20K+ a year on airfares happy and willing to give their company repeat business.
You should fly southwest . They don't charge you anything for changing your flight . You can even do it online without having to call in . I took American Airlines from Miami to Chicago one time and haven't flown since lol with them
Location: Living near our Nation's Capitol since 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Retriever
Many years ago, a friend of mine was able to get a refund on a non-refundable ticket by presenting a letter from his MD stating that he had a serious medical condition that made it medically inadvisable to fly.
Yes, it was a lie, but it worked!
Now, the trick for the OP is to find an MD--like the one that my friend used--who is willing to lie.
I think this is awful. Moral compass missing here? That is nothing but CHEATiNG.
Karma is a b*tch..and has no statute of limitation. I have no tolerance for lies.
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) to do this without penality while sticking others with $$ is anything BUT consistincy in following the rules. 
