meh

[dabuddha]

Cliffs:

We were flying down to Texas this coming Thursday.
Wife had to make an emergency visit to her doctor yesterday (5 months pregnant)
Doctor said she can not fly and gave us a note stating so.
Airline wants to charge us $150 per ticket to get a travel voucher.
Told her and her supervisor that the doctor said that we risk losing the pregnancy if she flies.
Both said too bad basically.

time to call AMEX I guess.

/rant

EDIT:

Spoke with another supervisor from US Air (not sure if this ones higher up than the first one I spoke with). After explaining the situation to her, she apologized for what the previous two employees told me and she informed me that they'll gladly make an exception for the $450 fee ($150x3) and they usually do. I offered to fax in the doctors note and she told me not to worry about it. So I've got 3 "store credits" I can use within the next year.

Kudos to US Air :thumbsup:

 

[Red Squirrel]

Wow that blows. That would not fly with me, I'd be calling the CC company too.

 

[Zenmervolt]

What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

i have to agree with this.

but at the same time, i'd also be pissed about the situation.

 

[hiromizu]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

*Nods* That's exactly right.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

i have to agree with this.

but at the same time, i'd also be pissed about the situation.

Agreed that it's a frustrating situation. It sucks when plans change like that and we're inconvenienced.

Still, it floors me that people would go so far as to contest the charges with their credit card company rather than accept responsibility for not understanding the limitations of the product they purchased.

ZV

 

[MixMasterTang]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

i have to agree with this.

but at the same time, i'd also be pissed about the situation.

Agreed that it's a frustrating situation. It sucks when plans change like that and we're inconvenienced.

Still, it floors me that people would go so far as to contest the charges with their credit card company rather than accept responsibility for not understanding the limitations of the product they purchased.

ZV

It's also funny that it's quite possible the airline was already going to be losing money on the original fare the OP purchased since many of the deeply discounted fares are sold at a loss.

 

[Gibson486]

when you bought it, they said it would cost money to change the plans. WHy would they back out on their word? They usually give you the option of spending $40 extra to get a refundable ticket.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

i have to agree with this.

but at the same time, i'd also be pissed about the situation.

I never asked for a refund, I asked for a voucher to let me fly at another date. And I really don't want to get into an argument about whether airlines are losing money on these tickets or not. We won't be able to convince each other either way so it's a waste of time.

I guess "customer service" is lost on some people. When someone brings their clothes into our cleaners and we find rips or something, we normally just repair them without charging anything. This helps us generate more business as the customer becomes loyal to me. They'll easily fill that seat (again not going to argue about this) since we let them know in advance. If they'd waive the $450 in charges, they'd definitely earn some customer loyalty from my family.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

i have to agree with this.

but at the same time, i'd also be pissed about the situation.

I never asked for a refund, I asked for a voucher to let me fly at another date.

And they let you get a voucher, you just need to pay the fee. Whats the problem?

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

i have to agree with this.

but at the same time, i'd also be pissed about the situation.

I never asked for a refund, I asked for a voucher to let me fly at another date.

And they let you get a voucher, you just need to pay the fee. Whats the problem?

They're selling me the voucher for $150 + difference in ticket price. I told them I'll happily pay the difference in ticket prices but I'm not about to shell out $450 extra.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

i have to agree with this.

but at the same time, i'd also be pissed about the situation.

I never asked for a refund, I asked for a voucher to let me fly at another date.

And they let you get a voucher, you just need to pay the fee. Whats the problem?

They're selling me the voucher for $150 + difference in ticket price. I told them I'll happily pay the difference in ticket prices but I'm not about to shell out $450 extra.

AGIAN as already said they are doing you a favor if you bought non-refundable tickets. You made that choice so why are you blaming them?

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

i have to agree with this.

but at the same time, i'd also be pissed about the situation.

I never asked for a refund, I asked for a voucher to let me fly at another date.

And they let you get a voucher, you just need to pay the fee. Whats the problem?

They're selling me the voucher for $150 + difference in ticket price. I told them I'll happily pay the difference in ticket prices but I'm not about to shell out $450 extra.

AGIAN as already said they are doing you a favor if you bought non-refundable tickets. You made that choice so why are you blaming them?

Not gonna argue about it Two things. We booked our tickets over the telephone and were not told nor offered any type of ticket insurance. Number 2, it was a medical emergency, not a change of mind. My argument is more about the lack of customer service. If you don't understand what I mean from the example I gave up, then theres nothing I can do to help you understand

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

i have to agree with this.

but at the same time, i'd also be pissed about the situation.

I never asked for a refund, I asked for a voucher to let me fly at another date.

And they let you get a voucher, you just need to pay the fee. Whats the problem?

They're selling me the voucher for $150 + difference in ticket price. I told them I'll happily pay the difference in ticket prices but I'm not about to shell out $450 extra.

AGIAN as already said they are doing you a favor if you bought non-refundable tickets. You made that choice so why are you blaming them?

Not gonna argue about it Two things. We booked our tickets over the telephone and were not told nor offered any type of ticket insurance. Number 2, it was a medical emergency, not a change of mind. My argument is more about the lack of customer service. If you don't understand what I mean from the example I gave up, then theres nothing I can do to help you understand

You were told they were non-refundable though.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Not gonna argue about it Two things. We booked our tickets over the telephone and were not told nor offered any type of ticket insurance. Number 2, it was a medical emergency, not a change of mind. My argument is more about the lack of customer service. If you don't understand what I mean from the example I gave up, then theres nothing I can do to help you understand

I fail to see the lack of customer service. Do you try to barter at the grocery store?

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

i have to agree with this.

but at the same time, i'd also be pissed about the situation.

I never asked for a refund, I asked for a voucher to let me fly at another date.

And they let you get a voucher, you just need to pay the fee. Whats the problem?

They're selling me the voucher for $150 + difference in ticket price. I told them I'll happily pay the difference in ticket prices but I'm not about to shell out $450 extra.

AGIAN as already said they are doing you a favor if you bought non-refundable tickets. You made that choice so why are you blaming them?

Not gonna argue about it Two things. We booked our tickets over the telephone and were not told nor offered any type of ticket insurance. Number 2, it was a medical emergency, not a change of mind. My argument is more about the lack of customer service. If you don't understand what I mean from the example I gave up, then theres nothing I can do to help you understand

You were told they were non-refundable though.

Actually no the agent I booked the tickets with did not mention that they were non-refundable. This isn't about whether the tickets are refundable or not (since no one is disputing that's what kind of tickets these ended up being)

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

Once again, I'm with ZV.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Not gonna argue about it Two things. We booked our tickets over the telephone and were not told nor offered any type of ticket insurance. Number 2, it was a medical emergency, not a change of mind. My argument is more about the lack of customer service. If you don't understand what I mean from the example I gave up, then theres nothing I can do to help you understand

I fail to see the lack of customer service. Do you try to barter at the grocery store?

Read previously mentioned example of good customer service and then try to make the connection

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Not gonna argue about it Two things. We booked our tickets over the telephone and were not told nor offered any type of ticket insurance. Number 2, it was a medical emergency, not a change of mind. My argument is more about the lack of customer service. If you don't understand what I mean from the example I gave up, then theres nothing I can do to help you understand

I fail to see the lack of customer service. Do you try to barter at the grocery store?

Read previously mentioned example of good customer service and then try to make the connection

So good customer service = breaking a contract whenever the customer wants?

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

most or all nonrefundable tickets have an exception clause for medical illness that that is substantiated by a doctor's note. OP, you need to call your credit card company, airline and doctors office immediately and get them to fax a letter to the airline asap.

i had to get 3 tickets refunded last year due to a severe medical emergency and although it was a huge hassle, i got all of my money back (about 3k)

i used united airlines, and american express.

also forgot to mention, I booked my tickets through travelocity, but they lied to me and were completely useless. i called them first and they claimed that they talked to united on my behalf and said i could not get a refund and basically i would be screwed, but it was complete BS. they just wanted to collect their commission fees.

talk directly to the airline.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Not gonna argue about it Two things. We booked our tickets over the telephone and were not told nor offered any type of ticket insurance. Number 2, it was a medical emergency, not a change of mind. My argument is more about the lack of customer service. If you don't understand what I mean from the example I gave up, then theres nothing I can do to help you understand

I fail to see the lack of customer service. Do you try to barter at the grocery store?

Read previously mentioned example of good customer service and then try to make the connection

So good customer service = breaking a contract whenever the customer wants?

I guess "customer service" is lost on some people. When someone brings their clothes into our cleaners and we find rips or something, we normally just repair them without charging anything. This helps us generate more business as the customer becomes loyal to me. They'll easily fill that seat (again not going to argue about this) since we let them know in advance. If they'd waive the $450 in charges, they'd definitely earn some customer loyalty from my family.

Reading comprehension ftw

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: evident

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What part of "non-refundable ticket" didn't you understand? If you buy a car with a manual transmission and then suffer a debilitating knee injury that means you can't use a clutch anymore do you go back and ask the car dealer for a refund or to swap cars?

If you want to be able to change your travel plans, don't buy the discounted non-refundable tickets. Or, if you do buy those tickets, spend the $35 extra on the "ticket protector" insurance that allows you to change travel plans if there is a medical emergency like you are experiencing.

It's hardly the airline's fault in this case.

ZV

most or all nonrefundable tickets have an exception clause for medical illness that that is substantiated by a doctor's note. OP, you need to call your credit card company, airline and doctors office immediately and get them to fax a letter to the airline asap.

i had to get 3 tickets refunded last year due to a severe medical emergency and although it was a huge hassle, i got all of my money back (about 3k)

i used united airlines, and american express.

Thanks for the info In my case, it's US Air. A supervisor is supposed to give me a call back in an hour. I've got a letter from the doctor as well stating that my wife can not fly under any circumstances which I'm ready to fax it in. I've spoken with AMEX already and they told me not to worry about it, if the airline won't help me out, they'll credit me back and deal with the airline for me. She told me they've had this problem numerous times with certain airlines.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Reading comprehension ftw

I know how to read just fine. Hopefully your dickscarfery is only spawned by the frustration of your current situation plus the stress of having a pregnant wife.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Reading comprehension ftw

I know how to read just fine. Hopefully your dickscarfery is only spawned by the frustration of your current situation plus the stress of having a pregnant wife.

lol apparently not. Lead a horse to water, eh?

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Reading comprehension ftw

I know how to read just fine. Hopefully your dickscarfery is only spawned by the frustration of your current situation plus the stress of having a pregnant wife.

lol apparently not. Lead a horse to water, eh?

Spending 3 minutes of time and 2 cents on thread hardly compares to giving a person a several hundred dollar ticket back.

Edit - Also, how is it apparent that I can't comprehend what I'm reading?