Cancel flight for medical reason?

[emilyj]

I don't think cancel is the right word...my H and I were supposed to leave on our Scotland/Ireland trip Sunday, but he had an accident on his bike Monday and shattered his collar bone and will be having surgery on Monday.

Obviously this means the trip is off. I know I need to call the airline and let them know we won't be on the flight.

I'm not even going to ask for a refund because it's Delta, we're both medallion members, and we'll definitely fly again, and I know they'll just issue the credit to be used within a year. What I would like to do is save the credit and do London/Ireland next May (I have a conference in London in May).

My actual question - because we are cancelling for a medical reason, if I have the appropriate documentation, does anyone know if I can get the change penalties and such waved? Or if I have any standing there because of his surgery?

[travelingturtle]

Do you have the travel insurance that covers medical stuff or did you pay for it on American Express (not sure if American Express does cover it, but it's more likely to)? From anything I've seen, the charges for penalties won't be changed.

[gtkim]

I hope your DH is ok.

I think it is worth it to try, but I wouldn't expect much. My Mom and I were supposed to travel, and she passed away very suddenly. Delta issued me a refund for her ticket less the cancellation fee, and this was for a death! I fought it and got my money back, but it took multiple letters and executive intervention.

[emilyj]

I did pay on Amex, and but I don't have trip insurance - because we weren't flying round trip out of the same airports, Delta would not offer it.

Like I said, I don't want a refund, because I'll definitely re-book another flight with Delta, I was just wondering if I could fight the change penalties at all.

[frlcb]

I would say Delta is more willing to do it based on what level medallion you are. My parents are diamond and Delta is way more accommodating to them than they are to me, a silver It doesn't hurt to try.

[emilyj]

As a follow up, I was able to get the full credit amount for our flights, and all of the change/cancellation fees waived for the flights. I was also able to negotiate an extension - originally they said I had to complete the new travel by February 2013, but I was able to barter to be able to re-book by February 2013 and travel later than that. I had to go to a Delta supervisor, but once I spoke to him and explained the situation (and offered to provide doctor's notes/medical proof) he was really nice.

I'm sliver medallion, fwiw. The whole process was actually pretty painless, and I'm really pleased.