<p>Has anyone had any luck getting the change fee waived due to illness? Airline is American.</p>
<p>No, sent a D back to school last spring with full blown mono-they could care less about her or the public health issues. It is a good reason to purchase trip insurance.</p>
<p>Yes, we had our $150 change fee refunded by American Airlines when my husband was unable to travel due to my unscheduled surgery. We got a letter from the surgeon verifying the date of my surgery and sent it with our statement to American. It was a frustrating procedure that took awhile, but the money was finally refunded.</p>
<p>Thanks. I figure it is worth a try. For big trips I do purchase trip insurance. With these tickets by the time I pay the $150 the credit isn’t going to be worth much. I have a letter from my Dr so we will see.</p>
<p>Another reason to fly Southwest Airlines.</p>
<p>If only Southwest was available in my state!! Or any other discount airline, for that matter.</p>
<p>Southwest doesn’t fly out of our airport.</p>
<p>I only tried & succeeded with United. Bought ticket in February for kids to come home for Christmas break. Close relative got stage 4 cancer & they wanted to re-route their trip to stop & visit her en route to home. Called United & they said they had to impose $150 change fee but with proper medical documentation would provide refund. Refunds for both $150 change fees were issued less than a month after I faxed all documentation. A wrinkle: they wanted to re-credit the credit card the tickets were charged (but it was purchased by a 3rd party who would not pass the refund on), so I wanted a airline voucher for future travel. After some wrangling with United, I got it.</p>
<p>Good to know that with American at least one person was able to get a refund (tho the other wasn’t). I believe my niece has also gotten the change fee waived or refunded when she was very ill & had to have her trip rescheduled (presented a doctor’s note).</p>