us air the airline tells me i have a non refundable ticket?

Question

2 weeks ago i purchased a ticket on my credit card from us air. philadelphia to santo domingo.. at the time of purchase i told the agent i was not shure if iwould make ti there in time before my freind died.. i was told the ticket would be refunded if i told then of this before the day of flight.. that my money would be returned..when i injured myself from a fall i called and canclled the ticket..i was told i could use the ticket for one year no refund would be made and 100 extra would be added to the ticket.. can i do any thing about this..is there any kind of law us air violated this seems harsh..

Answer 1

First sorry about your friend.

Now if you bought it online your stuck. You did say you bought it form the airline directly. There should be someway to get your money back. Considering the circumstance I would get furious on the phone.

Tell them you never travel and why you were going to begin with. They will act as if they care and try to explain you can use it up to a year out. Adding $100 is rediculous, I had to do this one but don't like it.

A good company should stick to "the customer is always right."
If you want you could hang onto the ticket and hit up a different locale. Try finding someplace where the ticket is $100 cheaper then the one you bought. This way if they add $100 it won't piss you off.

On the other note. All airlines have that guideline. Others would work with you more. I don't think there is a law against it as it's been around for over 6 years.

I hope you get this resolved.

Answer 2

Airlines have bereavement policies where they give substantial discounts for flights to attend funerals, etc. (providing copy of death certificate). However, the U.S. Air agent probably misinformed you about a refund if your friend died before you used your plane ticket. A NONrefundable ticket is the cheapest ticket to buy, but it's also the most restrictive if you don't show up for departure. (US Air will refund fully-refundable, unused tickets purchased by credit cards within 7 business days.)

It's doubtful that any airline would issue a refund if you fail to use it due to personal injury. You can always dispute it as unreasonable, but it sounds like the airline is following its ticket policies. There's always a $75-$100 maintenance fee when you don't use a ticket which is kept in their system for one year.

Here's the info from http://www.usair.com/awa/content/aboutus/customersfirst/customerserviceplan.aspx

"US Airways will assign a customer service representative responsible for handling passenger complaints and ensuring that all written complaints are responded to within 60 days.

Phone: [phone].
E-Mail: Customer Relations department
By Mail: US Airways
Attention: Customer Relations Department
4000 East Sky Harbor Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Answer 3

I am so sorry to hear you are going through this ordeal. It certainly seems as though you were serviced by an incompetent US Air employee. Did you, by any chance, write down his/her name? I would try to climb the ladder of complaint and go to the supervisor. Written complaint is always the most effective. But remember, STAY FOCUSED AND CALM, BUT FIRM! Oh, and don't let them tell you "there is nothing they can do". THEY CAN!!! Let them get upset, but you stay calm. If they get excited that will only work in your favor. I would also contact Clark Howard. He and his crew of experts will most definitely give you an answer. Besides since you paid via credit card, there is always an option of disputing the charges and having your credit card company get involved. Good luck and don't give up. I am sorry about your friend as well. God bless.