[airhead]

Way to go Nancy! I am glad some people are willing to do the hard thing in front of their own wants. You made my day. You did the right thing too.

Most fares DO allow a passenger to change without a fee because of medical reasons if the change is done ahead of time and not just hours before departure. If you gave the airline a reasonable amount of time of notice with a signed docs note and it is not a total restrictive, non refundable fare then you have a good chance of getting that change fee refunded.

I would consider an illness an "act of god" as outlined in their contract of carriage but that interpretation is open for discussion. I suggest you use it as I would not consider that a false testimony. It makes sense to me. Good luck to you.

For others out there reading this...offer to fax or have someone else send a docs note to a manager. If one does not accept, try another. American Airlines has so many mangers the odds are on your side...just be nice otherwise they will make a "comment" on the itinerary and that is not good.