[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by airhead

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.

Actually, airhead, most airlines do not have a provision for illness as a reason to waive a change fee.

Originally Posted by airhead

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.

Perhaps you do, but the airlines don't. The only way an "act of god" gets anyone off the hook is when it happens to the airlines. The COCs are written that way. Yes, it's one sided, but it's just the way it is. One might consider a traffic jam or flat tire on the way to the airport an "act of god" but that argument will get you nowhere with an airline.

Originally Posted by airhead

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.

Please don't falsely inflate the hopes of those reading this. Airlines rarely make exceptions for illness. They do, however, make exceptions for death. Here's the wording from AA's fare rules:

--- V. IN THE CASE OF THE DEATH OF THE PASSENGER/ IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER/ OR A TRAVELING COMPANION/ THE CHANGE FEE MAY BE WAIVED OR THE TICKET REFUNDED PROVIDED A COPY OF THE DEATH CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED TO AA. REFUND WILL BE IN THE FORM OF A NONREFUNDABLE TRANSPORTATION VOUCHER THAT MAY BE USED FOR FUTURE TRAVEL ON AA ONLY. IN THE CASE OF THE PASSENGER/S DEATH THE REFUND WILL BE TO THE PASSENGER/S ESTATE VIA THE ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT. ALL REFUND REQUESTS MUST BE SENT TO AA PASSENGER REFUNDS.

So if you're ill and want the change fee waived you'd better have a loved one call AA after you've died and they better have your death certificate.