My mother and have two TrAAvel incentive certificates that were suddenly restricted last year - before that time you could renew the certificate for two years for a fee of $100. Last Oct they arbitrarily changed it to a one time 6 -12 month renewal. After that, the certificate is no longer valid. My mother and I renewed the certificates last year planning to travel this year before the certificates expire at the end of Oct 2008. Unfortunately my mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in December 07 and we've been fighting it ever since. She just completed chemotherapy and radiation treatment and is so weak and fragile she cannot fly and I've been taking care of her along with my sister - if you've gone through this you know how exhausting this is.
I called AA to request an extension (offering to pay the renewal fee) and explained the Breast Cancer situation - they coldly said "No, we can't help you." I then emailed the TrAAvel Incentive dept through AA.com. They said send in a letter from the Dr, the certificates, a letter of explanation, and the renewal fee and they'd take it to management.
Two days ago they called my mother - a woman named Sandy and flat outright said they wouldn't do it then based their decision on their new policy.
From what I can tell (and my Mother is pretty accurate on these things) - the AA rep Sandy was cold and rude.
And this is the way they treat a CANCER SURVIVOR. What chance does a normal healthy person have to be treated fairly and with a little bit of compassion? The odds are not good.
It's not like she (as I wrote them) stubbed her toe or tore a hang nail...she's been battling CANCER for nearly a year. AA could of cared less. I spoke to an attorney who says I can sue in small claims in CA - it's one of the few states that can happen even though AA is based out of Dallas. I emailed AA Customer Relations yesterday - no word as of today. The jury is still out.
I wonder how this will look if the NYT or CNN picks this up. I'm emailing both of them and anyone else I can find. After this experience I don't think anything will surprise me.
My mother is severely weakened, exhausted, hairless from the chemo and this is the treatment she and I received. How much would it have hurt AA to help my mother and me after all she's been through? None from where I can see. I'm going to email the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer as well. This is so unbelievable.
Daniel
