Unless the person can prove that they had to be at a meeting at such a time, I don't see as though issuing a refund for that reason, as well as some of the others, could be done. Passengers make claims all of the time that they needed to be here, or there, and it is always something "important", like a funeral, wedding, or business meeting, which probably isn't the true story, coming from many passengers. They just think that line will get them something more.
Also, it states in the contract of carriage of basically every airline that changes in schedule, etc., will occur. The way I see it, non-refundable, is non-refundable. If you purchase something from the store that is non-refundable, than it is non-refundable, period.
I can understand certain circumstances that the airline could offer a voucher for the cost of a passenger's ticket, or at least, a portion of it, for future travel, but non-refundable is non-refundable. If passengers want to avoid these common inconveniences, they should stop looking for the cheapest options, and demanding first class service, but, instead, buy a full-fare, refundable ticket, and then they could have their requests fulfilled, without incurring additional charges, such as for changes, and in the event they cannot travel, whether by their own reason, or a flight disruption, they can receive a refund, no questions asked.
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Originally Posted by abutterfinger25
Actually, I believe Monkey is more concerned with schedule changes, not weather or mechanical related delays.
The Department takes the position that if a carrier makes a substantial change to a schedule, then the passenger is entitled to a full refund of his fare, even if it is a non-refundable ticket.
Substantial changes would be changing a non-stop into a connections, arriving or departing to a different airport, arriving at a destination in such a fashion that it would make the trip pointless (ex. flying to a meeting and the schedule change would make you arrive after the meeting). And possible others. I suggest that you contact the carrier for the refund in these situations and if that does not work, than contact DOT.
Monkey: Carriers state in their contract of carriage that they do not guarantee their schudules. Passengers, on the other hand, always have the option to buy tickets that allow for penalty free changes. But of course, these non-restrictive tickets do cost more.
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