Hi we recently got back from a trip to the UK for a death in the family.

Basically we are trying to get back the $2600 we spent on flights that we were booked on to fly to London. I was deathly ill on the way to Mexico city and could not get on this flight. We booked another one for another $2100 later in the week with American airlines.

I just spoke with Expedia's travel insurer and because I didn't see a doctor they won't pay.

Pardon me for being too busy puking to call a doctor to the Hilton Hotel..so basically we are #)*$#*$ed!

I was just wondering if there is any other recourse here? He said there was not as I did not go to the hospital or get a doctors note. I was just trying to think is there any other way to claim this? What about homeowners insurance or American Express?

Is there anyone at the hotel that could write you a letter? RR

Lesfaye - What a bummer! But if the terms and conditions specify doctor/hospital verification, they may have the "right" to deny your claim.

I don't know if you have anything similar in Seattle, but in the Bay Area, there is a Travel Troubleshooter who has a column in the SF Chronicle on Sunday. If there is someone similar in your area (or even a Consumer Advocate at your local TV station) they can apply leverage and sometimes get resolution.

Thanks for that TourMama!

In all honesty, I don't think I've ever seen a travel insurance policy that covers trip cancellation or interruption for medical reasons without requiring documentation by a doctor that you're too sick to travel. Some policies require you to consult a doctor before cancellation, and others permit it within a certain period (e.g., 72 hours) after cancellation. It's always spelled out in the terms and conditions. It's burdensome, to be sure, but otherwise anybody could cancel for any reason and say it was because they were sick.

There are (more expensive) policies that allow "cancellation for any reason," but it sounds like you didn't have one of those, did you?

An alternative is to look at the terms of your fare and how you cancelled the ticket, which you didn't state in your original post. Sometimes even nonrefundable tickets will allow you a credit or voucher for future travel, minus a hefty change fee, in case of physical emergency--though the airlines, too, will want documentation, for the same reason as an insurer will.

I may not be totally clear on the situation. Where were you traveling from when the death in the Family occured? Were you in Mexico then you were going to fly to London and then back to Mexico? RR

Robert - you can find the story on this thread.

Yes I need to look at terms and conditions and I will be writing to Expedia and to NW airlines as well.

The policy I purchased was offered on line with Expedia when I purchased the ticket. I am sure its not cancellable for any reason, at the time of purchase we were in shock from the news and panicked so reading T's & C's was not a priority at the time...I just can't believe we can't get ANYTHING!

I am not going to let this go I will be contacting Expedia by letter along with contacting NW airlines which is where the tickets were purchased from according to my American Express statement.

Lesfaye,

What about contacting "Get Jesse" from King 5 TV? You know, the news guy that goes after fraud, scams and just unethical acts. It might be worth it.

Laura

Thanks Laura! But I think we will be ok...I spoke to Expedia and the said no way to the refund same with NW airlines...BUT, we can use these tickets and re-book them for another international flight!!!!

So other than these were very expensive we will totally find a way to use these puppies, I just hope they don't give us a hard time when trying to re-book! Might get ther runaround like they do with frequent flyer tickets...

We had plans to go to Paris first week in September and then continue to England perhaps we can use these then...woohoo!

I feel better now!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by lesfaye:
Thanks Laura! But I think we will be ok...I spoke to Expedia and the said no way to the refund same with NW airlines...BUT, we can use these tickets and re-book them for another international flight!!!!

So other than these were very expensive we will totally find a way to use these puppies, I just hope they don't give us a hard time when trying to re-book! Might get ther runaround like they do with frequent flyer tickets...

We had plans to go to Paris first week in September and then continue to England perhaps we can use these then...woohoo!

I feel better now!!!!

Sorry for all the suff you have been through. I would book ASAP on that Sept flight! RR

Yes we will! Thanks Robert!