Q: While my wife and I were in the Caribbean last summer, my brother-in-law passed away. I called American Airlines, and the airline changed our schedule to fly home early so I could give my sister support and help with last-minute arrangements for the funeral.
The American representative who changed our tickets was very understanding and indicated that she had to charge a $200-per-person change fee, but assured me that once documentation was provided I would be reimbursed the $400. That was the last verbal communication I had with American Airlines.
Since you can’t talk to anyone in American’s customer-relations department, I emailed the airline and received a reply late last summer indicating that a credit would be given as a one-time courtesy. I emailed back thanking American Airlines for its consideration. Since then, nothing. I emailed again in January, receiving the standard automated response every time.
“Customer relations” apparently means “no relations with the customer.” I would appreciate if you could help me obtain my refund. — Charles Wohlust, Winter Park, Florida
A: I’m sorry for your loss. American was right to ask for documentation but wrong to ignore you. Right, because too many passengers have claimed that a relative died and have taken advantage of an airline’s generous policy of waiving fees (never mind that the fees shouldn’t even exist — I’m not going there today). But American was wrong to ignore your repeated request for a refund after you showed the proper documentation.
Here’s what hurts about a case like this: It’s happening at precisely the time when you need a little compassion, and indeed, at a time when a company agrees to help you. I think that’s what makes American’s broken promise hurt most: It’s not about the $400; it’s the principle.
I’m not surprised by the airline’s radio silence. That happens with every airline, but when you’re the world’s largest, as American is, it’s easy to get lost in the thousands of complaints. For what it’s worth, I don’t think American ignored you deliberately. As one of the most complained-about air carriers, it probably was just struggling to keep up with the crush of emails.
Still, it’s no excuse for what happened to you. After you failed to get a response from the customer-service department, you could have appealed to one of American’s executives. I list their names, numbers and email addresses on my consumer-advocacy site: elliott.org/company-contacts.
I contacted American on your behalf. The airline says it emailed you in August, asking for documentation of your brother-in-law’s death, but never heard back from you. I would almost believe the airline, except that you sent the documents several times. I think American just lost your file.
That’s easily remedied. You re-sent his death certificate, and American Airlines refunded your $400, as promised.
