What can I do about airline tickets if we can't go?

[JESW]

We are scheduled to fly to Orlando November 11th and return on the 18th. It is a "surprise" trip for ds' 16th birthday. Kids don't know as of right now.

My 90 year old Dad has been in and out of the hospital and then re-hab recently with his congestive heart failure. He is now home and has made it clear that he is not going back into the hospital again. The visiting nurses come by and he has other help - he is still able to get around on his own and my Mom is still there with him. I also see them on a regular basis - today I take Mom food shopping.

Dad has said he wants us to go and they will be fine for the time we are gone. I have a brother who lives close by and a sister an hour away, plus all the folks in and out. I am torn about what to do and we still haven't decided. We are AP holders and own DVC so we wouldn't be out $$$ for either of them but it is just the plane tickets. Jet Blue doesn't give refunds but would they give us a credit if we just weren't comfortable about going? Right now I am just trying to figure out what our options are...

Thanks!

Jill

 

[tjmw2727]

We are scheduled to fly to Orlando November 11th and return on the 18th. It is a "surprise" trip for ds' 16th birthday. Kids don't know as of right now.

My 90 year old Dad has been in and out of the hospital and then re-hab recently with his congestive heart failure. He is now home and has made it clear that he is not going back into the hospital again. The visiting nurses come by and he has other help - he is still able to get around on his own and my Mom is still there with him. I also see them on a regular basis - today I take Mom food shopping.

Dad has said he wants us to go and they will be fine for the time we are gone. I have a brother who lives close by and a sister an hour away, plus all the folks in and out. I am torn about what to do and we still haven't decided. We are AP holders and own DVC so we wouldn't be out $$$ for either of them but it is just the plane tickets. Jet Blue doesn't give refunds but would they give us a credit if we just weren't comfortable about going? Right now I am just trying to figure out what our options are...

Thanks!

Jill

Jet Blue charges a $100 cancellation / change fee per passenger. So if you cancel you would get the fare less the $100 per person in a credit to use within a year. They don't waive the fee for illness / injury.

If you purchased the insurance then you can put in a claim to the insurance carrier and be reimbursed for the cancellation fees.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I am not of much help, but I understand your situation. I had a trip scheduled for the 3rd week in October. My 92 year old Dad also had the heart problems, and passed away Oct 12. I got very wrapped up in all the arrangements, and handling his estate. I did not even call Spirit to cancel the flights for me and my son to WDW, because I was so busy making 100s of OTHER phone calls, and I had no hope of getting any $$ back, or a credit. I had cheap fares booked, and they charge to even change a reservation, more than I paid for the original ticket.

So the day came for the flight, and we did not show up. Spirit called the house, I was not home, my 18 DD took the call. She explained what happened, said her grandfather had passed, etc, and they said they would give me a credit! DD asked, you mean for a future flight? And they said no, a refund to the card used to pay for the original ticket! I was floored, and thanked DD, and offered to split it with her. I am waiting for my next CC bill to see it refund was sent.

I guess the moral of the story is, you never know. Later I thought maybe my story looked extra believable since I never even tried to get a refund.

Edited: I saw the above post and remembered that I HAD the trip insurance from Spirit, I bought it by accident, but never claimed anything, but maybe THAT is why I am getting a refund? I am not sure DD, handled the call.

 

[phred52]

to OP

When my Dad was sick, I would take care of him at his home. He and my Mom insisted I carry on with my family vacation (gone 1 week), even though it meant he needed to set up several visits with the visiting RN service to administer his chemo.

I was protesting about going until my Mom pulled me aside and explained to me that it was important to my Dad that MY family vacation not be disrupted because of him.

So I went, had an okay time, worried a bunch, and was over there to check on him before I unpacked after returning home. You know what? He and Mom did fine in my absence.

Sounds like you have great back-up in place. My vote is go for it!