American Airlines

[uforgot]

I had to get my son a ticket when his uncle died in July, and I found out he couldn't make the flight I got him. (Red Cross didn't notify the Navy in time, etc), so I had to get him another on a different airline. American Airlines said he had up to a year to use the ticket, since I got one that was non-refundable. Well, that was in July and he didn't use it, only one leave and he had to drive some belongings home to store.

Fast forward...February and he is deployed for 6 months. He hasn't used the ticket, and won't be home before it expires. I emailed American Airlines and asked if it could be extended so he can come home when he gets back. I was hoping for a couple of extra months. They replied "Sorry, we can't extend it, but we CAN exchange it for a voucher good for one year from today for him or his family to use. We appreciate his service with the Armed Forces. You must be very proud of him (I am!)".

Now, instead of expiring in July, he has until April 2010, and if I want to use it to go see him come back, I CAN! I thought I was just going to lose that money. (I fly often enough to know how rigid they are with the non-refundable rules)

One email, and they replied within 24 hours with the voucher. Thanks American!

[Tuckervill]

How nice!

Karen

[teigyr]

AA has done some fantastic things. This whole past winter, one of their gates at SeaTac (Seattle) was decorated and I finally found out why:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/569833.html

While I realize that all companies donate time and services for various charities and causes, their employees put a LOT of work into this and they really made this little bit of the airport turn into a castle. I kept wanting to take a picture of it each time I walked by but I didn't...it was really very stunning, much more than how it looks online from news stories.

I'm glad you had a good experience. They are The Competition but I think right now all us airline types need to stick together and support each other. It's really great to see positive experiences and kudos.

Claudia, all of us really appreciate people in the armed forces :) I know our agents will do anything to try to upgrade service people or they will at least try to make their trip be more pleasant. That is excellent to hear we're not the only ones.

[uforgot]

Thanks for the link! What a wonderful idea, taking those kids to Disneyland on the holiday, when it would probably be a pretty rough time for them. I wish we saw more of this sort of thing on the news rather than what some "star" is doing or wearing for the holidays. I get so weary of reading the garbage when there are so many ordinary people and groups doing very extraordinary things for others.

[andtckrtoo]

Thanks for posting! It's so nice to hear of good things the airlines are doing!