November 29, 2007
Which airlines charge your surviving relatives a cancellation fee if you die before you fly?
A while back, Mancunian gave us some information on airline tickets and extra charges. Recently, a reader commented on my post about the US - London British Air sale noting that extra fees basically doubled the cost of a ticket; the sale was no bargain.
Continuing that theme, we have an article from Christopher Elliott. There's some very good information and some very bad omissions. For example I think it is worth noting which airlines charge a cancellation fee when you die but CNN doesn't give us that information:
When a passenger dies, airlines usually cut them a break. Sort of. Their next of kin can apply for a refund. But even in death, airlines have figured out how to make a little extra money. Check out this clause in one airline tariff: "NOTE -- IN THE EVENT OF DEATH OF PASSENGER AN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE CHARGE OF USD 50.00 WILL BE ASSESSED IN ORDER TO PROCESS A REFUND." The airline doesn't want passengers to abuse this "perk" so it adds, "PROOF OF DEATH MAY BE REQUIRED."I, for one, would like to know which airline. Does anyone want to ask why Christopher Elliott is keeping that secret?
Anyway, it's an article worth reading.
Posted by James Trotta at November 29, 2007 12:15 PM | TrackBack
like OMG!!!!
Posted by: fhghgggg at November 29, 2007 6:25 PMSo talk about money hungry scavenging relatives......trying to cash in on their deceased relatives un-used airline tickets! OMG is right! That is while they are stuffing the jewlery into their purses probably......juggling the airline tickets and cell phones in their other hand.......
Seriously......so does it count if there is not time for the airline to not resell the seat to someone else...........or was it a refundable ticket that was purchased.....and it comes with beneficeraries..........
This is not an insurance policy. It's an airline ticket.....death is not inevitable for it. But we hold the airline responsible for reinbursement regardless if the seat gets left unfilled. So it is their fault the person died!
Wow....greedy relatives! I think the only case scenario I can think of, where that would not be extremely improper would be if the husband and wife were planning a vacation together....and one of them died before they could take it.....so the surviving spouse...that was going originally had to cancel the trip and wanted a refund or the tickets value deposited into their frequent flyer account, so she could re-use them again in the future........
Being the surviving spouse should entitle them to use the tickets themselves being they (as a couple) are the ones that bought them in the first place.......not just a greedy relative trying to liquidate their relatives "assets" to benifet themselves!
Posted by: Rhonda Peterson at November 29, 2007 7:45 PM