Call AA. Ask for a refund. If thru steadfastly refuse, I would t least ask for the miles - original routing credit. Be clear, factual, and calm in the letter. State plainly that the delays madenthe trip impossible and that you request a refund. Don't threaten and be reasonable in the demands (e.g. don't ask or the cost of the dress).

You could also contact an ombudsman like Elliott.org if you don't get satisfaction.

So sorry for your negative experience

Might check with your CC company you paid your ticket with.

Mine has built in Travel Insurance that covers this.

Also might do a "merchant reversal" dispute the charge

with your CC company they will immediately reverse the fee

back to you in the form of a credit and do an investigation.

Sometimes they will satisfy you if you turn the heat up a bit.

In the future might www.insuremytrip.com from $1-2/day

for any eventualities has saved my bacon X 2 this year

Last spring for the Iceland volcano and fall in Ecuador

for civil unrest cancellations.. Good Luck!

Thank you all so much.

I did try to call customer service, but due to the overwhelming number of weather issues, they are not taking any calls.

So I emailed, using 'trip in vain', 'diverted flight due to medical incident' and the best recap:

<You bought a valid ticket, and through delays caused by AA's internal procedures, and their unwillingness to provide you alternate timely transport to your intended destination, the point of the whole trip was moot.>
(Thanks Gardyloo)

Even if nothing comes of this, I feel better for trying.

Hey Queenie,

One other possibility -- if AA doesn't cooperate, send a copy of the whole thing to that guy in the Tribune Business pages who does consumer advocacy. You can find him on the website, he's the "Problem Solver" Jon Yates. Since you're in Chicago, since Chicago is an AA hub, and since there's the human interest angle of missing a wedding, he might take on your cause. Good luck with this!

I wouldn't be too quick to commend AA for making a landing because of a medical emergency. Landing isn't always the best thing to do. Many medical problems can either be stabilized and wait until the normal arrival, or are so serious that making a landing as soon as possible will still be too late. In the former case, the airline wastes the time of all its passengers and puts them at risk by deviating from the normal schedule and procedures. Contrary to the Hollywood stereotype, you don't just dive down and land as soon as someone gets sick.

Anthony, I'm sure all those issues were taken under advisement before the emergency landing was decided upon. I don't know about AA but DL consults with emergency medical staff (at the May Clinic IIR) before making a decision.

I'm sure AA made the best decision for welfare of the ill passenger (and really, in a case such as this, that's all that matters). Without any of us, including the OP, knowing exactly what was wrong, I'll assume AA did exactly the right thing. :)

It's not like there's a full clinic's worth of equipment and supplies onboard an aircraft. Having talked to physicians who tended to an inflight emergency, they both said they were suprised at how rudimentary the supplies were.

UPDATE:
Well I heard back from AA in less than a weeks time.

They have generously given me a travel voucher for the full cost of the flight. I am very pleased.

Thank you all for your insight, and wording suggestions.

glad to hear you had a good result.

thanks to all the posters who provided insight. I hope that this knowledge is useless for me, but unfortunately, I'll probably need it sometime!

<i>They have generously given me a travel voucher for the full cost of the flight. I am very pleased.</i>

Good on 'ya. Way to go.

That's great news! Thanks for reporting back. :)

Superb news!

awesome!

You are welcome.

As I always say, it never hurts to ask! ongratulations, and I hope your next trip goes better.