I had booked a flight from Chicago to Rome from Northwest Air Lines(Feb2001). I could not do the flight do to the fact my wife had an operation at that time. Northwest would not refund my 2k but did give me 2k credit for the flight for up to a year. Well, here we are a year later and my wife refuses to fly. Due to the 9-11, as well as the other events that have transpired since then involving flights. (Richard Anderson, the young man @ Midway with the knives, razors, flares, etc. Not so sure that the flight out of NY was a mechanical error.) Northwest would not give me my money back they said they can give me another year extension but no more. Am I screwed? I asked if I can transfer the tix they said no. Any advice?

ttttttt
Sorry Tyler but you need to fly or forget about $.

I don't mean this to sound callous, but what did you expect when you purchased a non-refundable ticket?

I smell a troll.
Check out the current Delta thread.

The only thing worse than NWA's inflight food, connection routing, and general aircraft cleanliness is their customer service attitude. Count yourself among the priviliged few that you even got the extension on ticket validity.

Dear Tyler:
Don't let these pea-brained retards on this forum deter you from getting your money back!
It's your money, you paid for the flight and if Northwest values you as a customer they should be willing to give you a refund.
DO NOT stop trying to get your money back.
Go straight to the top if you must, to the CEO, with a letter.
Good Luck!

I work with a major airline and Tyler, do what you must, but under no circumstances should you use Celeste's name. She's on the "unstable" database with every major airline. The minute she calls we all know to humor her as best we can, although sometimes it's very difficult. This is not the first time she's tried this voucher scam.

Tyler,

I'm impressed that NWA was nice enough to extend your ticket for another year.

The easy solution is to take the trip!

Friends from the UK are not able to use their US Airways tickets because he is having surgery. The airline agreed to set up a TWO year credit, and with the doctor's letter, waived the $200 in change fees. Their credit will remain available until spring 2004. Is it possible NWA will follow US Airways's lead? You will never get a refund, so work to extend the credit, and book soon. And get past 9-11 ... you have to resume flying sometime. Ciao

Oh, yea, here's a great bit of advice from Celeste. I'd sure want to do what she says considering how successful she's been for herself. Or haven't you read the incredible ever changing story of how Celeste or her husband threw away their two year old voucher for a freebie and now accuses everyone who doesn't side with her (including Delta) complete idiots? At least, I hope you haven't thrown away all your paperwork like Celeste did.

Oh, hush,xxx, celeste was quite nice about it. Really, you need to get past it. Your were wrong, it's obvious, and now you're unable to get past it. Not to coin a phrase, but get clear of it. Ciao

Celeste hit on a key point "if Northwest values you as a customer they should be willing to give you a refund." Through very sophisticated computer software, company's know who is or is not a valueable, profitable customer.

Frankly, a guy who flys once a year, and probably looks for the best deal on price, isn't really a valueable customer. That customer is an expensive customer because you have to chase his business with a less profitable fare.

The reality of the situation is that Tyler is not a valueable customer to them. He has had a ticket for over a year and hasn't been able to use it. The assumption on their part is that he doesn't fly frequently. Airlines have to make a profit or they won't exist.

When he purchased his ticket, he knew the rules. Shouldn't he live up to a contract that he agreed to?

Every bank and financial services company does the same thing. In most consumer driven industries, your top customers drive the bulk of your profit. You please the ones you have to because you can't please everyone.

Ryan brings up a good point.

THe business travelllers that travelled in Sept( after 9/11) and fly 100,000 or ,more miles a year are their best customers.

As soon as you give an airline your frequent traveler number, they know exactly how many flights and miles you have flown. The flight attendants on the plane also have access to this info.
Guess who stands a better chance of being bumped to first class?

Because you bought a NON REFUNDABLE ticket.

Seriously, you agreed to the rules and now you want them changed.

Give me a break. Why don't you call Celeste (the one with the BIG Delta voucher problem) and take her with you instead of your wife.

Northwest generously agreed to another extension. Next time you make travel arrangements buy a refundable ticket and get insurance.

I have a problem. I flew to Minneapolis on NW last week and forgot to take my coat and boots with me. When I arrived and discovered that it was cold and snowing, I went to the NW ticket counter to demand that they buy me a new winter wardrobe and they refused! I have sent 650 faxes to Northwest's CEO in the past two days about it but as of yet I still don't have a new coat and boots! Does anyone else think I am being treated unfairly by Northwest????

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the reason you can't get a refund is because you bought a nonrefundable ticket. Technically Northwest didn't have to give you a year's extension, so it sounds to me like they've been more than reasonable.

Those b@st@rds at NWA!!!
I'm never flyin them again.

First they won't refund your nonrefundable ticket, then they won't buy Waah a new wardrobe.

I expect better.
I'm moving in with Leona Helmsley.

I'd think in the next year your wife should be able to get over her fear of flying. There are various therapies available for this, and it really is an irrational fear. Chicago to Rome is a long haul, perhaps start with something she can handle. If she was willing to fly before, purchased airline tickets, but is not willing to fly now I don't see how you can hold the airline at fault. Certainly, she doesn't want to live with this fear the rest of her life. Good luck and let us know what you do.

Celeste, if you're reading these posts, I strongly suggest you get a lawyer and sue Fodors for allowing these posts to be printed. I would never put up with this kind of nonsense.

Attorney, you're kidding right?

Wait, I have an idea, if Fodors edits my comments, I can turn around a sue them for depriving me of my right to free speech, can't I?

Sounds like the lawyers win both ways!!

Just wondering, if I make a lawyer joke, will you sue me or cry?