Terminally Ill Flyer with Travel Insurance – Needing Refund

I am happy to report that I received a full refund from Priceline for
my unused tickets.

Thank you to my supports and to the negative nay sayers....I pray that
you will be a little more understanding and compassionate to others.

I am appalled and stunned at the level of disregard Priceline, and
those who commented here, are showing to Sonya. It appears to me that
she purchased insurance for her tickets. I would have done the same
thing. She is fighting for her life and now she has to fight for her
money back? Appalling. I will never use Priceline, that is for sure.
What has happened to this country and the citizens of it that we don't
honor our customers, or each other!!! This is wrong on so many levels.
By a simple customer service standpoint, the passionate-less response
she received is ridiculous. And by a human standpoint, it is sheer
ridiculousness. Appalling.

Perhaps you should have bought a refundable ticket.

This would have been the best bet in your situation.

Maybe look at taking the greyhound or something.


good day

I'd like to offer this to those negative responders...

Sonya could have done a lot of things differently in retrospect. She
could have gotten a second opinion on her symptoms and she might not
have needed experimental treatment. Shame on her? What she was
planning to go was to get treatment that might extend her life. She
was not planning to have bad counts. She was responsible and purchased
travel insurance. She is doing the best she can and is still working
and not absorbing off of the system. Hopefully she gets a break here
because she purchased the travel insurance and sure doesn't deserve
this financial burden & red tape to be yet another stresser in the
time she has left. Thanks for any compassion and understanding.

To Fairy with Fangs - This is the portion that actually applies and
does indeed cover Sonya's situation:

PART A. TRAVEL ARRANGEMENT PROTECTION
(Flight, Hotel Reservation and/or Rental Car Reservation Plan(s), as
applicable)

Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Benefits

Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation
The Insurer will pay a Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation Benefit, up to
the amount in the Schedule, if you are prevented from taking your
Flight, Hotel Reservation and/or Rental Car Reservation, as
applicable, due to your, an Immediate Family Member's, Traveling
Companion's, or Business Partner's Sickness, Injury or death or Other
Covered Events as defined, that occur(s) on or before the Scheduled
Travel Date of your Covered Trip. The Sickness or Injury must: a)
commence while your coverage is in effect under the plan; b) require
the examination and treatment by a Physician at the time the Covered
Trip is canceled; and c) in the written opinion of the treating
Physician, be so disabling as to prevent you from taking your Covered
Trip.

Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation Benefits
The Insurer will reimburse you, up to the amount in the Schedule for
the amount of prepaid, non-refundable, and unused Payments or Deposits
that you paid for your Flight, Hotel Reservation and/or Rental Car
Reservation, as applicable.

First - I am very sorry for your illness.

Second - It took me less then 3 minutes to find the part that says the
travel insurance doesn't cover this.

http://www.priceline.com/vacations/Lang/en-us/InfoCtr/Travel_TI_BC_Cov
erage.asp?session_key=5D0011AC3F0011AC2011051501182592eda0249096&plf=p
cln

THE INSURER WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY LOSS CAUSED BY OR INCURRED RESULTING
FROM:
medical treatment during or arising from a Covered Trip undertaken for
the purpose or intent of securing medical treatment;

Number 11 on the list under general plan exclusions in the description
of coverage. I found that in the FAQ's on pricelines site.

I think in this situation I would have read the refund guidelines
before buying the tickets.

It is not a HIPAA violation to ask you to sign a release for medical
information, it's a violation for a provider to give that information
without a signed release.

Delta offers Medical Fare in a medical emergency and Bereavement.
Terminal illness planned experimental treatment does not seemingly
qualify and we are so glad that Sonya is still with us and fighting!
There are probably ways to work the system – but Sonya has been
handling everything honestly and most honorably. Surely terminally
ill people should qualify for discounted rates via Priceline and such
and not be subject to inflated rates. And now – not be subjected to
people questioning who have not done their homework. While I wouldn't
wish cancer on any person - I hope some of these responders find
something more healthy to do with their time. What goes around comes
around. Best to treat others as we might want to be treated or wish
our family & friends treated.

Medical Fare
In the event of a medical emergency in your immediate family, you may
have to travel at the last minute. Since you may not have time to
qualify for an advance-purchase discount, we'd like to help.
Tickets must be purchased by calling any Delta ticketing location. For
reservations or pricing, call Delta Reservation Sales. These fares are
not available at delta.com.
Visit Delta Cares™ for information on professional services that might
assist you in a time of need.
Definition of Immediate Family
Immediate family includes:
Spouse
Domestic partner
Child
Parent
Sister
Brother
Stepparent
Stepchild
Grandparent
Grandchild
Aunt
Uncle
Niece
Nephew
Stepbrother
Mother-in-law
Father-in-law
Son-in-law
Daughter-in-law
Brother-in-law
Sister-in-law
Stepsister
Eligibility
The program is valid for SkyMiles Members needing to travel due to
medical emergency of an immediate family member who is suffering ill
health. If you are not currently a member you may immediately enroll
to qualify.
The ill family member must be hospitalized or under registered
hospice care. They may be at their residence provided they are
registered in a hospice program and that information is verifiable.
Travel to and from a military designated hospital to visit a war
injured immediate family member or fiancee is eligible for the medical
emergency fare.
An organ donor who does not have to be an immediate family member
who is traveling to or from a hospital for organ transplant
procedures.
Passenger must travel to and from location of hospital or hospice or
hospice home.
Exception: On a case by case basis Delta may allow travel to a city
other than the location of the hospital, but is nearby so passenger
can meet family members and drive to the hospital.
SkyMiles upgrades are permitted if booked in the appropriate class
of service.
Medical fares apply for travel:
Within the 50 United States
Between the 50 United States
Between the 50 United States and Canada
Between the 50 United States / Canada and Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands
Required Documentation
The following information (if applicable) is required so that you can
purchase a ticket using discounted Medical Fares:
The name and relationship of the ill family member in the
hospital/hospice or at home under hospice care
The name of the hospital the organ donor is traveling to
Name of fiancee in military hospital
Children and Infants
There is no child domestic medical fare.
Children will be ticketed at the same fare as an adult domestic
medical fare or applicable child's fare, whichever is lower.
First infant without a seat under the age of two—no charge. The
infant must be accompanied on all flights in the same compartment by
an adult.
Terms & Conditions
Purchase Requirements:
Tickets may be purchased within three days of travel. Required
documentation is subject to verification.
Changes/Standby:
Changes - permitted, including outward destination.
Cancellations – permitted.
Same Day Confirmed booking guidelines apply, but fee does not apply.
Reprice will handle.
SkyMiles Upgrades:
Systemwide upgrade certificates and North American upgrades are
permitted. Mileage upgrades may be used with the exception of award
codes D411, D412, D625, D627. To learn more about these codes and
about upgrades in general, see Upgrades.
Availability and Restrictions:
Note that Medical Fares are only available on Delta and Delta
Connection® flights. Other lower, more restrictive fares may be
available here on delta.com. Other restrictions may apply.
Bereavement
In the event of a death or imminent death in your immediate family,
you may have to travel at the last minute. Since you may not have time
to qualify for an advance-purchase discount, we'd like to help.
Tickets must be purchased by calling any Delta ticketing location. For
reservations or pricing, call Delta Reservation Sales. These fares are
not available at delta.com. Visit Delta Cares™ for information on
professional services to funeral directors and family members
responsible for transporting human remains and personal effects.
Definition of Immediate Family
Immediate family includes:
Spouse
Domestic partner
Child
Stepchild
Sister
Brother
Aunt
Uncle
Niece
Nephew
Stepbrother
Stepsister
Parent
Stepparent
Grandchild
Grandparent
Mother-in-law
Father-in-law
Son-in-law
Daughter-in-law
Brother-in-law
Sister-in-law
Fiancé


Required Documentation
The following information is required so that you can purchase a
ticket using discounted Bereavement Fares:
Deceased person’s name
Passenger's relationship to the deceased
Name and phone number of funeral home, hospital, or hospice
Name of doctor (if applicable)
Terms & Conditions
Purchase Requirements:
Domestic tickets need to be purchased and travel has to start within
three days (seven days for International) of the death or imminent
death of the immediate family member. Required documentation is
subject to verification.
Rules:
Fares valid for SkyMiles members
Ticketing penalties are waived but additional fares may apply
International tickets are subject to additional restrictions
Changes/Standby:
Changes on the return flight are permitted
Refunds are permitted only on unrestricted bereavement tickets
Standby is not permitted
Same Day Confirmed booking guidelines apply
SkyMiles Upgrades:
Systemwide upgrade certificates and North American upgrades are
permitted. SkyMile upgrades are permitted if booked in the appropriate
class of service. Mileage upgrades may be used with the exception of
award codes D411, and D412. To learn more about these codes and about
upgrades in general, see Upgrades.
Availability and Restrictions:
Note that Bereavement Fares are only available on Delta and Delta
Connection® flights. Other lower, more restrictive fares may be
available here on delta.com. Other restrictions may apply.