Advice for Swiss airlines

[Disco]

Need some advice on a business class ticket P from Bangkok to Madrid on Swiss/ Lufthansa And hoping someone on the forum can assist. We are booked next week. My mum (101 years) who lives with us, fell and broke her arm 2 weeks ago, is in hospital, and we have to cancel trip. Numerous calls and emails to Swiss call centre (based in Fiji) and on-line technical support have told us the only option is to rebook on the highest biz level which is almost double the original fare. Because of longer term implications of mum’s fall, we find it difficult to assess when to travel and would prefer a credit. We have a certificate from the hospital with particulars including all our names. I have cancelled all other bookings , SIA,Iberia, accommodations with straightforward fees and little hassle. Unbelievably, for me, is the amount of stress involved with Swiss. We have travel insurance but because of her age being over 80 years ( by some) they will probably not accept the claim.
any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Flyfrequently]

How old was the father in law?

Another thing to watch out for is that even if the family member is under 80, there can be an exclusion of cover if that person has a pre-existing condition.

Another option if you really can’t get insurance is to buy award tickets which are refundable (for example through Aeroplan, $4400 return to europe business class), pay slightly extra for refundable hotels, and travel to countries where medicare has reciprocal arrangements. So UK is ok for example, plus around 10 other countries.

Not perfect, but perhaps better than nothing!

He was 86 @MEL_Traveller and had a pre existing condition. This was 2015, things may have changed since then.

Agree with all your other points, we have always done the fully refundable for accommodation and now looking at intra Eu refundable flights, rather fork out the extra € than lose out if plans change.

(Just means the kids and gkids get less when we fall off our perch!!)

 

[Disco]

He was 86 @MEL_Traveller and had a pre existing condition. This was 2015, things may have changed since then.

Agree with all your other points, we have always done the fully refundable for accommodation and now looking at intra Eu refundable flights, rather fork out the extra € than lose out if plans change.

(Just means the kids and gkids get less when we fall off our perch!!)

To follow up on the Credit card Insurance; I have been advised that the age (over 80 years) of my Mum does apply to any insurance claim we make and so, no luck there. And, to follow up on the booking. I have used airline on-line booking internet for previous trips and havent had a problem in that I havent had to change or cancel the trips. However, the Swiss on-line booking link would not allow me to change or cancel the booking i.e. I had to go through the Call Centre. Both self and staff of Swiss/Lufthansa could see different fares offered but these were not available to the Call Centre. It was a very frustrating situation. I have sent feedback to Swiss but whether this will achieve anything is rather doubtful. In light of the current Article just published I think it is important for people to know what may happen.