Unable to Fly Due to Medical Reasons: Avoid Cancellation Fees with a Doctor's Note
Feeling Too Sick to Fly? Here’s What You Should Do
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Unable to Fly Due to Medical Reasons? A Doctor’s Note Might Help
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How to Ask for a Cancellation Fee Waiver with a Doctor's Note
- Read the fine print or contact your airline to determine whether a documented medical emergency is enough reason to waive a cancellation fee.
- Be in touch with your doctor so that he or she can vouch for you.
- Cancel more than 24 hours in advance.
- Ask your doctor (or a nurse or someone at the front desk) politely, and make it as easy for them as possible to provide a doctor's note.
- Provide the airline with as much information as possible about your medical condition, ask nicely, and follow up to check on the process of your cancellation fee waiver claim.
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How to Know If You're Too Sick to Fly
- A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- A contagious illness like the flu or COVID-19
- A sinus infection or respiratory symptoms
- Any condition that would make air travel unsafe for you or others
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I consider myself a nonrefundable-ticket sort of person. There are very few circumstances in which I'm willing to shell out significantly more to book a more flexible ticket, and until recently I had never been unable to fly due to medical reasons. The cost is simply too high. I'd rather cross my fingers and hope no complicating factors arise. Usually, that works.
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Like the time I got very ill a few days before a trip, and as the illness progressed, it became clear that I would be unable to fly. I could barely stand, let alone traipse halfway across the globe. I needed to cancel, but I wanted to avoid a stiff penalty if possible.
In my case, the cost to cancel my ticket would be $200, but the airline was among those that would waive the fee if I could provide a doctor's note.
I had the fortune/misfortune of a trip to the emergency room and multiple consultations with two different doctors, so I had a paper trail to back up my claim that I was unable to fly due to illness. The airline asked for a doctor's note, on the doctor's letterhead, including my name, confirmation number, and a clear statement indicating I was unable to fly for medical reasons. Luckily, the doctor’s office was familiar with this type of request and sent the note directly to the airline.
Related:Flight-Cancellation Rights: The Ultimate Guide
Because of some tight timing, I first had to cancel the flight and incur the $200 fee. Once the airline got my doctor’s note, the airline credited the fee back to me. In my case, the money now sits as credits to be used on a future flight, but since I planned on traveling with the airline in the next year, it was fine with me.
If you need to cancel a flight due to a medical reason and are hoping to avoid cancellation fees:
It's also worth mentioning that Southwest is the only U.S. airline not to charge cancellation fees.
Still debating whether to cancel your flight due to illness? If you’re wondering, you probably should. According to the CDC’s Before You Travel guidelines, you should avoid flying if you have:
When in doubt, consult your healthcare provider. If they advise against flying, request a written note, contact your airline, and begin the cancellation process. If for some reason you can’t cancel your flight and you are sick, wear a mask to protect those around you.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2013. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.