I received great care but want to get back to the states and change my flight. I've had the worst time with the airlines. We have travel insurance through am ex but their office is still closed.
does anyone have tips? We can't afford to spend another 2k just to get home 2 days sooner but I cannot stay in a hotel room any longer. I just need to get home! It's my first time using crutches and they are not easy.
Thank you
Posted by
Green Bay
20072 posts
call 312-980-7807. I just called and talked to some one there. 24/7.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32201 posts
I've experienced a similar problem on a trip to Italy. My first question is, did you use a travel agent to book your flights? If so that would be the best place to start in rebooking flights.
Does your travel insurance not provide a 24/7 number for dealing with claims?
One point to mention is that you may need prior approval from the airline to travel with an injury (I did and my travel agent took care of that).
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32733 posts
How did things work out, Sue?
Posted by
Chicago
8045 posts
It is dangerous to fly with a cast and to fly with this type injury; you need to be packaged appropriately for the fight and your travel insurance should arrange an appropriate flight situation, probably in business class so your injury can be elevated. To do this requires orders from your doctor about flying. The insurance company then approves and pays for the appropriate upgrade to get you home. A coach flight with a broken ankle raises the risk of DVT and death and a cast can cause strangulation, clots and cutting off blood supply. Presumably they have you in a boot and not a cast but in any case, you need medical advice to fly and your travel insurance which should have a 24 hour number should arrange this.
I broke an elbow and had surgery in the middle of a 10 week trip. I had no trouble reaching the insurance company off hours and if I had needed special flight considerations, they would have taken care of it. I decided to continue my trip as I didn't want to lose 5 weeks of planned travel.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5835 posts
A coach flight with a broken ankle raises the risk of DVT and death and a cast can cause strangulation, clots and cutting off blood supply.
I suffered a Grade 2 hamstring tear at the start of a cross country ski event in Italy 4 winters ago. My return flight was a week or so after the injury that I self-treated with ice and NSAIDs. Being a man I didn't see a doctor until my return home. I was fortunate to have the center row to myself on the overseas flight and able to sit with the injured leg elevated. Even with leg elevated, my injured leg swelled and darkened with pooled blood. My Doc ordered a UT scan for clots and fortunately didn't detect any. Took two months and physical therapy to get back to 90%+.
Seeking medical advice about travel before flying back would be a good idea. Don't self-medicate.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32201 posts
To add to my earlier reply, the Physician instructed me to keep my injured leg elevated during flights, and was able to do that for two of the three flights. The hospital also provided a month's supply of injectable anti-coagulants which had to be administered daily, including on the flights. That meant an upgrade to Business Class, which the insurance company covered. I didn't notice any swelling or other adverse effects at all.
Posted by
Pennsylvania, USA
639 posts
I hope you are OK. Please keep us updated. I do hope you made it home safely.