Clever letter to American Airlines helps devoted uncle save $200

BUFFALO, NY -- A New York man recently proved that writing a letter can actually go a long way.

Alex Hamberger was supposed to fly from Buffalo to Kansas City in March to see his young niece, Mia, WIVB reports.

But he suddenly got sick. His doctor told him he shouldn't make the trip. His plane ticket was non-refundable and cancelling would mean a $200 fee.

Hamberger decided to write to American Airlines. He included a note from his doctor and pictures of his niece.

"Dear most kind and benevolent American Airlines customer service staff member, I write to you with the hopes that you may take mercy on me and afford a little sympathy for this flyer who has taken quite ill and had to postpone his trip to see his beloved niece... I visited the doctor that evening, and he was sufficiently concerned with my symptoms, and suggested I cancel my trip to Kansas City the following day. Why?? I wondered silently to myself," the letter said in part.

A few weeks later, Hamberger received a response.

"Dear Mr. Hamberger, thank you for your letter to customer relations. I enjoyed reading it, and your photo story to match... I sure don't want your niece to be disappointed if you don't show up," the letter said in part.

The airline ended up waiving the cancellation fee and helped Hamberger re-book his trip. The grateful flyer will be seeing his niece very soon.