You can purchase a refundable ticket, you just have to request it. If you do not cancel the flight before it takes off all portions of the flight are canceled but can be rescheduled for a fee (it was $100 the last time I changed a flight). The ticket is only good for 1 year from the original date of purchase.

All plane tickets are refundable unless a legend printed on them states that they are not. And all tickets may be changed without penalty unless a legend on them says penalties apply. Some airline personnel will refuse refunds or changes on tickets of a specific fare class, even if the tickets lack the required printed information. If that happens, demand to see a supervisor, and cite Rule 253.7. This federal regulation requires that a ticket be refunded or changed without charge if the restrictive endorsement is missing.

Refundable tickets are MUCH more expensive, so I doubt she got one. However, most airlines will issue you a voucher at no charge if you need to cancel a non-refundable ticket.

Hey Mitch, I think you mean "refundable tickets are MUCH more expensive"... not Non-refundable.

Yes I did. Thanks.

This "story" sounds like a stinko story some guy tried to run on me at Christmas. His story was the son was the one in the hospital but *69 made that baloney.

I would bet good money if you went out there you would be very disappointed. If he is 18 years old and in college his Dad has no say who can see or talk to him. If he was legit he would have given you concrete information about where he lived and how to get a hold of him. Kidney stones are not a common ailment for a young person but it would be for some kooky old fart that was looking for attention. It is totally inappropriate for this guys father to be telling you how you should act in a relationship.

I can understand how he would want to know about you; especially if you are distracting his son from accomplishing his degree but he should be expressing that to his son and him telling you. If you got into a serious relationship with this kind of father-in-law it is very likely to be a relationship that would ultimately fail.

It is quite likely you can put a hold on the airline ticket and use it to research someplace to work or go to further school. If you actually do a job interview somewhere you can at least write it off your taxes.

I can undertand the allure of having a life without a lot of structure but if you want that kind of freedom as life goes on you really need to get your schooling compleated. You have the ticket why not apply it to one of the student trips that colleges sponsor. With a reward to work toward it won't seem so much of a grind.

I am sorry this doesn't sound like it is going to turn out well. It is possible if you remain in control of your life he can coninue his education in a college near you if you both actually work through a plan.

You said, "basically putting myself in debt and will probably have to drop out of college for a few quarters so that I can pay it all back; and once I'm out of college I lose my health insurance. I'm giving up work time, college, health care and possibly my parents trust just to be there for my boyfriend".

You've only webcammed with him and you're going to do all of that?!