A: I’m sorry for your loss. American was right to ask for documentation but wrong to ignore you. Right, because too many passengers have claimed that a relative died and have taken advantage of an airline’s generous policy of waiving fees (never mind that the fees shouldn’t even exist; I’m not going there today). But American was wrong to ignore your repeated request for a refund after you showed the proper documentation.

Here’s what hurts about a case like this: It’s happening at precisely the time when you need a little compassion and, indeed, at a time when a company agrees to help you. I think that’s what makes American’s broken promise hurt most: It’s not about the $400; it’s the principle.

I’m not surprised by the airline’s radio silence. That happens with every airline, but when you’re the world’s largest, as American is, it’s easy to get lost in the thousands of complaints. For what it’s worth, I don’t think American ignored you deliberately. As one of the most complained-about air carriers, it probably was just struggling to keep up with the crush of emails.

Still, it’s no excuse for what happened to you. After you failed to get a response from the customer-service department, you could have appealed to one of American’s executives. I list their names, numbers and email addresses on my consumer-advocacy site: elliott.org/company-contacts/american.

I contacted American on your behalf. The airline says it emailed you in August, asking for documentation of your brother-in-law’s death, but never heard back from you. I would almost believe the airline, except that you sent the documents several times. I think American just lost your file.

That’s easily remedied. You re-sent his death certificate, and American Airlines refunded your $400, as promised.

Christopher Elliott is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine and the author of “How to Be the World’s Smartest Traveler.” You can read more travel tips on his blog, www.elliott.org, or email him at chris@elliott.org.