After 9/11, Courtesy From Germans

Regarding “Refunds Now the Target of Customer Complaints� (Travel Insider, Nov. 4): As independent travelers, we were heartbroken to have to cancel a trip to Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland because of Sept. 11. We had two nonrefundable round-trip tickets to Dusseldorf, Germany. Out of courtesy to the airline, LTU, I called to say we had canceled our trip and asked whether someone else could use our space on the plane. The airline agent asked for my name and address and told me the airline would refund our money. I was dumbfounded, and when I asked “How come?� the answer was that we Americans had suffered enough. We have indeed received a refund.

More kudos for Germany: The hotel in Berlin that we had to cancel sent us a letter saying they hoped our family and friends were all OK and sent their best wishes.

These incidents were heartwarming and extraordinary. We plan to resume our travel as soon as possible.

BETTY BRUNS

Encino