Hawaiian Airlines will refund a would-be passenger a full $225 it collected as a processing fee after she canceled a Hawaii trip for three. Jane Wilkens was supposed to travel with her 77-year-old mother and a family friend, but her mother passed away unexpectedly on September.

When Wilkens asked for a refund for $4,287, Hawaiian Airlines tacked a $225 processing fee. Before Jane's mother could make the trip, she underwent surgery for a back problem, but she died three days later from a blood clot.

Wilkens had no trouble refunding payments she made to the Hilton Waikoloa Village resort for a $600 per night suite after she recounted the tragedy that hit her family. She was also able to refund two first-class tickets from Delta Air Lines for a separate trip to Maine after their planned Hawaii holiday.

The only bump was with Hawaiian Airlines, which informed her through a letter, of a $75 service fee per ticket. Paul Whitaker, the company's resolution coordinator, said while Jane's mother's death was an uncontrollable event, the fees were fair and reasonable.

"I thought that was ridiculous," Wilkens told the LA Times. "I bought those tickets nine months in advance and canceled seven months in advance. It's not like they wouldn't have time to resell them," she said.

"It wasn't the money, it was the principle," Wilkens explained.

Her story sparked public outrage in Hawaii. A frequent Hawaiian Air passenger canceled his booking after he read of the incident. On Thursday, airline spokesman Keoni Wagner admitted their mistake, apologized to Wilkens and promised to refund her the $225.

American Express, however, has beaten Hawaiian Airlines. Even before the air carrier decided on the refund, Amex already reimbursed Wilkens the amount as a goodwill gesture to a bereaved cardholder. Hawaiian Airlines promised to pay back also Amex the disputed $225.