Non-refundable airline tickets Q

[Nikolaj]

Months back, I bought a friend round trip airline tickets to come visit next-- uh, this week for four days.
She is supposed to arrive at Bradley Airport here in CT near Hartford on Dec. 30.
My credit card, of course, was charged upon purchase. I got a good deal, but the cost isn't important- I don't care about losing the money. I care about hurting a friend of 20 years or more. Likely I will have to ask her, any minute now, not to come, and hope she will take it well.
I don't want a refund, but wonder if the airline would allow the ticket charged to me but in her name to be transfered or issue credit to her, so she could fly somewhere else with me paying for it, for maybe a silver lining to my cloud gift? She was very pleased then, still is, and now I feel like crap (I bought you tickets to come visit- But please don't come!) ---with it four days away, now. I'd kind of hoped she would cancel on me, and I gave her the chance, and she said 'no way!' Does non-refundable also mean you can't change your mind? Google.
I know I could call the airline and find out, just thought any frequent flyers might know the answer. Yes, you, in particular, who seems to take frequent flights, would you please tell me what the general policy might be? I believe I booked the reservation in either September or October for the Dec. 30 flight. Maybe they'd let me upgrade the ticket or something? To go anywhere but here?
Yet, even if that all works, I am canceling out on New Year's Eve plans, and I would love to see her, but just not now.
Bad friend. Is it fixable?

[LukeA]

Check with who you bought it from. Was it directly from the airline or one of the third party sites like Expedia?

[Nikolaj]

No third party. I think the airline is American.
Will check.

[LukeA]

http://www.aa.com/viewPromotionDetai...&_locale=en_US

The Hartford related weather related travel waiver is (currently) only for the next couple days.