Airlines that have bereavement fares? Any experience here?

[bertha katzenengel]

I don't know yet, but I need to check it out. Thanks.

[LaurenG]

1. Yes I used them on American

I had to book the flight less than 12 hours before leaving. They charged me well under the rate for a last minute booking. They do want info though about the deceased.

[bertha katzenengel]

3. thank you

:)

[nosillies]

2. I have used American and Continental for bereavement fares.

They aren't really cheap tickets, just a way better rate than the sky-high norms for last minute rates. And they will ask lots of questions about the circumstances (i.e. the death/dead person) that may make some sad or uncomfortable.

[bertha katzenengel]

4. thank you

:)

[nosillies]

6. I just saw your other post...

You and your family are in my thoughts...hang in there.

[yewberry]

5. Yeah.

The fares aren't super, but they tend to be a bit less high. Some airlines will also waive their flight-change fees in these cases. Low-fare airlines (Southwest et al) don't offer these fares, but their prices are sometimes better than the "discounted" tickets from the other companies.

I was asked to name the funeral home that was holding the services and the name of the deceased, too. I'm pretty sure that some airlines do offer these fares in cases of imminent death also.

Sorry to hear that your family is facing this. Good luck.

[Madrone]

7. Experience x 2 -

I've had to make 2 unexpected flights home due to family medical emergencies.

I NOMINATE AMERICAN AIRLINES WHOLEHEARTEDLY, WITHOUT RESERVATION AND EMPHATICALLY.

The first time my mom had emergency brain surgery. After thinking about it I decided I wanted to go home before she went to the hospital - I didn't know if she'd be sent home and scheduled an appointment 2 weeks out or if they'd admit her immediately. She was due to go in on a Tuesday, and after thinking about it I decided it was important to go home before then - to see her and spend time with her before the possibility of brain surgery. I didn't know if she'd live through it, or know who I was after having it. I called every airline known to man - none were helpful. Some wench at United basically told me that I should wait until after mom had the surgery and if there were an emergency or if she died THEN I should get a ticket and fly home. Because she wasn't actually *in* the hospital at the time I was trying to go home I was beating my head against a brick wall. Then I called American. Whomever I spoke to wasn't only helpful, they were genuine and compassionate. She went out of her way to help me iron out the particulars and get me a flight. Because mom wasn't in the hospital yet she told me all I had to do was get the name of the hospital she was scheduled to be at and the name of the neurosurgeon she was to meet with. They issued me a ticket and I flew home late Friday night (mom didn't know I was coming - it was surprise) and a friend picked me up at the airport and took me to my mom's the next morning.

The second time my mother's husband had a massive heart attack and was expected to die. I didn't even mess around with calling any airline other than America. They treated me exceptionally well the first time, AND were the cheapest - so I called them this time as well. Again - very genuine and compassionate people on the phone helping me get things squared away. This is a HUGELY long story - but the cliff notes of the cliff notes version is that due to weather in Chicago my flight out of Seattle was delayed, and my flight to Kalamazoo from Chicago was canceled. One of the flight attendants lived in the Chicago suburbs and our flight was her last one. She DROVE me to Kalamazoo from the airport!! We are talking a 3 our drive - each way. SHE DROVE ME ALL THE WAY HOME - on her own time and her own dime. Unbelievable!

I'll never call another airline if I'm ever again in similar circumstances.

FYI - Each time the ticket was between $500 and $600 - although probably closer to $600. One very helpful thing about the bereavement fares was it's pretty much open ended. You have to give a leave and a return date when you book the ticket - but the return date can be moved around as often as needed with no penalty.

I can't say enough about how I was treated by American Airlines during these two already difficult situations - and I've only given you the outline. There's actually more to the story - how accommodating, compassionate and helpful they were. They went far, FAR above the call of duty to help me out and I'll never forget their assistance.

[bertha katzenengel]

18. Thank you, Experience

I think I will call American when the time comes. Thank you for your long story - it helped.

[havocmom]

8. Some airlines require a copy of a death certificate withing a few weeks

too, so make sure and inquire as to what the will need and when they will need it from you.

[riderinthestorm]

9. I had better luck just going with Travelocity frankly.

The bereavement fare quoted by virtually all of the airlines was ridiculous: more than $800 per person - two of us were flying out of Chicago O'Hare, two of us were down in Florida at the time, so we were flying out of Orlando.

I finally said screw this, got online and started a regular search as though I was going to try to book a flight regularly, except of course, I was flying the next day.

I got all 4 members of my family to the wake and funeral for less than $200/person to Rochester NY, not a major hub, on less than 18 hours notice through Travelocity.

Be careful and shop around. There are deals out there with Priceline etc. whereby you can score even cheaper flights, even at the last moment.

:hug: I hope you don't have to use any of this advice!

[Catchawave]

10. Here's some info:

http://www.airtimetable.com/airfares_emergency.htm

Thoughts are with you :hug:

[Gormy Cuss]

11. United experience

These were coast to coast trips for a terminal illness. I used the emergency/breavement fare for a trip to a dying relative because I wanted the open return date. The airline offered it when I explained the circumstances. The bereavement fare the quote was about half of full fare, no restrictions/penalty for change of dates.

For the funeral when I knew the date of return and didn't need the flexibility I was able to find a cheaper fare through the airline web site.

[VeggieTart]

12. I couldn't find one.

When my grandmother died in May, I could not find a bereavement fare from any airline. They actually said they didn't offer them.

[Radio_Lady]

13. Most of them do... sorry if you have to use it, Bertha.

My ex-husband is dying of lung cancer near Burlington, Vermont. Our two children are standing by to go to a funeral -- one in Salt Lake City, the other in Portland, Oregon. It's so sad.

They've been told that you just have to call the airlines... I'm sure that proof is needed, but it's only in the circumstances of a death... not just to visit someone who is terminally ill.

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. Consult a travel agent

That's what I did when my grandmother died.

I pretty much had to fly Northwest, and their bereavement fare is 1/3 the full coach fare, which in the case of PDX-MSP was $2100 at the time. Yes, that's for coach. So the bereavement fare was $700.

When my father died, my mother somehow found a fare for me on Delta ($600), but then I ended up staying longer because of a delay in funeral arrangements, so instead of paying for another Delta ticket, I called the local AAA office, and they found a 3-day advance purchase flight on Northwest that was only $210.

[Haole Girl]

15. Please send me a pm...if you'd like...

...if you tell me the cites, dates, etc., I might be able to give you some tips.

[mwooldri]

16. Echo what someone else said about Travelocity.

Sometimes the fares available by non-bereavement means can be better than the bereavment fare. When my grandfather passed away in the UK, we got the best deal on Expedia. Funeral wasn't for a week or so, since I was flying back home solo. Ended up flying US Scareways.

Depends on how soon you need to fly. If you got any notice at all then sites like hotwire, priceline and the regular travel sites can be your friend. I know funerals round here for my wife's side of the family- you die one day and are buried the next... that means you might have to take the bereavement special.

Mark

[Haole Girl]

17. I sent you a pm

I'm going to bed now...take care...OK? :hug: :hug:

[blondeatlast]

19. They often aren't the best deal and the airlines can require

more proof than is really necessary.

I used to be a travel agent and we could often find better short purchase deals than bereavement fares with far less hassle for the passenger.

I suggest you use one of the online booking sites or especially try Southwest (they don't work through the booking sites).

I happen to fly a lot and I LOVE Southwest--no nonsense, in my humble opinion. The reservation agents on the phone are exceptionally good--and Southwest bends over backwards for it's employees; several friends work for them and love their careers! It shows in their attitudes, too.

http://www.southwest.com/cgi-bin/buildItinerary2?hps=nb

My heart goes out to you, friend. Wish I could offer you more, but I'm sending a prayer and a :hug:

[China_cat]

20. Yes, most have them.

You have to ask and some will require that on your return trip you present a copy of the death certificate. (And then never even ask to look at it) My husband got one (really deep discount even though it was at christmas time) for his mother's funeral. Not too much of a hassle about it, either.

I don't know if they might balk at it being your grandmother, but you could always say she raised you and is more a mother to you than anything else.

Good luck.

[ScreamingMeemie]

21. They "say" they do, but we've never gotten a decent last minute

bereavement fair. In fact, when my grandfather died and my brother was visiting us for Christmas, they penalized him for changing flight plans back to LA. I hope you have better luck.

[billyskank]

22. Hey MrsG!

:loveya: How's it going now you're out of plaster? :hug:

:hi:

[GalleryGod]

23. Had really lousy experience with them lastyear.

:shrug: