Airline Medical Emergency Fares?

[Small Town Princess]

I just posted this on Budget board and someone suggested I post here too.

Does anyone know what the restrictions are for airline's Medical Emergency Fares? I have to take my 5 year old to National Jewish Children's Hospital in Denver, CO from March 11 until approx. March 27. Airfare during this time is rediculous because of Spring Break I have tried to contact the airlines but none of them can get us a lower rate. United did say something about a Medical Emergency Fare if we were within one week of leaving. It sounded like you would be able to change the return flight if needed (no fee), which would be great because we are not sure of his exact release date. I just don't want to wait until the last minute though and then not be able to find a flight.

Are there any other programs availble for Chidlren's medical issues (hotels, food, transportation)? We have used all of our reserve and the bills are mounting. We are hoping to get into the Ronald McDonald House but you can't call for availablility until the day you arrive.

I know there are parents out there who have been through similar experiences before. Any advice is greatly appreciated

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Unfortunately I can't remember the details, but on a recent Northwest flight I was bored and reading their magazine (I was flying from Amsterdam to the US so it was a long flight) and I remember seeing something about their having some sort of fund to help parents of kids with disabilities and/or illness get to places that can give adequate medical treatment. Unfortunately I can't remember any more than that (so I don't remember the name of the fund or anything), but it might be worth looking into.

Good luck!

 

[SueM in MN]

Unfortunately I can't remember the details, but on a recent Northwest flight I was bored and reading their magazine (I was flying from Amsterdam to the US so it was a long flight) and I remember seeing something about their having some sort of fund to help parents of kids with disabilities and/or illness get to places that can give adequate medical treatment. Unfortunately I can't remember any more than that (so I don't remember the name of the fund or anything), but it might be worth looking into.

Good luck!

Here's the information:
Northwest Airlines Kidcares

Here's another organization that some or the airlines provide assistance to called Air Charity Network (it used to be called AngelFlight)
and another similar one called Miracle Flights

Since your child is going to be a patient at National Jewish Children's Hospital, you can also try contacting a Social Worker at the hospital to see what assistance they know about.

 

[CanadianGuy]

NJCH actually has a webpage with information and it appears they do offer some help in this regard..

http://www.nationaljewish.org/about/travel/travel-arrangements.aspx

 

[Small Town Princess]

I did try and contact the travel agency NJCH recommends on their website, but they quoted a price that was the same as the airline itself, and they also wanted to charge a service fee on top of that.

I have contacted a few of the lower price hotels they have listed and have found one that I am reserving for a back up in case we can't get into Ronald McDonald House.

Thank you for all of the great information. It is very much appreciated.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

No advice, I'm afraid, just a big load of hugs and good wishes for you and your family

 

[SueM in MN]

I did try and contact the travel agency NJCH recommends on their website, but they quoted a price that was the same as the airline itself, and they also wanted to charge a service fee on top of that.

I would suggest contacting NJCH Social Work department and let them know this. The Social Work Department may have some options that are not on the website.
I also am not sure, but there may be some other 'hoops' that you need to 'jump thru' with NJCH before you can get a discounted rate from that website.

 

[scottsod]

we used miracle flights for 2 trips to st louis for a surery for my son about 6 years ago they were great got us all tix on sw and midwest
give them a try http://www.miracleflights.org/stories/story.php?story_id=197

good luck scott

 

[LauraVV]

We went to National Jewish with my daughter when she was 5. I wasn't terribly impressed with them since they didn't address the issues that concerned us. She desats with activity.

Anyway, we stayed at Ronald McDonald's in Denver. It's really nice there. At NJ they had a program to get a discount on car rentals. There are lots of places that will give free flights too. There's Angel Flight, Miracle Flights, etc.

http://www.airlifeline.org/a1/servlet/visit
http://www.angelflight.com/
www.miracleflights.org
American Airlines Miles for kids in need: P.O. box 619688 Dallas, Tx.
75261 # 817-963-8118 contact person is Debbie Ryan
Continental Airlines/Medical Necessity Program # 1-800-468-7022
Care Force Contact person Bob Jack p.o. box 3816 Humble, In. 77347
#281-261-6626
www.corpangelnetwork.org
Mercy Medical Airlift # 1-800-296-1217
National Patient Travel Helpline www.patienttravel.org 1-800-296-1217
Southwest Airline Travel Prpgram Contact Tracie Martin 214-904-4103
The Air Care Alliance Contact person is Doug Vincent # 918-745-0384
Wings of Freedom # 407-363-1991
Air Life Line # 877-247-5433 www.airlifeline.org