Bereavement fares?

[WDWAurora]

Do any airlines still do this? DH's grandfather is NOT doing well, at all. We're planning to drive out at Thanksgiving, but DH's family says it is doubtful he will make it that long. We will have to rush out to make it to the funeral, and, with a baby on the way, I'm hoping to make it as budget of a trip as possible, despite having to buy last minute plane tickets. We're both going, no matter what the cost, but it would be wonderful to get some savings. We could bring any documentation necessary-we won't be flying out there unless something happens, and I'm hoping he's still doing ok at Thanksgiving, but if he's in pain...we want him to be comfortable.

Anyway, more info than you guys needed, I'm sure, but I was just curious.

(and the only reason I've ever heard of this is George on Seinfeld, so it may very well have never existed, so feel free to laugh at me!)

 

[ElizK]

I work for AA, and I'm pretty sure they still do them. They're not cheap, though! Be sure to check all available rates with all airlines that fly that route. You might find something lower than the bereavement rate.

Sorry to hear about your DH's grandfather.

 

[Tinkertude]

Southwest airlines still does it

 

[hugabearjo]

I agree with PP please check all rates you can find. I have called the airlines before and found that the internet prices were way cheaper for the same flight. I am sorry to hear you are going through this. I will pray for your family.

 

[MyDisneyTrio]

My grandpa passed away almost 4 years ago and I flew Northwest Airlines because they were cheaper than other airlines bereavement fares. I can recall calling some airlines and they did not have bereavement fares, but some did. My dad actually had airline reservations for later that week (booked before my grandpa passed away), and AirTran waived the change fee due to it being bereavement.

 

[samshane]

I am so sorry to hear this. Please be careful - my BIL got slammed with extra fees as he was on vacation when his mom suddenly died (horrible situation). They did make it back, but my sister called JetBlue and they were charged with all these extra charges. Took her awhile to get everything straightend out and get a reduced fee.

 

[gk90]

We just went through this ourselves and found that some airlines don't offer them any more (US Airways), others offer a minimal discount (Continental: 5%-10%) I think that Delta and Northwest have a better discount, and Air Canada offers 50% off their current lowest fare.
You can't book these fares online, have to talk to an agent on the phone.

 

[clh2]

Husband of a coworker needed a bereavement fare when his father passed away a couple of years ago. They found a decent fare on priceline, but where they needed to fly to/from, they couldn't get a good fare from the airlines. This may be an option too!

Another thing to really look at is the airports close to you...I hope this isn't insulting you - but check all the airports close to you (i.e. from where I live, I prefer to fly out of Milwaukee, but can fly out of Chicago O'hare, Chicago Midway or Madison.

 

[bumbershoot]

when I have looked into it, there was almost no such thing. And for those that did have them, they required full payment up front, then with a death certificate they would refund.

So if the airline requires the death certificate, you won't have that when you're traveling, and asking to buy an extra copy for the airline might...well...feel a little funny...

 

[snowgooseltd]

when I have looked into it, there was almost no such thing. And for those that did have them, they required full payment up front, then with a death certificate they would refund.

So if the airline requires the death certificate, you won't have that when you're traveling, and asking to buy an extra copy for the airline might...well...feel a little funny...

Off the original topic but still not quite....when my best friend's husband passed away several years ago (this was my first first-hand experience with making arrangements) I was appalled at all the add on fees, such as being charged for multiple death certificates. Some situations called for the certificate for filing purposes. I took the original to KINKOS and made copies. Not one situation that called for the death certificate balked at the copy and not the original. IMHO the funeral parlors take advantage of emotions and charge for unnecessary add-ons. It just happened this past week with my daughter's godfather's mother's death. Sorry to rant but I hate greed....

 

[PrincessParty]

We were stationed overseas when my sister passed away, suddenly and unexpectedly. I paid full price and then upon a letter from the funeral home I was credited the dicounted rate. I remember asking what kind of "proof" they needed. Sorry you are going through this. I would call the airlines now to get the details so you can be supportive to DH when he needs you.

 

[clori]

we used bereavement fair in May 2001. We were asked for either the name and number of the funeral home or hospital. I didn't have the info at the time I called. I was told to bring the info to the airport counter. I still didn't know anything when we got to the airport just hours later but the they took one look at dh whose mother just died and put it thru.

 

[eyor44]

MIL just passed away the beginning of this month. We called Delta and they do have Breavements Fares, but as others have said, we found a better price on line. What some do is look at all of the fares available for the day you need to travel and charge you the middle of the road (average for the day) one. For us it would have been $550 per person, yet we found $250 per person on line.

Definitely check on line before calling.

 

[Darcy03231]

I checked into it about a year and half ago when DH's dad died. Some airlines still offer them, but I found it was less expensive just to buy a last minute fare with a discount carrier (we ended up on Southwest). It was still expensive though ($500/pp roundtrip from NH to TN).

 

[librarygal]

If the funeral occurs during or near a weekend you may be able to get a good price from lastminute.com. Airfare and hotel or car may be less than air alone.

http://us.lastminute.com/

 

[mousebymarriage]

So Sorry to hear about your DH's grandfather.
Unfortunately, I know all too well that most airlines do not do this anymore. My mom passed away in March, she lived in Florida I live in New Jersey. She had been ill since early December and I would fly back and forth every two weeks or so and stay there for 2 weeks. My flights were always spur of the moment because I would get a call from my step father saying that she had taken a turn for the worse (her illness was unexpected and a rollercoaster ride), I would be on a flight the same day. The airlines never gave a discount for that even if you provide them with hospital info etc. When she passed, the airlines still wouldn't give a discount. We chose to drive to Florida because the flight would have been approx $525 per person and that was even waiting until the next day. We are a family of four and that would have been $2100 for us to fly! I know years ago that many airlines would give bereavement fares (usually a 20% discount for you and 1 companion), I know this because when I was trying to book a flight in March 2 seperate airlines told me this, one was Continental and I think the other was Delta. Now those are 2 of the biggest airlines and they still were unwilling to do anything.

 

[WDWAurora]

Thanks for the info everybody. Unfortunately, we only have one airport within 2 hours, so we'll be using the close one...maybe 20 minutes. We only need airfare. I'm going to start monitoring rates tonight just to get an idea. We also only have one airport we can fly into. I need to go ahead and buy a dress. DH had a feeling a while back and bought a suit for an amazing price (90 at Dillard). I'll try to go ahead and call a couple airlines to check on potential bereavement rates and see what they need. I'm hoping for southwest. I hate to fly. Ugh.

 

[eyor44]

Thanks for the info everybody. Unfortunately, we only have one airport within 2 hours, so we'll be using the close one...maybe 20 minutes. We only need airfare. I'm going to start monitoring rates tonight just to get an idea. We also only have one airport we can fly into. I need to go ahead and buy a dress. DH had a feeling a while back and bought a suit for an amazing price (90 at Dillard). I'll try to go ahead and call a couple airlines to check on potential bereavement rates and see what they need. I'm hoping for southwest. I hate to fly. Ugh.

you are where we were four weeks ago. You'll be okay and everything will work out.

 

[Disneylush]

We also just went though this and some of the airlines said grandchild was not a "next to kin" therefore could not keep the cheaper rate. I called a couple of travel agents to see what would get my cousin here the fastest ad cheapest according to them and then when online and booked avoiding all fees.

Good luck. It will all turn out fine

PS. To the poster about death certificates. There are a lot of places that need the official copy with the raised seal and the funeral can order them for you at a 3.00 discount per copy.

 

[wmharley]

i used it on AA 2 yrs ago. I was just asked the name of the person and the hospital (relative was dying, not dead) and was given a quote.

ticket came out to be $250, nonrefundable, BUT with changes allowed at no cost.

This was for a trip next day for a weekend. Online tickets were more.