Bereavement Flights

[Darcy03231]

Does anyone know if all airlines offer them or only certain ones? DFIL died last night after a long illness and we need to fly three of us from NH to TN. I went on-line and it would be about $1500 (we normally can fly for about half of that). Someone I work with said call about bereavement flights but I've never heard of it.

 

[diznygirl]

When I checked them out years ago when my grandmother died I found that a bereavement fare was a discount off the full fare - the highest priced ticket out there. It was less expensive to buy a cheap fare ticket from cheaptickets.com, or southwest.

Sorry about your loss.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I would just start calling the airlines and get a real human on the phone. Airlines used to offer these type of discounts until people started abusing the system. Offer to send proof (announcement, lobby card, etc.)

I'm sorry for your loss and I hope you find a reasonable flight.

 

[countingthedays]

I'm sorry for your loss.

I just booked a bereavement fare with United last week at about 55% of the online fare, but had to call into customer service to get the information.

I would think most airlines would offer such a discount. If others are like United, you'll have to call in to the CS department, as they will ask you questions like the name of the deceased, the funeral home name and phone number and the name of the funteral director.

 

[Sthronds]

I know that US air doesn't do them anymore. We always have the best luck with United. A travel agent should be able to help you too.

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[2bemarried]

DFil passed away last April. I was able to call Northwest directly and purchase a bereavement fair for my husband and I used my mileage to get a reduced fare.

Be prepared to give them specifics. Northwest wanted the name, funeral home name, date of memorial service and they called to confirm.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Dw and I looked into this a while back when her mother died. A lot of airlines, because of abuse, will sell you a regular fare, then AFTER your return flight, you can send in proof, and they will refund you half the cost. It DOES vary from airline to airline. Some have discontinued them, as they claim that their fares are as low as the breavement fare would have been. good luck.

 

[ORMom2Four]

I had to book a last minute flight last August because of a death in the family.

After calling several airlines, I found the cheapest flights on Expedia.com

Some of the airlines gave a small bereavement discount, some gave no discount at all. The bereavement discount was came off of the full fare, inflated, last minute prices, so it hardly amounted to anything.

 

[Camicar]

A few years ago when my MIL died, I called two or three different airlines and told them what was going on and they did offer a bereavement fare. NOTE: You must be able to give them the name/number of the funeral home to get the fare. (They did check.) We got a good price.

However, on another occasion, I found a cheaper fare on Travelocity.com

On yet another occasion, the cheapest fare was still too much money, so regretfully only one of us was able to attend the funeral.

IOW: it all depends upon what's available the day you need it and what your budget is.

 

[mickeyboat]

I had to book a last minute flight last August because of a death in the family.

After calling several airlines, I found the cheapest flights on Expedia.com

Some of the airlines gave a small bereavement discount, some gave no discount at all. The bereavement discount was came off of the full fare, inflated, last minute prices, so it hardly amounted to anything.

This was my experience, too (last April). They said there really is no bereavement fare anymore, but they could offer me the lowest fare they had at the time.

Denae

 

[librarygal]

You could also try Hotwire or Priceline. You will not be able to choose your flight times however. We used Priceline when two family members were killed in a car accident and we had to leave the next morning.

 

[stormi65]

American Airlines does offer bereavement fares domestically. They have to have inventory available and only be booked within a couple of days of the needed flight. There should be a significant savings if they can secure you a flight.

You will need to have funeral home, or doctor's name, contact information. Plus they will need to know your family relationship to the deceased or injured.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Pretty much all major airlines offer them, but it's not always the best deal, as someone else mentioned. Call and talk to someone, it's probably easier to have them figure out what is cheapest for you. Sorry for your loss.

 

[TaraPA]

A family member recently tried to get a bereavement fare (sorrybut I have no idea which airline) & was told they they no longer offer a price discount however they would guarantee a seat on a flight out within 24 hours, at the lowest published fare for that day. She did still have to provide proof of info on the deceased. Sorry for your loss & good luck getting where you need to be.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm sorry for your loss.

A lot of airlines have phased out their bereavement fare programs. Call to be sure, but I wouldn't expect much in the way of savings via that route.

Priceline can be a good fallback in these situations, but the trick with them is that you will need to allot an entire day to travelling on each end of the trip because the flight times are very unpredictable, and you often end up on the very last flight on your way in and the very first flight on your way out. If you think that you will need to go with Priceline you should check with whoever is setting up the funeral arrangements to be sure that they add in an extra day before any services begin, so that you won't miss them.

 

[Darcy03231]

Thank you everyone for both your condolences and advise.

I did call all of the airlines that fly from our local airport and almost all of them no longer offer a bereavement fare. The ones that did offered a small discount off a huge price (over $1000/pp), so we ended up with Southwest at $500/pp. I can certainly understand now why some people decide not to travel for funerals. While I don't like the cost, at least we can afford to go. I feel badly for those who want to attend a funeral for an immediate family member and can't do to the overwhelming cost involved. This has been a real eye opener for us. By the time we're done with airline costs, car rental, gas, etc. its going to be a $2500 weekend! I just wish we were spending it to go to WDW.

 

[wilderness01]

Sorry for your loss.