Bereavment flights?

[Muffy]

Is there such a think as bereavment (sp) flights? My reason for asking is because a coworker just found out that her mother has only a few weeks to live. She is planning to fly home ASAP and I am wondering if the airlines give a person a price break for such circumstances? She did call Delta and was told their bereavemnt rate is much higher than a reg rate because it allows the person to return home at ANY time. In my coworkers case she was quoted 1200 for 1 R/T ticket with Delta's bereavment rate. She could purchase a R/T tix on the internet for around 400 so that was a lousy rate to say the least! She is flying out of Providence, RI into Tampa. Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[goofy4tink]

When my mom died 2 months ago, my db and his family flew from Seattle to Boston. My sil is a travel agent so you would think that they could have gotten decent fares. THis was not the case. The bereavment fares weren't discounted all that much. Maybe 10%. I guess they were really surprised at this. So I wouldn't count on any steep rate cuts.

 

[LadyDi48]

Yes there are bereavement fares. It probably varies by airline. And their policies probably are all different. We just went through that. My husband flew out on a moment's notice to visit sick Father in hospital. I had to change his flight twice and paid extra fees to do that. But, if we had asked for a bereavement fare then you can make changes without paying a penalty. At least that was the impression I was under. I think you end up paying full fare in order to have the flexibility of changing flights last minute.

Ask each airline for their policy in this regard.

Diana

 

[safetymom]

Bereavements fares are usually not a bargain. Sometimes you are better off buying two discounted tickets than one. This is also a great time to use your frequent flyer miles.

 

[denisenh]

I had to fly ASAP from New England to Corpus Christi Texas a few years ago due to a death in the family. There was really no deals to be had.
SWA from what I understand does not offer bereavement fares, but it ended up that their regular fare was less than the bereavement fare on any other airline.....$600. Per person round trip out of Providence. That's what we went with.
Maybe your coworker knows someone with frequent flyer miles or SWA award that could help her out?

 

[denisenh]

Looks like your friend can go to be with her mom today on a SWA nonstop one way flight from PVD to TPA for $157. or so.
She can book her return when she is ready to.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Muffy
Is there such a think as bereavment (sp) flights? My reason for asking is because a coworker just found out that her mother has only a few weeks to live. She is planning to fly home ASAP and I am wondering if the airlines give a person a price break for such circumstances? She did call Delta and was told their bereavemnt rate is much higher than a reg rate because it allows the person to return home at ANY time. In my coworkers case she was quoted 1200 for 1 R/T ticket with Delta's bereavment rate. She could purchase a R/T tix on the internet for around 400 so that was a lousy rate to say the least! She is flying out of Providence, RI into Tampa. Thanks in advance for any info.

Muffy, she can book one way with SWA for 149. plus taxes. She can then book her return when she feels the need to return.

 

[Jestocost]

The problem with bereavment fares is that they only offer a toekn discount off of the full fare, which is exorbitant in most cases. Much of the time, as has been pointed out previously, you can get a better discount fare; especially if your city has service from a carrier like Southwest, Jet Blue, etc. If you don't have those options, a bereavment fare is better than you can do with little or no advance purchase time, but they're never really a low fare. In addition, the airlines can make them a hassle by requiring you to provide various kinds of proof to support your eligibility for the fare.

 

[Muffy]

Thanks everyone for the prompt replies. She is going to book a oneway ticket from SW. It is definatly the best deal for her. I appreciate all the info and help.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Muffy
Thanks everyone for the prompt replies. She is going to book a oneway ticket from SW. It is definatly the best deal for her. I appreciate all the info and help.

Muffy,
Tell her I will be keeping her in my prayers.

 

[Muffy]

Thanks Gail.

 

[alexturner74]

FYI...In most cases, a typical bereavement fare is about 50% percent off of a full fare (refundable) ticket. You may be able to find cheaper tickets by booking online, etc., however you won't have the flexibility that a refundable ticket gives you (if that's important to you).

 

[clori]

When my mil died completely unexpectedly in 2001 we did not have any time to research airfare. We got the call at 1 in the morning and took an 8am flight out - lets just say we were not in the right state of mind to do any price comparisons. I called delta at 3am and was given the price of a regular flight and bereavement flight which was 50% off. I had to supply the name of the hospital or the funeral home for confirmation. I told them I was unable to do that at that moment (NYC has several hospitals). They said I had about a week to let them know the info. The return tickets were open ended but this was the norm on the shuttle we took anyway. Dh and I didn't fly back together so that didn't matter either. When we got to the airport I was told that we were automatically put in for the bereavement price - it was that obvious looking at dh. I did call in the info later in the week just to make sure since ticket prices were so high even at half price. I did have one problem. When I called I told them I didn't know if my 12 month old was coming with me and they put her down as a lap child. Once I called my brother who lives nearby He came and got dd and kept her for two days. I wasn't questioned going on the flight but on the return flight I was questioned as to why I didn't have my lap child with me.

 

[CarolA]

The airlines are not as generous as they used to be on Breavement and I think it is pretty rare that you get the 50% anymore which is a shame, but....