Mom ill in Florida Need flight

[Tink9295]

My mom is in an Progressive Care Unit (similar to an ICU unit) in Florida. Do any of you know which airlines give discounted rates for emergency travel at short notice. I believe AA does and maybe Delta. Any others?
May have to make a fast trip. Any imput will help. Thanks.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm not sure any of them are particularly cheap. When my mom died, my brother and his family had to get here (Boston) from Seattle. My sister-in-law is a travel agent, working between the military and private sector, and she couldn't find a decent airfare. The airlines base their 'compassionate' fares on the full price fares. So you may be much better off just booking a regular non-refundable fare on whatever airline is the least expensive!!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I'm not sure any of them are particularly cheap. When my mom died, my brother and his family had to get here (Boston) from Seattle. My sister-in-law is a travel agent, working between the military and private sector, and she couldn't find a decent airfare. The airlines base their 'compassionate' fares on the full price fares. So you may be much better off just booking a regular non-refundable fare on whatever airline is the least expensive!!

Good advice.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I agree. Bereavement fares are usually not a bargain and you need to provide documentation to the airline. It's usually cheaper to just search for a regular discounted fare. Good luck.

 

[backyardponder]

I just looked at Southwest's web site. Last minute fares are really expensive...from Hartford to Orlando it's about $750 round trip.

You might want to try www.kayak.com. They do searches on most airlines, including American which has pulled out of other search engines.

Do you have any mileage points you can use? Do you have any friends or relatives who have any you can use?

Best of luck with your situation. It is a tough one.

 

[SteveMouse]

Look at expedia. For some reason, flights today/tomorrow are under $200 one way.


Here's to some pixie dust!

 

[NotUrsula]

This is the sort of thing that Priceline is a good option for, presuming that it doesn't matter to you what time you get there as long as you can leave ASAP. The flights might leave at dawn or have long layovers, but they will get you there within 24 hours of when you leave, barring weather delays. (If there is some particular occasion that you must get to at a certain time of day, then travelling the previous calendar day is an absolute must if you use PL.)

Also, Hotwire can be good for this situation as well. I just checked there for tomorrow, and they could get you to Tampa one-way from LaGuardia for $113, or from Hartford for $145. (A one-way ticket might be best if you do not know how long you will need to stay.)

I'd suggest lurking out on biddingfortravel.com to learn some good bidding strategies. (I wouldn't suggest posting there, however. It can be a difficult board.)

PS: Do understand that bid passengers do not get certain slack that those who pay the airline directly may get. For instance, there is no "flat tire" rule if you miss the flight due to your own fault; the airline generally won't put you on a different flight unless you pay for a new ticket. (If you miss a flight because of something that is the airline's fault or due to weather, then you are still treated like anyone else would be.)

 

[Tink9295]

Thanks for the imput. Good advice and I should start looking now just in case..... Thanks.

 

[sullins5]

Thanks for the imput. Good advice and I should start looking now just in case..... Thanks.

Don't suppose you're a student? Most ppl don't know that Airtran has a program for students. It was about $69 each leg last time my son used it. Just a thought!

 

[Tink9295]

Don't suppose you're a student? Most ppl don't know that Airtran has a program for students. It was about $69 each leg last time my son used it. Just a thought!

No, I'm not a student. But if my DS has to go it might work for him Thanks.