Question about air travel when family member passes?

[momof2OH]

I am wondering if anyone could help me with this? Does anyone know if any airlines have a special rate for traveling when a family member passes away? I've never flown so I have no clue.

My best friend just found out a few hours ago that her husband died. My best friend lives in Oklahoma. He was a truck driver and was found in his cab this morning in Washington State. He died of a heart attack, would have been 37 this June. Both of their families live here in Ohio. His mother (father passed away) and I are going out there. I was just checking for her. I've known him all my life.

If anyone knows, TIA. If you could send P & PD her way I would appreciate it.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Not much info about airfares but when my dad was at his most serious point, I was on vacation. If I remember right I still had to pay the regular price for a ticket to get home and you end up getting reimbursed later, after you've shown death certificates and stuff like that.
Good luck with whatever you decide.


My condolences and prayers to your friend and to you. It's so young, isn't it? How sad.......

 

[goofy4tink]

When my mom passed away last fall, my brother paid very close to full fare from Washington state. And his wife is a travel agent and still couldn't get anything decent!!! Prayers being said for your friend.

 

[CarolA]

The airlines used to give decent breavement fares, but.... those days appear to be gone. However, call and ask you can never tell.

My best friend found it cheaper just to fly SW at full fare then Delta's breavement fare.

 

[tkd lisa]

Even when they had bereavement fares, it was just the lowest regular price (nothing really special, just not the last minute full price thing). I used frequent flier miles for my Grandmothers funeral, and had to pay a $75 fee for a "rush" issuance. You can try the Red Cross and see if they have any help to offer.

 

[Alex]

This might help
http://airtravel.about.com/cs/airtravellinks/a/bereavement.htm

 

[kadaten]

I used to work for an organization that assisted military members, and we occasionally had to help some of them get flights home for family deaths. When we called airlines or the travel agent to purchase tickets at bereavement fare rates, we had to have the name of the deceased, the name of the funeral home handling arrangements, and the phone number of the funeral home. They would put us on hold while they called to confirm the details before selling us the bereavement fare ticket. That was a few years ago, so procedures may have changed, but it may be a good idea to have that info on hand in case they ask for it.

 

[MosMom]

When my FIL passed, regular fare with that short of notice was $1200...bereavement fare was $700 (each). That was still way out of our budget. Luckily, my brother works for United and got us some discount vouchers.

I think they should set a bereavement fare at what it would cost at 21 days notice. Sure, they give a discount but when you are flying last minute...it is still insane.

 

[Duchie]

Yes they do. They are called Bereavement Fares and you have to call the airlines directly to get them. Last summer DH's father passed away. I called every airline to ask what their fare would be and the discounts they offered varied greatly. One airline only offered about a 15% discount off of the full fare price. But I found one that had the fare at about 60% off - still expensive, but not nearly as bad as it could have been. Plus it's a full-service ticket, meaning it can be changed at any time without any additional fees.

You'll have to provide the airline with some sort of proof that this was for a funeral. Ask them what you'll need to show. I think they will take something like an obituary or a copy of a death certificate.

 

[Rajah]

They sure do, but the rates might not be as good as internet fares. Better to call and find out. I know Continental does it in some locations, and American and Delta. Southwest does not.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

When my sister in law was trying to get home for my husband's funeral, the Red Cross finally was able to get her and family a flight - I really don't remember the details sorry