| | All About Bereavement Airfares Fares
All
about Bereavement Fares
If you are ever in a situation where
you need to travel last-minute due to a death or serious illness in the
family, you should be aware that most airlines offer discounts and
open-ended tickets to those traveling to be with family. In most cases,
these "bereavement" fares are available only for death, serious illness,
hospitalization, or imminent death, and are only for immediate family
members. (This would include grandparents, but not aunts, uncles, cousins
or close friends.) Discounts vary by airline, as well as by market and
seat availability, up to 70% off; but you'll find most airlines
average about 50% off the lowest unrestricted
fare.
What You Will Need
to Provide
In addition to the your travel information (city
pairs, dates, et cetera) you will need to provide the airline with the
following information if you are flying on a bereavement
fare:
Death in the family:
The full name of the
deceased
Your specific relationship to the deceased
Name, phone
number and contact for the funeral home
In some cases, a death
certificate
Illness in the family:
The full name of the
ill relative
Your specific relationship to the relative
The name,
address, and phone number of the hospital or hospice program
The name
of the attending physician
Other Options
Instead of offering a bereavement fare,
some airlines will waive the advance-purchase requirement. Rather than
paying the full fare, customers pay only the lower 14- or 21-day
advance-purchase fare. United offers a seven-day advance fare, which can
save about 15 percent.
Some airlines' bereavement fares allow for
an "open-jaw return," meaning that you do not have to indicate your return
flight in advance. Instead, you can come back when you want, at no
additional cost.
Restrictions &
Caveats
Ask the airline about restrictions that apply to these bereavement fares before you
book them. Some airlines place time restrictions on this type of travel
(for example: you may find they are only available within 24 hours of
death). In addition, may airlines will not offer bereavement discounts in
international flights, some will require a death certificate in addition
funeral home information, others will require you to let them know a few
days in advance of your travel.
As we mentioned above, a
bereavement fare may not be your best bet in many cases; whenever you can,
shop around. But keep in mind that if you do find a cheaper last-minute
fare, it's probable that it will not be open-ended or changeable without a
substantial fee; if you think your travel plans may change, you may find
that having flexibility on your return date is invaluable.
Dealing
with travel plans in the face of the death or illness of a loved one is
incredibly difficult, and understandably many people in their haste do not
think to ask for a bereavement or compassion fare. Many airlines will
refund the difference of your ticket if you write to them and provide the
appropriate details and paperwork, even after you have returned
home.
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