The Best in Bereavement

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Q. I would like to either pay or use miles/points for a flight to see a relative who is terminally ill.

However, if she passes away before my flight leaves, I would prefer to cancel my flight arrangements.

Would all of the airlines allow me to cancel my flight and apply the cost or miles/points to another trip on the same airline, but to another city within a certain amount of time?

A. Many times, the fee deducted for changing/canceling your ticket is so high, it leaves you with barely anything left to apply towards another flight. For a quick look at which airlines are charging what for ticket changes, visit our fee chart. As you can see, Southwest charges nothing for these changes, and will issue a credit for the amount of your original flight, good for one year. Bought it in miles? No prob. Southwest will re-bank those miles right back into your account. If only other airlines were as hassle free, give or take a few dress code crackdowns.

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I recently had two relatives die ten days apart. Both were unexpected. I had to get from one end of the country and back twice and get my kids there as well. I called several airlines to find that their bereavement fares were laughable. Even with it being refundable (which I didn't need) and no change fees (again, didn't need) they were not affordable for three people. So, I hopped on Priceline.com and was able to get tickets for all three of us leaving the next morning, round trip for less than the cost of one bereavement ticket. I always use Priceline when I am not restricted by travel times.

by HappyAirForceWife on Tuesday, March 03, 2009

NWA allows for a "medical emergency" fare if you have a relative in the hospital. It's more expensive than a 2 week advance, stay a Saturday, blah..blah...blah fare but it's fully refundable, changeable and it's a lot less than the full fare, last minute price.

You have to book it over the phone but they waived the phone fee last time I needed it (just last month.)

by zzzzz78759 on Tuesday, March 03, 2009

I had found that Delta was reasonable on the short term use of FF miles in the past. Now, they stick it to you if you make arrangements within 21 days of the flight. I have found SW to be the cheapest on short notice and are hassle-free if you have to bank the miles back or need to change to different dates. Believe it or not, bidding on Priceline on short notice flights saves me about 70%+.

by Braniff Lives on Tuesday, March 03, 2009

I called AA last November, and after having to explain my whole personal situation to the agent who wouldn't tell me anything about that possibility until I made de direct question about bereavement tickets, she finally told me the prices and rules of the ticket. I needed it for the next day, intl trip from DC to Brazil, and unfortunatelly to get the flexibility (changes/cancellation) of that ticket, I would have to pay about 80% more than another ticket I saw on travelocity with UA - that's a difference of about $600! Gave up on the flexibility, and decided to leave to buy the ticket at the last minute, when airlines are doing everything to sell the seats available...

by kriskrispies on Tuesday, March 03, 2009

My grandfather just passed away and I thought that I had purchased a bereavement ticket (over the phone purchase) but when I got to the airport and needed to make a change, I had to pay the extra fee because my ticket did not say bereavement on it. Be careful and be certain that the right words are printed on your ticket

by dr.brown on Tuesday, March 03, 2009

When I learned that my father was very ill I checked for one way fares and was able to get two from LaGuardia to Kansas City on Delta for $285 including taxes, for the very next day. As he improved I checked Kayak and was able to take AirTran back the following week on one ways. Maybe we were just lucky. And we were not subject to intense security screening as we had been in the past on one way flights. Yes, the plane was hot before the engines started to save fuel, but we could turn the overhead fan button to keep it moving. Delta and AirTran still serve free beverages!
Amy

by on Friday, September 05, 2008

Last Spring my father was in hospice with his condition changing daily. AA allowed me to book at a "bereavement" ticket that was 100% fully refundable and changeable as part of that service. Don't know if that's their policy or a sympathetic agent, but you can ask.

by on Friday, September 05, 2008

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