Comments on: Are bereavement fares reserved for frequent fliers only?

By: Johnny Triumph

Johnny Triumph — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:32:18 +0000

Just called the Delta refunds dept since we had purchased tickets to see our sick mother-in-law but now need to move up departure several weeks due to impending passing. Luckily for us we held existing tickets. I explained the situation to the refunds dept and was asking more about refund options and that we’d probably just load up and drive SLC – Houston. She got someone else on the line and added a note to our confirmed travel that we can, space available, travel any time on our current paid fare and that they’d waive the change fees. So now we’re set. It wasn’t easy, but if it were then people would try to rip off the airlines just to avoid a fee or get a cheaper seat.

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:26:20 +0000

I would like to know exactly where these bereavement fares are. Just booked a last minute trip due to a death in the family and was politely told by the Delta agent, “we no long offer bereavement fares”. In the past they verified with the Funeral Home, so I doubt it was passenger fraud that changed the program more likely corporate greed.

Thanks Delta, $25 for a checked bag, charge for a meal on the plane, charge me for a headset to watch a movie, and now no bereavement fares. Start looking at executive compensation for your next profit increase.

By: Mr Bad Example

Mr Bad Example — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:50:10 +0000

Some airlines do not offer bereavement fares due to the fraud by customers. I heard with my very own ears a customer in front of me say to her friend, “Just tell them a relative died and you need to fly right away they’ll charge you less.”

Customers sadly have brought the lack of bereavement fares upon themselves.

By: Don

Don — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:42:48 +0000

My Grandfather was extremely ill and had only a very short time before he past away. We called Northwest Airlines and no we are not frequent flier members and were able to book an open ended ticket at a bereeavement fare $500 leaving immediately for my mom to fly from minneapolis to Auburn New York so that she could be there with her family and spend my grandfathers last days with him. She was able to be there for the last week of his life and stayed several weeks after to help take care of things for my grandmother! So there is proof that you do not have to be an elite member to recieve the bereavement fare just have to contact the airline directly and give them the required information.

By: Carver

Carver — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:20:56 +0000

I agree with SirWired and Lianne about the tracking purpose, particularly since the airline is not limiting this benefit to elite members of the programs.

I do disagree though about whether she should have known to call about the fares. I figure that 1) bereavement fares aren’t usually listed on the website and 2)during such a sad time, people are not always in the best, most critical state of mind, leeway is the best policy.

By: Lianne

Lianne — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:00:58 +0000

I agree with SirWired. I think this is simply the easiest way for the airline to make sure that bereavement fares aren’t becing abused.

Now had Ms Ball mentioned to the airline in advance that she needed a bereavement fare and they failed to tell her how to obtain one, that’s another ball of wax entirely, but as the facts are presented this seems like it was a more than fair outcome. (I too cannot believe I just sided with an airline!)

By: Teresa Stewart

Teresa Stewart — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:02:23 +0000

Honestly, I don’t have any issues with Northwest requiring you to have a WorldPerks number – it takes two minutes on their website to sign up, big deal. I think Northwest went WAY above and beyond with Ms. Ball by giving her a travel credit because she purchased a ticket using one method, and found out later another method would have been cheaper. I’m sure had Ms. Ball called Northwest in the first place and asked for a bereavement fare, the Northwest agent would have signed her up for a WorldPerks number…she just didn’t think of that option, and that is in no way Northwest’s fault. (And oh my goodness, I can’t believe I just defended an airline!)

On the subject of bereavement fares, the rules vary widely from airline to airline. Some airlines give a discount off of their full, unrestricted coach fare, some airlines give a discount off some other random fare, and some airlines don’t even offer them anymore. If you’re in a situation where a bereavement or emergency fare applies, it pays to call each airline that serves the route you’re flying. You may get drastically different quotes from one to another.

By: Camels & Chocolate

Camels & Chocolate — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:19:09 +0000

Actually, I’m an elite member of World Perks and was stuck in the Canadian Rockies last summer on assignment when an immediate member of my family died. I had to book a one-way from Calgary to Nashville the next day, which was by no means cheap. I called every airline I’m a frequent flier on (NW, Delta, AA, Continental), and the BEST rate they could give me was $1400…ONE WAY! Funny enough, that was the same rate I was finding on CheapTickets, so I hardly think that was a special “bereavement fare.” The same thing happened to me two years ago when I was living in NYC and had to get back to TN within three days’ time. In the end, it was far cheaper to rent a car and drive the 14 hours back.

By: SirWired

SirWired — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:30:17 +0000

My personal suspicion is that they would like you to be a member so they can track your usage of the fares, not because they want to favor frequent clients.

SirWired