shelloid

Sorry if this has been covered before - I did try to do a search but couldn't find anything easily as I didn't really know what to search.

Anyway, I have had that dreaded call.....my Gran passed away this week and I will be heading back for the funeral to say my goodbyes as I couldn't see her before she went.

I am sure I read threads on here years ago about some airlines offering discounted fares if there was a death of a family member. I have had a look on the Air NZ website and it states that there is a compassionate fare for domestic travel.

Does anyone know if any airlines offer compassionate fares for international travel?

MrsFychan

Hi hun, sorry to hear that. You could ring Flight Centre and ask them or have a look at the links

https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/compassionate-fares

Bereavement Flights List - All Major Airlines

outback sunset

So sorry to hear about that. We were upgraded on the trip home when my mum passed away. It was a good few years ago though and I don't know how they found out, just from me ringing to book the flights I think. I suspect there is some sympathy around this so I would follow Mrs F's link to the major airlines.

moneypenny20

Not sure any of the airlines do this any more, not when we needed to get back in 2013 (from Aus) anyway. We ended up going with Cathay Pacific because it was the lowest price but not a special price. They were totally uninterested about the reason for flying. Sympathies anyway.

escapedtonz

Sorry to hear your bad news.

Many of the airlines phased these out a while, but I'm led to believe there are still some Bereavement or Compassion Fares around.
Yes Air New Zealand does have them but they are only for domestic travel.
You will need to have a look on individual airline websites or ring them directly to check their individual bereavement policies.
Not what you want to hear but you will most probably find you will not qualify as your Gran isn't an immediate family member. As far as I know it only applies for a person who has lost a parent or sibling ? Also, the discounts were only ever applied to the full fare unrestricted prices anyway meaning you wouldn't get a further discount off an already discounted or lower fare - it's the old "not to be used in conjunction with any other offer" get out clause.

scrubbedexpat094

Really sorry to hear about your Gran, Shelloid. We had a similar situation back in 2012 when OH's Mum died. Only Air NZ seemed to offer bereavement flights but they were more expensive than other airlines. We went with Etihad airlines in the end, who were fine.

Justcol

Flights are only a around $2000 return anyway at the moment

BEVS

Which if you don't happen to have that is quite a lot of money.

I flew with Emirates back in 2009. There was no discount for the flight , however they put me where there are just two seats together & blocked off the seat next to me to ensure my privacy. They also whisked me through luggage check in and the like so I didn't have to be in a crowd of people. Good PR really.
I did have to provide a copy of the death cert for the return journey.

Very sorry for your sad news shelloid. So very, very hard.

shelloid

thanks for your replies everyone. I have researched a bit more and it's like many have said - no international bereavement flights seem to exist anymore.

I am not sure when I'll be going as the funeral is still not booked...and won't be until the funeral directors reopens on Tuesday - so with time difference I won't find out until Weds morning. It may be on Friday and if so, it would be too late to get flights to arrive in time. If it's not Friday, Col is right....there are some fairly cheap flights at the moment (relatively speaking).

moneypenny20

I know it's different across the counties but a friend's dad died recently in Hampshire. The quickest funeral time/date was over three weeks later. Can I suggest you ask those booking it leave you enough time to get there? In the unlikely event they can get it sorted quickly there's no reason they can't postpone it a few more days so you can get there.

BEVS

Good thought. When my MIL passed away in Feb it was a good 3 weeks before the funeral.

I would still obtain a copy of the death cert and ask to be sat by yourself. It will be a bonus, honestly.

shelloid

thanks for the posts everyone. I found out yesterday that the funeral is next Weds. Also managed to book flights - not that money is the be-all and end-all in this situation but pretty pleased that I managed to get in on the last day of a BA sale - $1800 return, which I thought was awesome.

Mostly I'm just pleased that I can get there in time to say goodbye to my Gran and provide support to my mum.