invictia

Hi Guys,
Just done a search but found nothing of interest, does anyone have any links to getting a emergency flight back to UK, I've had THAT phone call, and even though I dont think I will make it in time, I need to leave Saturday morning.

Any suggestions, I just cant leave right now as I have my sons 21st birthday on Friday..........and well, hes my son and its a special birthday.

Sal x

The Bloke

Contact the airlines direct, explain the situation, and they will help you if they could. If they can, they can bump someone of the flight and slot you into their spot. My OH did this and Qantas was most helpful, arranging to get her on the first available flight the next day.
If the situation is that bad, surely your son will understand and postpone the party until you return.

Damson

Hi. Sorry but I can't help you as I've never been in your position. Someone did post this on Britvics.org (a Victorian website, but I'm sure they would be able to help if need be. Here is what the poster wrote. If you like, I could PM her or you could join Britvics and do it yourself?


There seems to be so many people going through the trauma of a loved one in the UK falling
ill or dying on Britvics at the moment and raising issues with getting flights home at
short notice, I thought that I might be able to lend some advice after 15 years in the
travel industry both here and in the UK.

I hope this will not be construed as biased, being a travel agent, but my first piece of
advice would be, for God's sake, your first move should be to call a travel agent. The
last thing you want to have to do under these circumstances is to have to spend hours on the
internet trying to find flight availability. You may pay for their time (the agency I
work for charge a booking fee of $55 for a flight only booking, this is due to the
airlines paying next to no commission on flight bookings these days), but as you have paid
them for their time, they will spend the time to find you a flight and they know the tricks
and know the people to get in touch with to try to free up availability if there are problems. I
have seen the posts about a letter from the Dr helping to get them on flights at short
notice. This should only be necessary when there are no seats and again, let a travel
agent deal with all that crap for you (i.e. getting this letter to the right person,
dealing with the admin, etc.).

If that dreaded call comes in the middle of the night, there are a couple of options. Of
course there are websites like Expedia and Zuji where you can search availability and book
online. Another thought is to call an agent in the UK. You cannot buy a discounted ticket
that begins in another country, but the Australian market works mostly on "published" fares
(non discounted, available to all agents, the variations in price are literally down toagents that are prepared to cut the commission they earn to beat another price)so other than the foibles of the currency exchange rates at the time, you should notoverpay for this.

If I can help anyone caught in this situation, you only have to PM me (and please don't
think this is revenue producing for me; I lived with this fear for 15 years as an Aussie
living in the UK with ageing parents and I would never take advantage of anyone in this
situation. I am more likely to have a cry with you on the phone!). I won't put my work
details on this post, but if you would like them (just in case), please PM me.

As has been said, an approach direct to the airlines may work well, I'm just not sure.

Good luck and take care
Lorraine

bcworld

There is plenty of last minute availability on Emirates for < $1900 return - not an amazing fare these days, but not bad either.

If you need to alter the return date I've always found Emirates very accomodating...even if a change fee has been listed they've never actually charged me. In your case any change fees would almost certainly be waived due to the circumstances - the fare rules state this.

You shouldn't expect the airlines to offer you the best price on a compassionate fare, they will offer you the best flexibility but often a cheaper alternative is available.

All the best, B.

quoll

Oh so sorry, we all dread that one. Try a direct approach first off and see if you can get something and if that fails then go for the travel agent - I am sure your son would understand if you got something sooner than Saturday. All the best!

Damson

Hi, I've just found these on Britvics which may be of interest


I would highly recommend Emirates. When Becky and I flew back urgently in April they upgraded us to Business and First for 2 of the 3 legs, and couldn't stop apologising for not having an upgrade on the middle leg. We were escorted to and from each flight and really well taken care of.

and

All airlines do compassionate rates but you have to get someone to fax the death certificate or a doctor's letter to prove it. When my dad was seriously ill my sister got about 50% reduction on the airfare and we had to fax a doctor's letter to the airline. Then again when he died.

harrip

I"m sorry you've had bad news. I would strongly recommend going to a travel agent, tell them your requirements and let them seek out an available flight.

I took this route when I had 'the call' and it just takes a lot of unnecessary worry off your hands. Cheapest deal? Maybe not, but any travel agent worth their salt, will do their best to help you. My local Flight Centre was great.

Pollyana

Personal experience? I phoned Qantas, told them the situation, they had me on a plane within 24 hours, and it would've been quicker had I wanted. Close friend of mine had to do the same trip, he rang Qantas direct at 3am and was on a flight out of Hobart at 8am the same morning.

Be prepared for the cost to be higher though.

Dorothy

Sorry, but I have to disagree with this. I was told by my travel agent and QANTAS, American Airlines, Delta, Air Canada and JAL that there is no 'compassionate' rate. If you can point me in the direction of where I would get a rebate on my full fare ticket from QANTAS/AA then I would be more than willing to rethink what I've been told.
QANTAS did however treat me very well when I went back to Canada when my father was dying.

Jan4kids

Go and go quickly...you can never have that time back once someone is gone....forget the party. Just book the flight whatever the cost...worry about it later, but at least have no regrets for the rest of your lifetime.

Maybe a tad dramatic..... My Mum said 'don't worry', 'what can you do', 'save your money' but it felt wrong so I did all I could to work around our 4 kids, 2 jobs, flights priced for Christmas and having no money to get there and still my Mum died whilst I was flying to her...

Please go as soon as possible and my very Best Wishes to you.....

Kath & Graham

My Mum died while I was flying to her too That "phone call" is terrible!! I flew with Emirates but had a nightmare as we were delayed 10 hours in Dubia due to some other horrible circumstance in Dubai (wont go into that one) and missed saying goodbye

Damson

Hi, as I said I copied the text across from another forum and I also said I have no knowledge, but that it might be worth investigating. It is good to know that Qantas treated you so well, the last thing you need is stress at a time like that. One thing that I have always picked up though from the various threads though is that all of the cabin crews do seem to treat passengers with compassion once they know the circumstances. I do of course offer sympathy to yourself for your loss and to anyone else who has been in your situation.
Regards
Lorraine

Kath & Graham

I as also told there were no compassionate seats either with Quantas or Emirates altho Emirates was the only one I eventually got flight with after begging and crying..

Kath

BAY

Have to agree , forget the party , even with it being his 21st ! How can you even consider it ? and how would you be able to enjoy the party ? There'll always be another party for your son but there may not be another chance to say goodbye.

noggin

Well if yr not gonna make it why go? stay and enjoy the party...FFS MAN GET ON THE PLANE!:curse: