Caligirl4ever

Has anyone had any experience with Bereavement Fares?

My husband's father was admitted into hospital a few days ago and is not responding due to a stroke! We are trying to get prepared for an emergency flight to the UK and I just wondering if anyone has any advice about this situation?

Thank you kindly,
Hugs...Cali

Bob

sorry to hear about your husbands father

As for fares, there was a thread about it a few weeks back that had a fair bit of info, cindyabs, woodsy and co all had some good info....

bored-silly

Ring BA (or who ever you fly with) they will search and find the lowest available fare. You need to either produce a Dr's letter or in the worst case scenario, a copy of a death certificate on your return to the US. They will ask you for the name of the patient when you book the flight.
Good luck.

Caligirl4ever

Thank you Bob and Bored Silly for your advice. I'll call and do a search relating to this subject!

Hugs,
Cali

Chorlton

Wow, I'd never heard of this. What relationship do you have to be to the patient?

Bob

depends on the airline, but usually have to be close relations.

Caligirl4ever

Thanks for asking, he is my father-n-law.

RoadWarriorFromLP

I have limited experience with these, but from what I have seen, bereavement fares are generally not that appealing. For one, the concession is typically based upon the cost a full-fare ticket, which is a price well above what you often need to pay for other classes of ticket, even at the last minute. For another, you often do not qualify for the fare unless your family member has passed away, which isn't obviously helpful if you wish to visit someone who is ill.

In addition to the online ticket brokers (Priceline, Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity), you should check the ads at the back of the Sunday travel sections of the Los Angeles Times or SF Chronicle for any fare deals available from consolidators (what you would call a bucket shop.) CheapTickets might also be worth contacting -- if you are in LA, it has an office near LAX.

If you have a student ID for a local college or university, you can also qualify for student fares, which don't tend to vary based upon departure date, and have low fees for date changes. You would need to book through a student agency such as STA, and also obtain an ISIC card, again from a student agency (about $25). Student fares are also often not age-restricted.

Best of luck to you.

NC Penguin

Look at this thread I started on this very subject, about a year ago.

I got a bereavement fare based on being daughter-in-law of the patient...



NC Penguin

Manc

When my mum died in May, The airlines couldn't give a toss about my situation and I basically paid full fare to go on short notice.

I called BMI, BA, Northwest, Continental, US Airways.

Continental were the best, offered most sympathy and tried to help me out the most as the ticketing agent had a relative with the same disease, but their flights were all booked solid.

BMI was $997
USAir was $977
Northwest was $1277

BA never even got back to me, and I have vowed never to fly them again because of it.

I flew US Airways and they were garbage, but at least did get me there on time.

Yorkieabroad

Sorry to hear your news - bad situations at home are always magnified by the distance.

I had similar situation to Mancs with Singapore Airlines going home from Singapore when my dad died suddenly, late one saturday night. Going rate at the time was about S$1000, but when I went to the airport on the Sunday morning the cheapest they would do was almost S$4000, with the rather helpful comment that I should plan and book in advance through a travel agent. I'm not a violent guy, but I was a bit "unstable" and my wife had to restrain me from decking the tw@t. Anyway, I paid, and went, then when I got back, wrote a very polite letter to the customer relations dept. In return I got a very nice apology, and a full refund.

Anyway, I'd suggest calling the airlines direct and seeing what they can do. All the best

bored-silly

On the flip side, BA were great for me when booking the flight but crap on board.

Duncan Roberts

My grandpa died last week and I was looking into these fares. Seems all they really do is waive the 7 day advanced purchase requirement but no discount on the actual fare. Unfortunate to say, I will be staying here for the funeral.

Caligirl4ever

OH I'm so sorry Duncan that you couldn't be with your family! That so sucks!!!!!!!

Caligirl4ever

WOW ... Good for you! It's great to hear stories like these once in awhile ;-)