Is it true that Airlines will cut you a better deal if you are traveling to a funeral?

Question

My grandfather just died and I am making travel arrangements from Dallas to Denver. I heard once that airlines will give a discount for funeral travel. Is this true....or just a myth.

Answer 1

Yes they do offer you a better deal .But you do have to present a copy of the death certificate as proof. You can't just say that your relative died and you must fly there instantly.  

Answer 2

Years ago they did, but no more.

Answer 3

No they wont. My brother went from Texas to California when our other brother was murdered and he had to pay full price. The only thing that got him a discount was his military status.

Answer 4

Some do some don't call the airlines and give it a try.........

Answer 5

Yep, some do, but the "bereavement" discount applies to last-minute fare classes, and even with that discount, is often not much if any cheaper than the normal last-minute fare.  It is, however, usually more flexible--meaning the return date can often be changed for free or a lower fee.

Don't overpay!  Run your itinerary through http://www.bookingbuddy.com which will search Hotwire, airlines for any last-minute offers they might have on this week, discounters like Cheaptickets, etc. etc. all in 1 go for you -- so you don't waste time hunting and calling all over the place.  Once you've narrowed it down, phone the airline to ask if their bereavement discount would be better than what you're ready to book.  I think this is your best strategy for time/effort/price.  Good luck with it, and sorry for your loss.

A quick check for you ...

American, United, and Frontier all showing a $253 (tax incl.) one-way fare with no advance purchase currently.  I checked from DFW and DAL (Love Field) to DEN and Colorado Springs.  Also checked Southwest.com for you, since they don't play with other booking sites.  They have today and tomorrow for $256 with tax, and with a connection.  United, Frontier, and American are nonstop.

Answer 6

I'm sorry to hear about your loss.

Some airlines still offer "bereavement fares" for travelers, but they are going by the wayside, though abuse of the system didn't have much to do with it. Before the airlines deregulated in the '80s, airline fares were quite expensive and air carriers offered these bereavement fares as a break to those that could prove the situation. This often meant copy of a death certificate, obituary in a paper, etc., sent to the airline.

Since deregulation, airfares are quite inexpensive and cut-rate. Domestically, I have never taken an offered bereavement fare since, because it is only small discount off the full-fare coach fare. I've always found a cheaper fare somewhere else directly through Southwest, JetBlue, or through most any domestic airline website. If traveling international bereavement, it might be worth asking a ticket agent directly. Otherwise, I'm sure you'll do better looking on the web.

Answer 7

Like some others here said, some will some won't, it is best to shop around and call the airline to see how much of a better fare you can get (if any).

I am sorry for your loss, I know times like these are trying, especially when you are trying to book a flight.  I just had to do this a few months ago for an uncle who suddenly passed.  I was traveling from WI to PA.  I searched all airlines and called AA and they cut the fare down considerably.  I payed 280 for a round trip on a bereavement fare, and online the tickets were being quoted at 600.  Good luck, and have a safe trip.

Answer 8

Sorry, James, this is a myth.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 9

You've been watching too much Seinfeld.

They used to, but so many people abused the system that they stopped doing it.

Answer 10

SOME airlines do offfer a "berevement fare" but it's often more than other fares you can find. And the way it generally works (if offered at all) is that you pay up front, the full unrestricted coach fare, and file after the fact asking for a portion of the money back.

Here's an idea. If anyone in the family is an elite level frequent flier on any airline serving those locations, have that person call their special service desk. That may not do the trick, but the top-level frequent fliers are the people airlines treat best.