In the situation of loss, the stress of travel adds unnecessary hassle to an already difficult time. To remove some of this hassle, there is a need to find the airline bereavement fares. These are the reasonable fares aiming to help people see their loved ones in times of mourning. Bereavement fares could get you anywhere from 5% to 25% off a flight which might seem great at first glance. This detailed guide will help you know about the bereavement fares like what they are, how they work, and how you can qualify. Ensure to read the complete information for a better insight.
What are Airline Bereavement Fares?
Airline bereavement fares are special discounted rates offered by airlines to individuals who need to travel on short notice due to the death/serious illness of a loved one. These fares are designed to ease the financial burden of last-minute travel arrangements during difficult times.
Bereavement fares may allow for more flexible cancellation and change policies to grant travelers some peace of mind as they navigate their plans.
The terms and eligibility criteria for these fares can differ between airlines. Many airlines require documentation like as a death certificate/ a letter from a healthcare provider to verify the circumstances of the travel. It is advisable for travelers to compare these rates with standard fares found online, as sometimes reserving regular tickets ahead of time may yield better deals.
For example: Alaska Airlines offers a bereavement discount to customers who are traveling at the last minute due to the demise of an immediate family member. Many airlines with bereavement fares dealing with a death in the family have some specific requirements. You may need to provide:
- Proof that the person has passed away like a death certificate.
- Contact details for the funeral home/hospital involved.
- Documentation that shows how you are related to the person who died.
- Plans to travel within one to two weeks after the death.
Tours N Travel Pro Tip: This program offers flexibility and discounted fares for SkyMiles® Members who need to travel due to the death of an Immediate Family member.
Related Post – Why is Alaska Airlines so cheap?
How Does Airline Bereavement Fares Work?
- Bereavement flights, also known as compassion fares and are discounted airfares provided by airlines in response to the immediate death/serious illness of a close family member.
- These tickets provide a discounted rate on short-notice flights for the immediate family members of someone who passed away.
- Note that travelers cannot book bereavement flights online themselves.
- You need to provide the proof of the bereavement situation to the airline.
- Once they check, they will apply the bereavement plane discount to your ticket.
- Keep in mind that not all airlines offer a bereavement flight discount to passengers.
- Few airlines offer a percentage off the market ticket cost while others might offer a flexible change and cancellation policy.
- It is important to research and understand the terms and conditions of your chosen airline.
- Southwest does not offer bereavement fares.
Related Post – Alaska Airlines Cancellation Policy
Which Airlines Offer Bereavement Flight Discount?
Bereavement fares are special discounted rates offered by airlines to passengers who require to travel due to the death of a close family member. There are various major airlines that offer bereavement fares to support passengers who need to travel at the last moment. Here are a few airlines that offer these discounts.
| Airlines | Relation to Deceased | Helpful to Know | How to Book |
| Air Canada |
Immediate family members |
No refunds applicable for travel that has already happened. Travel need to occur within 10 days of reservation and should not exceed 60 days. | Via Phone Call |
| Delta Airlines | Immediate family member | Discounted fares and flexibility are applicable on SkyMiles members. Enrolment is free of cost | Via Online Message/Phone Call |
| JetBlue Airlines | Immediate family members | There is no discounted fare is available but they can consider a fee waiver for change fees in the situation of rebooking. | Via Live Chat or Phone Call |
| WestJet Airlines | Call to inquire | WestJet Reward account is needed. Travel must be completed within 30 days of the flight booking. | Via Phone Call only |
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The following airlines do not offer Bereavement plane tickets:
- American Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- British Airlines
- United Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Allegiant Airlines
Tours N Travel Pro: Bereavement fares are more so highly discounted full fare tickets so that you get maximum flexibility and protection at a fraction of the regular full fare price. When you trip with family you you should aware of Group Travel deals.
How to Apply for Airline Bereavement Fares?
Bereavement fares are a percentage off the regular ticket price with discounts that range from 5% to 25% based on the airline. To apply for airline bereavement fares, you must call the airline’s customer service, as these are not accessible online. It is better to check the standard fares as they might be cheaper. Check out the steps to apply for discounted flights:
- Contact the airline’s customer service immediately.
- Tell the agent you wish to book a Bereavement plane ticket due to a death in the family.
- You have to provide the following information:
- Full name of the deceased person
- Your relationship to them
- Name and contact information of the hospital/funeral home.
- Date of funeral
- Inquire if they offer discounts.
- They may ask you to provide the proof of death.
- Few airlines like Air Canada or WestJet allow you to book a regular ticket and apply for a refund after your trip by submitting a form with proof.
Important Things to Remember:
- Many airlines do not publish these fares so you have to connect with their representatives.
- Sometimes, a regular ticket is less expensive/ use miles or a credit card to enjoy perks.
- Remember that the policies differ as the immediate family qualifies.
- Travel often needs to occur within 7 to 14 days of demise.
- Bereavement flights offer special fares to immediate family members of a person who has died.
WestJet offers bereavement fares to those who are experiencing an imminent death or have had a death in their family.
Who Qualifies for a Bereavement Fare?
- Airlines provide a bereavement flight discount to their passengers who are facing a death in their family.
- You must be a member of the airline’s Mileage Plan and be able to provide the needed documentation, such as funeral documentation.
- It is important to note that each airline may have a different definition of “immediate family.” This includes parents/ spouses/ children/ siblings/ grandparents/ grandchildren/ and legal guardians.
- Airline Bereavement fares are only available for travel that will occur within seven days of reservation and the length of stay must not more than 30 days.
- For further details, you can contact Tours N Travel Pro at Call Us : +1-866-679-5070 or visit the airline’s official website.
Tours N Travel Pro: Alaska Airlines offers a 10% bereavement discount on travel within seven days of a loved one’s death.
What If Airlines Do Not Offer Bereavement Fares?
If airlines do not offer a bereavement flight discount, flyers should use the alternatives as mentioned below:
- Look for No Change Fee tickets as they might waive the change fee on the current tickets without a certain Bereavement discount.
- You can use your own earned miles as this provides flexibility.
- Purchase travel insurance and check if it covers trip disruption due to a death in the family.
- Compare Prices: A standard last-minute ticket bought online can be cheaper than airline bereavement fares, so compare the cost.
- Organizations like Give a Mile can help you book flights in emergency situations.
Tours N Travel Pro Tip: Focus on the flexibility and use points for last-minute needs as many carriers have stopped specific bereavement discounts.
Tips for Traveling During Bereavement
Look at the helpful tips to book your Bereavement plane tickets with ease:
- Stay Organized: Airlines with Bereavement fares require additional information and documentation associated with your situation. You must be familiar with all airlines’ requirements so you can ensure you gather everything in a timely manner.
- Be Informed: Each airline has its own policy, so you must not assume that the information of one airline will be the same for others. In this case, just contact your preferred airline and get the most up-to-date details.
- Seek Support: Do not hesitate to get support from friends/a therapist who can assist you in navigating the procedure.
Bereavement fares have disappeared because low-fare carriers and discount airlines offer very low fares every day.
Final Words!
Airline bereavement fares offer crucial relief for last-minute travel during family loss. But the policies differ with major airlines eliminating them to provide more flexible options like waived change fees. Flyers must check the airline policies and compare the cost against the standard fare. You may find a reasonable price at the last minute and even promotions.
To learn more about the Bereavement plane tickets or plan your travel during the bereavement situation, contact Tours N Travel Pro at Call Us : +1-866-679-5070 Today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Few airlines offer bereavement fares for urgent travel due to a death in the family. But many major airlines have discontinued them so you need to check with the specific airline if they are providing the bereavement or not.
No! You cannot book bereavement flights online so you must call the customer service of the airline to request for the bereavement plane tickets and agents will verify your situation and documentation.
Yes! Delta Air Lines offers bereavement fares for those with immediate family emergencies and provides the discounted rates. It comes with domestic and international travel that requires a SkyMiles membership. The documentation includes the funeral home details, but flyers should check if the special fare is cheaper than standard tickets as the discounts are not always the same.
No! American Airlines does not offer bereavement fares and discontinued this program in 2014. Instead, they suggest exploring the flexible fare options and checking for general deals. However, the reservation for new tickets for bereavement requires research for standard deals.
You need to prove the death of an immediate family member for a bereavement flight with documents like a death certificate or a letter from a hospital. Provide the details like the deceased’s name/ your relationship/ and the funeral home’s contact info when you call the agent for booking.
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