Which airlines offer bereavement fares?
By John Pacenti • Bankrate.com
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Highlights
Not all airlines offer bereavement fares.
Even a discounted bereavement fare may not be the cheapest option.
Most fares of this nature need to be made via phone, so be prepared to talk to the
airline.
Bereavement fares have slowly been disappearing in the last decade as airlines try to
cut costs. As booking flights has also moved online, it makes finding the fares even
more difficult because many require phone calls.
Even for those airlines that do offer those discounted fares, it may not be the cheapest
option. As painful as it sounds, research is often needed to weigh the best option.
'The fares were outrageous'
Albert Diaz, a Delray Beach, Fla., resident, found the difficulties of finding a cheaper
bereavement fare when he had to attend the funerals of two beloved aunts in 1998 and
2006, respectively. Diaz flew from Columbus, Ohio, to Miami in 1998 and from West
Palm Beach, Fla., to New York City in 2006.
It's an unfortunate inevitability for many: making last-minute plane reservations for a
funeral of a loved one. In a time of emotional upheaval, it's hard to think about dollars
and cents when it comes to air travel, but there are decisions to be made.
"I did shop around," Diaz says. "There were no discounts, and the fares were
outrageous."
Finding a discounted fare can be daunting, but airlines that do offer bereavement fares
often do so by availability, length of stay, destination, class and whether it's a nonstop
flight. For many carriers, the customer is offered the lowest available advance-purchase
fare -- but there is far from an industry standard.
American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith says the Dallas-based carrier tries to split the
difference with its bereavement fare discount.
"We have never portrayed or tried to say we are the least expensive fare out there," he
says. "But it tends to be kind of in the middle between a full walk-up fare and an
advance purchase, leisure type."
This philosophy, Smith says, tends to keep people honest. The airline may ask for a
phone number to a funeral home or hospital to verify information, but it's not mandatory.
The airline also is very "liberal," as Smith says, in applying the fare. An uncle or a
distant relative or even dear friend can qualify, he says.
Fares and conditions vary across airlines
Some airlines, American included, also allow discounted fares for medical emergencies
and flexible return dates. These policies vary though, so discussion of such issues is a
must.
A random check of American Airlines for a last-minute bereavement fare in mid-March
between Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Phoenix for four days was $692 as compared to the
$851 normal cost.
Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines also offers bereavement fares. It cost $425 for a similar
flight between Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Phoenix for the same time frame under the
bereavement policy, as compared to the walk-up rate of $595.
To help those searching the Web for bereavement fares, Bankrate conducted a small
survey of major airlines to see which offered the discounted rate. Here are the results as
well as the conditions of qualifying for the discounts.
Airline bereavement conditions/details
Bereavement
fare offered?
Conditions and restrictions
Family members included for discount
(888) 247-2262
Air Canada
Yes
The traveler must fly within seven days
of booking and can't stay more than 30
days.
Family members eligible for reduced
airfare include: spouse (includes common-
law and same-sex partners); child
(includes adopted, grandchild and great-
grandchild); parent (includes stepparent,
grandparent, great-grandparent, parent-
in-law and common-law parent-in-law);
daughter, son, father and mother
(includes legal, in-law, common-law in-law
and in-law); brother and sister (includes
stepsibling, half-sibling, in-law and
common-law in-law); aunt, uncle, niece
and nephew (including those of spouse
and common-law spouse); legal guardian
with proof of judgement; and spouse of
legal guardian.
(800) 237-2747
Air France
Yes
Travel is offered between metropolitan
France and the French overseas
departments (Martinique, Guadeloupe,
Reunion and French Guiana). Air
France does not offer special fares for
any other destination, but many
insurance policies reimburse airline
tickets in this case. For more
information, check with your insurance
company, travel insurance provider or
the insurance policy associated with
your credit card.
Not available.
AirTran
No
Alaskan Airlines
No
Allegiant Air
No
(800) 433-7300
American Airlines
Yes
Fares are flexible based on availability.
The return date is flexible, and
verification may be required. Fares are
available for medical emergencies as
well.
The reduced airfare is flexible depending
on the situation. The traveler must call for
more details.
(800) 433-7300
Delta Air Lines
Yes
Reservations must be made by phone.
Verification is required, and domestic
travel must occur within three days of
the death of the immediate family
member.
Family members eligible for reduced
airfare include: spouse, domestic partner,
child, stepchild, sister, brother, aunt,
uncle, niece, nephew, stepbrother,
stepsister, parent, stepparent, grandchild,
grandparent, mother-in-law, father-in-law,
son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-
law, sister-in-law, and fiance.
El Al Israel
No
Frontier Airlines
No
Hawaiian Airlines
No
JetBlue
No
KLM
No
(866) 436-9526
LAN
Yes
The traveler must provide a medical
certificate.
Not available.
(800) 645-3880
Lufthansa
Yes
The traveler must make a one-week
advance purchase.
Not available.
Southwest Airlines
No
Spirit Airlines
No
(800) 241-6522
United Airlines
Yes
There is a 10 percent discount,
including visits to a seriously ill or
injured family member. The airline also
offers "after travel compassion" fares
where you can apply for the discount
with documentation.
The family members eligible include:
adopted ward, aunt, brother, brother-in-
law, daughter, daughter-in-law, domestic
partner, father, father-in-law, foster
brother, foster daughter, foster father,
foster mother, foster sister, foster son,
granddaughter, grandfather, grandmother,
grandson, half-brother, half-sister,
husband, legal guardian, mother, mother-
in-law, nephew, niece, sister, sister-in-law,
son, son-in-law, stepbrother,
stepdaughter, stepfather, stepmother,
stepsister, stepson, uncle and wife.
US Airways
No
Virgin Atlantic
No
Note: Except for United Airlines, bereavement discounts are based on availability, route and length of stay
