Losing a loved one is an incredibly painful experience. Amidst the grief and arrangements, the need to travel can add extra stress. Bereavement flights, sometimes referred to as compassion fares, are designed to alleviate some of this burden by offering discounted or flexible travel options. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about bereavement flights, helping you understand how they work and how to access them during these challenging times.
Understanding Bereavement Flights
Bereavement flights are special fares offered by airlines to individuals who need to travel unexpectedly due to the death or impending death of a close family member. These fares are intended to provide some financial and logistical relief during emotionally challenging times.
Key Benefits of Bereavement Flights:
- Reduced Costs: Bereavement fares are often lower than standard ticket prices, although the discount percentage can vary significantly.
- Flexibility: Airlines typically offer more flexible change and cancellation policies on bereavement fares, understanding the unpredictable nature of these travel needs.
- Supportive Services: Some airlines may offer additional assistance, such as expedited check-in or baggage handling, to bereavement travelers.
How Bereavement Flights Operate
Navigating bereavement travel requires understanding the specific processes involved. Here’s a breakdown of how these special fares typically work:
📌 Eligibility Requirements: Airlines generally restrict bereavement fares to immediate family members, including spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Some airlines may extend eligibility to grandparents, grandchildren, or in-laws.
📌 Verification Process: To confirm eligibility, airlines require documentation verifying the death or imminent death. This usually includes a death certificate, a letter from a funeral home, or a doctor’s note in cases of imminent death.
📌 Booking Procedures: Bereavement fares are not typically available online. You must contact the airline directly by phone to inquire about and book these special fares.
📌 Flexibility and Changes: One of the primary advantages of bereavement flights is their flexible terms. Airlines often waive change fees and may offer more lenient cancellation policies, allowing travelers to adjust their plans as needed.
Essential Documentation for Bereavement Travel
When booking bereavement flights, having the necessary documents readily available is crucial to streamline the process and secure the appropriate fares. Here’s a list of documents you’ll likely need:
- 📝 Death Certificate: This is the most common document required to verify the death of a family member.
- 🏥 Hospital or Doctor’s Note: In cases of imminent death where travel is needed urgently, a note from a hospital or doctor confirming the critical condition is usually accepted.
- 📄 Proof of Relationship: Documents such as birth certificates or marriage licenses may be required to prove your relationship to the deceased or seriously ill family member.
Having these documents prepared will help ensure a smoother and faster booking experience when you contact the airline.
Airlines Offering Bereavement Fares
While bereavement fares were once more common, fewer airlines offer specific bereavement programs today. However, some airlines still provide compassionate travel options. Here’s a look at airlines that currently offer bereavement fares:
✈️ Delta Air Lines Bereavement Fares
Delta Air Lines offers bereavement fares to assist SkyMiles members traveling due to the death or imminent death of an immediate family member.
✅ What They Offer: Flexible fares with potential discounts on published fares.
✅ Booking Method: Must be booked by phone through Delta Reservations.
✅ Eligibility: Available to SkyMiles members traveling due to an immediate family member’s death or imminent death.
📝 Required Documents:
- Death certificate
- Proof of relationship
- Contact information for the funeral home or hospital
🚫 Important Notes:
- Fares are subject to availability and might not always be the lowest available fare.
- Delta provides flexibility by waiving service fees, but fare differences may still apply.
- It’s always advisable to compare bereavement fares with other available promotional fares.
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✈️ Alaska Airlines Bereavement Fares
Alaska Airlines provides a bereavement fare discount for Mileage Plan members needing to travel due to a family loss.
✅ What They Offer: A 10% discount on the lowest available fare at the time of booking.
✅ Booking Method: Phone bookings only.
✅ Eligibility: Mileage Plan members traveling because of the death of an immediate family member.
📝 Required Documents:
- Proof of relationship
- Death certificate
🚫 Important Notes:
- Not applicable for medical emergencies or general emergency travel.
- Cannot be combined with other discounts or promotional offers.
- Discount applies only to new ticket purchases made through customer service.
Further Reading: Guide to Alaska Airlines Cancellation Policy
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✈️ WestJet Bereavement Fares
WestJet offers flexible fares for travelers in bereavement situations.
✅ What They Offer: Flexible fares on Econo and EconoFlex fare options.
✅ Booking Method: Phone bookings only.
✅ Eligibility: Requires a WestJet Rewards account, and travel must be completed within 30 days.
📝 Required Documents:
- Reason for travel
- Relationship to the deceased
🚫 Important Notes:
- Not available on UltraBasic, Member Exclusive, Premium, or Business fares.
- Cannot be combined with other discounts or vouchers.
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✈️ Air Canada Bereavement Fares
Air Canada’s bereavement policy offers flexible travel options for those needing to travel due to a death in the immediate family.
✅ What They Offer: Flexible fares on Economy Standard, Flex, Comfort, and Latitude classes.
✅ Booking Method: Book by phone and provide documentation within 7 days post-travel.
✅ Eligibility: Flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada Express, and codeshare partners.
📝 Required Documents:
- Death certificate or equivalent proof
- Contact details of the hospital or funeral home
🚫 Important Notes:
- No refunds for travel already completed.
- Potentially lower, less flexible fares might be available online, so compare options.
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✈️ Hawaiian Airlines Bereavement Fares
Hawaiian Airlines provides bereavement fares specifically for inter-island travel within Hawaii.
✅ What They Offer: Discounts for travel within the state of Hawaii only.
✅ Booking Method: Available for travel within 48 hours of booking.
✅ Eligibility: Immediate family members, including in-laws, stepparents, and stepchildren.
📝 Required Documents:
- Death certificate
- Proof of relationship (e.g., birth or marriage certificate)
🚫 Important Notes:
- Not valid for travel outside of Hawaii.
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Airlines Without Bereavement Fare Programs
It’s important to note that many major airlines no longer offer dedicated bereavement fare programs. For travelers seeking bereavement travel, understanding which airlines do not offer these fares is just as crucial. Here are some airlines that have discontinued or do not have bereavement fares:
⏩ Southwest Airlines Bereavement Travel
Southwest Airlines does not offer bereavement fares. Instead, Southwest focuses on providing generally low fares and flexible change and cancellation policies to all passengers. While they don’t have a specific bereavement program, their standard flexible fares can be beneficial for last-minute travel needs.
⏩ JetBlue Bereavement Flights
🔸 No bereavement fares are available.
🔸 JetBlue emphasizes competitive standard fares with built-in flexibility.
🔸 For urgent travel, explore their regular fares, known for affordability and change options.
⏩ American Airlines Bereavement Flights
🔹 Does not offer specific bereavement fares.
🔹 American Airlines may consider ticket refunds or changes on a case-by-case basis with adequate proof of relationship and circumstance.
🔹 Contact customer service to discuss potential fare adjustments or refunds in bereavement situations.
Learn More: American Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Guide
⏩ Spirit Airlines Bereavement Flights
💠 No bereavement fares offered.
💠 Spirit maintains a model of low-cost fares without specific bereavement discounts.
💠 Booking in advance is recommended to secure the best rates on their regular flights, even for urgent travel.
⏩ United Airlines Bereavement Flights
➰ Discontinued bereavement fare program in 2014.
➰ Travelers must utilize standard fare options for bereavement travel.
➰ For international bereavement flights or domestic travel, explore available fares and contact customer service for potential flexibility or support.
For those needing international bereavement flights, it’s advisable to check all available fare options and directly contact airlines to understand their policies and any support they can offer during bereavement travel.
FlyO Tip: Investigate whether your credit card or travel insurance provides travel benefits for bereavement situations. Some financial products offer additional support or travel assistance in these circumstances.
Booking Your Bereavement Flight: A Step-by-Step Guide
Booking bereavement flights requires a slightly different approach than booking typical air travel. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you through the process:
- 📞 Contact the Airline Directly: Bereavement fares are almost exclusively booked via phone. Call the airline’s customer service or reservations line to inquire about bereavement fares. For assistance, FlyOfinder is also available at +1-571-378-7016.
- 🗂️ Prepare Required Documents: Have the necessary documentation ready, such as a death certificate, hospital letter, or funeral home information.
- 📋 Provide Documentation: Be prepared to submit or verbally provide the required documentation to the airline representative.
- 📱 Complete Booking Over the Phone: Finalize your booking with the airline representative, as bereavement fares cannot be booked online.
- 🔍 Understand Fare Terms: Clarify all terms and conditions, including any fare differences, change policies, and cancellation flexibility.
Final Thoughts on Bereavement Travel
Navigating the complexities of booking bereavement flights during an already stressful time can be overwhelming. By understanding your options, knowing which airlines offer bereavement fares (and which do not, like Southwest Airlines), and preparing the necessary documents, you can simplify the process. While specific military bereavement flight tickets might be a separate category, many airlines aim to provide some level of flexible or discounted support for urgent bereavement travel needs.
If you require assistance with booking a flight during these difficult circumstances, don’t hesitate to call FlyOfinder at +1-571-378-7016 for support in finding and booking suitable bereavement travel options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much discount do bereavement flights offer?
Bereavement flight discounts typically range from 5% to 20% off the standard fare, though this can vary by airline and availability.
Can you get a bereavement discount on any flight?
Bereavement discounts are not universally offered by all airlines. Airlines that do offer them usually have specific eligibility criteria and documentation requirements. Contact the airline directly to inquire about availability and conditions. For booking assistance, reach out to FlyOfinder at +1-571-378-7016.
What do you need to book bereavement flights?
To book bereavement flights, you generally need to call the airline directly and provide documentation such as a death certificate or a hospital letter, along with proof of your relationship to the deceased or seriously ill family member.
Are bereavement flights free?
No, airlines do not typically offer free flights for bereavement. Instead, they provide discounted fares or flexible terms on changes and cancellations when you provide the necessary documentation.
Does American Airlines offer bereavement fares?
No, American Airlines has discontinued its bereavement fare program. However, they may offer case-by-case refunds or changes in emergency situations with proof of death and relationship.
Does Southwest Airlines have bereavement fares?
No, Southwest Airlines does not offer bereavement fares. Southwest focuses on maintaining low regular fares and providing flexible change and cancellation policies to all customers.
When did airlines stop offering bereavement fares?
The trend of discontinuing bereavement fares has occurred over the last decade. For example, United Airlines ended its program in 2014, and other airlines have phased them out at different times.
Does United Airlines offer bereavement discounts?
No, United Airlines no longer provides bereavement flight discounts. Travelers needing to fly for family emergencies must book standard fares, although some flexibility may be offered for changes or cancellations.
What is JetBlue’s bereavement policy?
JetBlue does not have a specific bereavement fare policy. They advise customers to check their standard fares, which are designed to be competitive and flexible for last-minute travel needs.
Does United Airlines still give bereavement discounts?
No, United Airlines discontinued its bereavement discount program in 2014. Passengers are advised to book regular fares and explore other potential discounts or flexible options.
