Bereavement & Compassion Fares

Q.    What is an airline bereavement fare?

A.    If you must travel due to a death in your immediate family, many airlines have a bereavement airfare.   Airlines will vary in what they offer; for example, some airlines will offer a discount off the published fare or give a waiver off an advance purchase fare.

When requesting this type of fare, be prepared to provide the airline with:

• Name of deceased, your relationship to them, and the name and phone   number of the funeral home.  The airline will verify your information before giving the discounted rate or waiver.

Q.    What is an airline compassion fare?

A.    A compassion fare applies if you must travel due to a serious illness or imminent death of a member of your immediate family.  The airlines will extend the same discounts or waivers to you as with bereavement fares.  Airlines policies vary and some do not offer any discount.   When requesting this type of fare, be prepared to provide the airline with:

• Name of person who is ill, your relationship to this person, and name and phone number of hospital and doctor.  The airline will verify your information before giving the discounted rate or waiver.

The definition of immediate family can vary by airline, but in general includes parent, children, brothers, sisters, in-laws, brother and sister in-laws, grandparents, grandchildren, and some include aunts and uncles.