Bereavement fares

Does anyone have experience getting bereavement fares on a US / UK flight? We usually fly British Airways, but I see that they no longer offer this discount. Is this typically the case with all airlines today?

Thanks.

BA doens't offer bereavement fares because they feel their fares are already low enough, I tried to get one a few years ago, but they just dont offer them. Good luck! I don't think too many airlines offer them anymore.

Haven't done them internationally, but my experience in the USA was that I had to call and speak to them to get bereavement fare quotes, but I never once took them because I could always get a lower fare just by going online and booking a ticket.  I can see how many companies would stop offering them when it doesn't save any money anyway--I'm sure there are times they save as they are supposed to, but I haven't seen it yet.

Sorry for any bad news.  Dealing with money and airlines when there is a loss is the last thing anyone wants to do.

Continental has a fairly generous policy, although they managed to find some "taxes" that weren't identified as such in order to bring my ticket cost down.

I was able to get bereavement fares from the USA to UK last February 07.  I literally turned up at Atlanta airport, explained the situation i.e my mother was dying and that was it, they took my money and gave me the tickets.   I had to get a letter from the hospital in the UK when I was there for presenting to the airline on my return.

I can't remember exactly the cost now but will look it up and see if I can find it for you.

Thanks for all responses.

welshie 57: sorry to hear about your mother. I'd be interested to know what you paid.
 

When my mom died a year ago this week I didn't get diddly squat from BA...except lost luggage!

Sorry to hear you are having to deal with this!!

American Airlines didn't give me anything, but I got the price I'd have gotten 3 months before two days before.  I think I called that a win, and didn't really try looking much harder.  I'm very sorry to hear you are looking into bereavement fares.   

Thanks again.

Yes, it's so unfortunate that in the midst of a family crisis you've got to worry about money and plane tickets. Unfortunately, it looks like my husband's cousin is losing her fight with cancer. She's only 42 years old.  :\\\'(

Sevans,

I'm truly sorry to hear your news, that really is tragic.

I came in from work this evening and tried to find the info re the price I paid last year but I just can't seem to locate it.  From memory, I seem to recall that the price for both myself and my little girl was in the region of 1,200 pounds, return flights with open dates.  That day, looking back now, is very hazy as far as figures and facts go.

I basically received the call, my daughter was in school and at the time I remember I was gardening.  I didn't even change my clothes, just grabbed our passports. I  drove to the school and collected my little girl and then straight to the airport.  No packing, there wasn't any time. 

Having lost my mother last year I never want to be in that position again and I think I've come to realise just how important family  is.  We are aiming to go home at the end of next year.
 

Sorry for what your family is going through.

I found this online...

http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/Bereavement-fares-Little-consolation.html?id=14172

It seems more expensive. I know after my sister died we had people fly in (not international) and they ended up opting not to use the offer for the bereavement discount. They do ask for proof though...we had the mortuary print out requests for the people who we thought would need them.

Good luck!