"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
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.