Last-minute flights are rarely cheap—and when you’re booking one due to a death in the family, you don’t have the luxury of waiting for prices to drop.
That’s where bereavement fares can come in. They’re discounted tickets (or at least more flexible ones) offered by some airlines for travelers dealing with the recent or imminent loss of a loved one.
But these fares are not as straightforward as they once were. Over the past decade, many airlines have quietly phased them out, while others have kept them but narrowed eligibility and reduced the discount. In some cases, what you’re really getting isn’t a dramatically cheaper ticket, but a slightly more flexible one—something that can be useful when plans are uncertain. Still, depending on where you’re going, and how quickly you need a ticket, you might find they’re worth a look.
Here’s how they work and what to expect if you decide to pursue one.
What is a bereavement fare and what situations apply?
A bereavement fare is a discounted airline ticket offered to travelers who need to fly because of a death in the family. However, airlines tend to define “family” pretty narrowly.
In most cases, qualifying relationships include immediate family members: parents, children, spouses, and siblings. Some airlines extend that to grandparents, grandchildren, and in-laws, but that’s usually where the qualification stops. More extended family like cousins, aunts, or uncles generally don’t qualify, regardless of how close the relationship.
A few airlines also make allowances for end-of-life situations, such as when a family member is in hospice or critical condition. That can be helpful if you’re trying to travel before a death occurs, but again, it depends on the airline and sometimes the discretion of the agent handling your request.
What documentation is required to obtain a bereavement fare?
You won’t necessarily need paperwork in hand to book, but you should be prepared to provide details.
Airlines may ask for things like the name of the deceased or ill family member, your relationship to them, and contact information for the funeral home, hospital, or hospice care.
In some cases, documentation—like a death certificate—may be requested after the fact. For example, to obtain a bereavement fare with Air Canada, travelers must provide documentation within a week of returning from travel. Failure to do so may result in having to pay the regular fare price difference.
Because these fares are handled over the phone with an airline agent, there may be a bit of flexibility in how strictly the rules are applied. Questions will be asked, though, so you should be prepared to verify your situation.
Who do you contact to get a bereavement fare?
Unlike most flights, bereavement fares are almost never bookable online.
Instead, you’ll need to call the airline directly and speak with a reservations agent. Some carriers have dedicated lines for bereavement travel, but many route these requests through general customer service, which means hold times can vary.
The agent will confirm eligibility, check pricing, and walk you through your options. Because this happens in real time, it’s a good idea to look up flight options before calling so you have a sense of what standard fares cost and which routes work for your schedule.
How much of a discount can you expect?
Bereavement fares used to offer more significant discounts, but today they’re typically applied to full-fare or flexible tickets, not the lowest available price. That means the actual savings can be modest—sometimes in the range of 5 to 25 percent, depending on the airline and route.
In some cases, the real benefit isn’t the price at all, but the flexibility. Bereavement fares may allow for changes or cancellations with fewer penalties, which can be useful if you’re not sure how long you’ll need to stay or when you’ll return.
Which airlines offer bereavement fares?
The list has gotten much shorter in recent years. In North America, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, and WestJet have consistent bereavement fare policies, although all five have specific eligibility requirements and booking rules. The only major international airline that offers what’s referred to as “compassionate travel” is Qantas, and the fares are available for both Australian domestic and international travel.
Most major U.S. airlines—including American Airlines and United Airlines—no longer offer bereavement fares. Instead, they point travelers toward flexible fare options or encourage the use of travel insurance. Because airline policies change all the time, it’s always worth checking directly with the airline if you’re looking into a bereavement fare.
Is it worth it?
It depends on the trip—and how much effort you want to put into it.
If you’re booking a long-haul or international flight at the last minute, a bereavement fare may offer enough savings or flexibility to make it worthwhile. Even a small percentage discount can be substantive on a more expensive ticket, and the ability to change your plans without a fee is also valuable.
For shorter domestic flights, the difference is often minimal. And the process—calling, waiting on hold, answering questions, and possibly following up with documentation—can take time and energy you may not have.
A practical move is to treat bereavement fares as a backup, not a starting point. Price out your options online first, including for standard tickets, miles redemptions, even fares from other nearby airports, and then decide if it’s worth making the customer-service call. If the savings or flexibility are there, go for it. If not, opt for the flight that works best for your budget and time.
