Anne

I have a friend whose brother is dying. She's been told if she wants to see him, she needs to get to California this weekend. Where can we look for reasonable fares since it's such short notice??
She'd be flying from Burlington VT or Albany NY to Sacramento. All the fares I've found have been over $800 and as much as $1300.

Thanks for ANY advice!!

Dan

San francisco should be cheaper, 2Hours to Sacramento.

lawren

Anne,
check southwest airlines www.southwest.com. Better yet call them. I had a similar emegency earlier this year and American changed my flights for free.

Merilee

It's $522.00 round-trip on JetBlue from Burlington non-stop to Oakland. Go to their website. Oakland is near San Francisco, which is about 1 1/2 hours from Sacramento. You didn't state if a rental car was an option. Often the bereavement fares that are quoted are sky high. No pun intended.

x

Southwest goes from Albany to Sacramento stopping in Las Vegas for full fare price of $572. You wouldn't have to negotiate your way from Oakland to Sacto. They have lots of reduced fares for advance purchase. Don't know if they'd give you a break for this late date but it's worth a call.

Betty

I would suggest you try flying out of Manchester NH to either Oakland, San Jose or Sacramento. By the way, try calling different airlines. I've been told some airlines are very sympathetic and still offer low fares if you explain the situation. Best of luck

Anne

Thanks for all your help -- and so quickly too! That's why I LOVE this site!!

Anne

David

When your friend calls the airline, make sure they ask for the bereavement fare.

been there

Bereavement fares are not necessarily lower than the lowest promotional fares available, they are a discount off of full fare coach.
Many airlines will require you to purchase a regular ticket and upon "proof" (usually certified letter from physician or funeral home information) will refund the difference between the fare paid and the bereavement fare amount.
Anne, your friend is lucky to have you help her. Trying to figure out airfares adds so much stress to an already difficult time!

ddd

I would try Priceline. I've only used them once, when my grandmother died. I was in Vegas on vacation and needed to get a flight out the next day to go to Philadelphia to be with my family. I bid $250 on Priceline and it was accepted. (and it was a very easy process).

TravelPro

I found this...
1 AA4818 K 13SEP F ALB JFK 0700A 0800A
2 AA287 K 13SEP F JFK OAK 0845A 1156A
3 AA288 K 17SEP T OAK JFK 0105P 0932P
4 AA4779 K 17SEP T JFK ALB 1010P 1110P

TOTAL FARE - USD 626.00