GDAALGER

A group of friend's were present when one received a telephone call from father that mother in hospital (dying). I went online, normally i personally book through hotwire, however, ORBITZ.COM came up with the least expensive rountrip on Delta Airlines. I just put in a tentative return date not knowing when his mother would pass. Another friend put the expense on her credit card. We did not print that page! The confirmation sent did not indicate either one way OR round trip, but subsequent emails have been received by Orbitz with even less expensive round trips. Funeral for his mother was today! He is the sole provider for his family and wants to return on February 2. Called Delta for return flight and they said to contact Orbitz and that there was an error. First call to Orbitz the initial cust. serv. rep. admitted there was an error, put his wife and I on hold for an hour before getting a supervisor, who refused to schedule and book the return flight. Told us it would be $910! After reinterating the circumstances she told us it would be $150 to change the return! Four days and an email & phone call to corporate, still no remedy! Help, please!

bettyk

I'm sorry, but that is one of the problems when you book with Orbitz, Priceline, Expedia, etc., instead of booking with the airline directly. Most, if not all, airlines, will give you a lower fare when there is a death or imminent death in the family as long as you can provide proof.

Maybe someone will have better news for you.

doug_stallings

Unfortunately, airlines don't really have bereavement fares any more, and $150 and fare difference is typical to change a non refundable ticket. Not quite sure what you are looking for. Perhaps a one-way ticket on another airline would be cheaper. But I think it's unrealistic to think you're going to get a break on the airfare just because it's a funeral. Even Southwest will bend over backward to get one o a funeral but not back.

I just went through this myself and used miles. But that's the best I can offer. I'm very sorry.

qwovadis

Common policy to shaft folks around family deaths with high fees on changes of any kind on all the agents like orbitz and even direct Delta.com. A direct call to a supervisor might be helpful. Depending on your route hopping a cheapo web fare on southwest.com spirit.com jetblue.com might save a bunch. Very sad situation though my prayer are with you.

clevelandbrown

Had you bought a non-discount ticket, you would be able to change the return date without cost. That is why business travelers often buy such tickets. However, you would have paid a lot more for the ticket.

While no one likes being hit with a $150 changing fee, you probably come out far ahead buying the discounted ticket and paying the changing fee, than if you had bought a full fare ticket.