My husband and I have about a half million frequent flyer miles in our several accounts most of the time. We have never had any luck with last minute FF tix on any of the major carriers. I'm happy for those who have had success last minute but I would not count on using miles in a bereavement emergency. Threehearts

I appreciate people mentioning that the standard discount off a full fare for bereavement fare is often still higher than most maximum unrestricted fares. But the problem is, nearly all restricted fares require an advance purchase, often of at least 7 days. That makes those totally meaningless for bereavement fares. Most people don't know a week ahead of time that they even need to fly somewhere for "bereavement purposes".

Patrick, you are simply arguing that a 50% discount on a last minute airfare is not enough when it comes to a bereavement fare. I think that would be a good deal if it was available. There is no reason for the airline to sell you a ticket at a rock bottom price when you really need that ticket in an emergency.

Huh? No you misinterpreted my message. I was just saying that several posters have indicated that the super saver rates are even better than the regular bereavement discount. I was merely suggesting that those fares aren't usually worth mentioning -- since you can't get them anyway on short notice.

You are right, and I TOTALLY agree with you! Sorry if you misunderstood.

When my mom died last summer my husband was actually in flight to our home in Hawaii after being with us in CA. When he landed in Lihue he got the bad news; he went directly to the ticket counter to book a flight back and the agent (who was the station manager also) let him use his FF miles plus they booked booked a seat for our son using miles; they flew back the next day for free. Maybe it helped that my husband has elite FF status on United.

I have flown between Hawaii and CA very extensively the last 6 years, several times under emergency situations, and I am convinced that special circumstance bookings mainly depends on what mood the agent is in when they deal with you. Once I booked a HI-CA-HI ticket on Cheap Tickets (no refunds, no changes allowed) and I had to leave a day early due to a crisis. When I got the airport I was shaken up, the agent knew it, and when the agent realized the fare was going to double in price due to my change she waived it AND the change fee.

Thanks for those of you who have expressed your condolences.

Yes Christine, it is true.

Let me clear up few things:
US Air told me that I was qualified for a bereavement fare of $310 one way but had no "bereavement seats" on two different flights, which I would have gladly paid for the convenience. The regular fare for economy was, which they had seats for, was $620 or $640, one way. I called the airlines late at night and had to fly the next day. The only airline that flys direct to Pittsburgh from Portland is US Air. Portland has very limited choices to fly anywhere as they have 10 or 11 gates. Independence air had not yet started flying to Pittsburgh. I did not have access to a computer as I was on vacation at my parent's cottage. I ended up flying Independence to Cleveland via Dulles, for $210, which is where my husband picked my up and then we drove 2 hours. No the airlines do not owe me anything but don't offer "bereavement fares" if you aren't willing to give them. When somebody dies you usually can't plan in advance. I did not try my frequent flyer miles (probably my mistake) as I've tried before to use them for vacation with very flexable dates and haven't been able to get a flight

Thanks for the update, glad you were able to get a flight even tho it wasn't the most convenient.

I guess the big problem with securing bereavement fares/discounted fare at the last minute is that the traveler is in crisis mode and is probaly not patiently exploring all the various ways to get a cheap flight. Traveling on an emergency basis is no fun.

let me address what threehearts say that they can't use FF miles last minute. As I have probably said earlier in this thread, most airlines let you use double miles and get on any flight that has seats left. So, yes, it's 50K miles for a roundtrip, but no seat restriction. Look at the rate USAirways want to charge clueless - $640 for a one-way from Portland to Pittsburgh. It makes total sense to use 50K miles in this scenario to get those tickets to fly non-stop, without having to drive from Cleveland.

Therefore if threehearts and her husband has 500K+ miles in various accounts, I don't see why they won't use 50K for a roundtrip when necessary.

I know this is going to sound a little weird, but just yesterday I saw a TV advertisement for an east coast chain of funeral homes (can't remember the name) who "guarantee bereavement airfares for your relatives so they can attend the funeral..."

So now truly everybody is in the travel business?

YOu probably should have tried using FF miles as it might have worked, but it doesn't sound too bad what you ended up doing.

BTW I wasn't accusing you of making mistakes or not telling the facts correctly as to whether USAir had restricted seats, I was saying that it is always possible the USAir clerk you spoke to was wrong (as others have said, also). I never liked them, anyway, actually, and don't fly them unless I really can't avoid it.

Sorry, Patrick, I totally missed your point.

clueless, I definitely understand the situation. USAir had no bereavement fare available for me, either, for D.C. to Pittsburgh a couple of years ago. I got the news in the morning and was in the 'burgh that afternoon on a FF award.

I agree that it would make sense to use double miles if you have ample miles in your bank. What I was referring to was a last minute leisure trip which was optional. I'm sorry if I was confusing the situation since I didn't stick to the topic at hand. Threehearts