Travelling to Australia for funeral

RWSmmith

Hi All
My OH need to travel to Australia for her aunties funeral and was told that if you mention to some airlines the reason for travel, they give you discount and possibly an upgrade (after confirming with the funeral home), has anyone heard of this? If so could you please give some guidance?

Many thanks in advance

geordieracer

Ive only ever heard of this if its immediate family - i know my partner had to do this a while back and im not sure extended families are part of the policy. Though there is no harm in asking.

But to look for flights try Air asia to Kuala Lumpur and then there local to darwin and from there onwards. They are normally very cheap

Doshwaster

geordieracer wrote: »

Ive only ever heard of this if its immediate family - i know my partner had to do this a while back and im not sure extended families are part of the policy. Though there is no harm in asking

Yes, typically only for immediate family and even then only if you have decent status with the airline. Otherwise I'm sure everyone could find a long lost relative who has just died.

geordieracer

Doshwaster wrote: »

Yes, typically only for immediate family and even then only if you have decent status with the airline. Otherwise I'm sure everyone could find a long lost relative who has just died.

When she done it she had to pay full price for the flight then send in her mothers death certificate to the airline to get a rebate - and prove that it was her mam as had different surnames. Took about 8 months to get about £500 quid back.

RWSmmith

Many thanks all for your assistance, I'm glad it'snot someone winding me up, I will mention it when booking, if you don't ask you don't get.
Thanks again all

richardw

They are called compassionate fares and you have to telephone to see if they are available in your circumstances and if it is possible for you to provide proof. They are not always the cheapest available but may be the cheapest flexible fares available.

dzug1

They tend to be available with American airlines - and don't always offer much of a discount. Not that common in the UK

mumto2loves

my mum flew with ryan air for her mums funeral, they knew why she was flying when she booked but they didn't give any discount.

On the flight though they did make an announcement asking for her to make herself known to the crew (don't understand why they didn't know where she was sat!) then they moved her to a better seat and checked her all through the flight (was she ok, did she need anything, could they get her anything) and when they landed they took her and her hand luggage off the plane 1st.

she said they really made an effort and it really did make a difference.:)

hope everything goes as well as possible for your oh.

spiro

Bereavement is about the only event that Ryanair will refund your flights for, so they are obviously not quite as stone hearted as some people think.

malkie76

RWSmmith wrote: »

Hi All
My OH need to travel to Australia for her aunties funeral and was told that if you mention to some airlines the reason for travel, they give you discount and possibly an upgrade (after confirming with the funeral home), has anyone heard of this? If so could you please give some guidance?

Many thanks in advance

Why would that be relevant ? surely the important part is getting to the location, not being comfortable on the trip?

As suggested above some airlines (largely american ones) do offer discounts for compassionate reasons, but also as suggested above that tends to be on flexible (ie super expensive) tickets. The advantage there is that often you won't know the exact dates you need to travel or when you'll return and this gives you the flexibility.

It is possible to go to Oz with an american carrier via west coast USA - you may wish to try that ?

As others have suggested telephone the airline rather than look online - you may also wish to try a high street travel agent who may be better placed to find airlines will to support your needs.

Very sorry to hear of your circumstances

zigzagzig

would not waste phone call to Quantas air lines . my dad was killed in an accident in tasmania in feb , my mum was injured . my brother phoned them and said if he booked a single ticket out to taz could they transfer my dads ticket into his name for the journey home.[so he could help and be with his mum for the journey back to the uk ] .Quantas would not help at all. my dad subscribed to Which holiday mag , they are on the case for us , but had nothing back so far . good luck though