Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Bereavement travel often has to be arranged with little notice, but a special airline fare is not guaranteed. A small number of North American airlines still publish bereavement or compassionate-fare policies, while many others sell only their regular last-minute fares. The best approach is to compare prices online, then contact the airline before purchasing.
Quick Answer
Yes, some airlines still offer bereavement fares. Delta, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, and WestJet publish special policies, but eligibility, booking windows, documentation, and flight restrictions vary. A bereavement fare may provide added flexibility rather than the lowest price, so compare the airline’s regular fare before booking.
Key Takeaways
- Delta, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, and WestJet publish bereavement-fare policies, but each program has different requirements.
- A bereavement fare is not automatically the cheapest fare. Its main advantage may be easier changes or more flexible conditions.
- Most special fares must be requested by phone or through an airline representative before the ticket is purchased.
- Be ready to provide the traveler’s relationship to the deceased and details for a hospital, hospice, physician, funeral home, or memorial service.
- Compare regular fares, points, nearby airports, and flexible tickets before accepting a bereavement quote.
At a Glance
| Time Required | Allow at least 20–30 minutes to compare fares and speak with an airline representative. |
| Difficulty | Moderate because eligibility, documentation, and fare restrictions differ by airline. |
| Tools Needed | Phone or airline messaging service, travel dates, passenger details, and supporting family, medical, or funeral information. |
| Cost | Varies by route and availability. The special fare may cost more than the lowest restricted public fare. |
What Is a Bereavement Fare?
A bereavement fare is a special ticket or fare policy for a passenger traveling because an immediate family member has died or, under some airline policies, is facing imminent death. Airlines may also call these tickets compassionate fares or emergency fares.
The benefit is not always a large discount. Depending on the airline, the fare may include a percentage discount, waived service fees, fewer change penalties, or additional flexibility if funeral or family plans change.
A bereavement fare is a policy category, not a promise that the ticket will be the lowest price available.
Airlines normally limit eligibility to people they define as immediate family. That definition may include spouses, domestic partners, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, or nephews, but the exact list differs by carrier.
Why Bereavement Fares Are Less Common Today
Bereavement fares were once a more familiar part of airline ticketing. Today, only a limited number of major North American airlines publish dedicated programs. Other carriers rely on regular fares, refundable tickets, travel credits, or case-by-case refund exceptions.
Modern airline pricing also creates an important tradeoff. A special emergency fare may provide better change terms, while a publicly available fare may have a lower starting price but stricter cancellation rules. This is why travelers should compare both options instead of assuming that the fare labeled “bereavement” is the best deal.
Which Airlines Still Offer Bereavement Fares?
The following major airlines publish dedicated bereavement policies as of July 2026. Policies can change, so review the linked airline page and confirm the conditions with a representative before paying.
| Airline | Published Benefit | Important Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | Discounted fares and added change flexibility. | SkyMiles membership is required. Travel generally must begin within seven days of the death or imminent death. Book through a representative. |
| Alaska Airlines | A 10% discount from the lowest available qualifying fare. | Applies to qualifying travel within the next seven days because of an immediate family member’s death. |
| Air Canada | A bereavement policy designed to provide flexibility. | Travel must occur within 10 days of booking and may not exceed 60 days. Eligible fare classes and documentation rules apply. |
| WestJet | Special Econo or EconoFlex bereavement fares. | A WestJet Rewards account is required. Travel must be completed within 30 days and partner-airline flights are excluded. |
Delta Air Lines Bereavement Fares
Delta’s bereavement policy applies to eligible SkyMiles members traveling because of the death or imminent death of an immediate family member. A traveler who is not already a SkyMiles member can enroll before requesting the fare.
Delta requires information such as the deceased person’s name, the traveler’s relationship to that person, and the name and phone number of the funeral home, hospital, or hospice. A doctor’s name may also be requested.
Domestic tickets normally must be purchased and travel must begin within seven days of the death or imminent death. Tickets are available only on qualifying Delta-marketed and Delta-operated flights or Delta Connection flights.
Delta states that promotional fares may be cheaper. Its bereavement policy may still be useful when the traveler values flexibility, because service fees can be waived even though a fare difference may apply.
Alaska Airlines Bereavement Fares
Alaska Airlines publishes a bereavement discount for qualifying passengers who need to travel within the next seven days because of an immediate family member’s death.
The published benefit is 10% off the lowest available fare for the desired qualifying flight. Because the discount is tied to the fare available at the time of booking, the final price still depends on the route, date, remaining seats, and applicable taxes or fees.
Air Canada Bereavement Travel
Air Canada’s bereavement policy covers travel caused by the death or imminent death of an immediate family member.
The policy applies to eligible Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada Express, and qualifying codeshare itineraries. It covers selected Economy fare categories. Economy Basic tickets within North America are excluded.
Travel must occur within 10 days of booking and the full trip may not exceed 60 days. Air Canada requires the traveler to call before booking. Supporting documents must then be emailed within seven days after returning from the trip.
Accepted proof may include a death certificate, funeral director’s statement, coroner’s statement, government registration of death, or a physician’s letter describing an imminent-death situation. Failure to submit the required proof can result in collection of the regular fare difference.
WestJet Bereavement Fares
WestJet offers bereavement fares for travelers dealing with a death or imminent death in their family.
The fare must be booked by phone and is available only in the Econo and EconoFlex categories. UltraBasic, Member Exclusive, Premium, and Business fares are excluded. A WestJet Rewards account is required, and the special fare cannot be used for partner-airline flights or WestJet Vacations packages.
Both outbound and return travel must be completed within 30 days of booking. WestJet also warns that its bereavement fare may not be the lowest price available, although it may provide more flexibility for last-minute changes or cancellations.
Warning: Do not buy a regular ticket and assume the airline will convert it to a bereavement fare afterward. Most special fares must be requested and ticketed through an airline representative before purchase.
What a Bereavement Fare May—and May Not—Save
A bereavement fare can help in two different ways:
- Lower price: Alaska publishes a percentage discount, while other airlines may quote a special fare based on the route and available inventory.
- Greater flexibility: The airline may waive certain service or change fees, offer a more flexible fare category, or allow changes under less restrictive conditions.
However, a bereavement fare does not usually remove every cost. The traveler may still owe:
- A fare difference when changing flights.
- Taxes and government fees.
- Checked-baggage fees.
- Seat-selection charges.
- Charges for partner flights or excluded fare categories.
A low public fare can therefore beat a bereavement quote when the traveler is certain about the itinerary. A more expensive flexible fare may be better when funeral dates, hospital circumstances, or return plans could change.
Pro Tip: Before calling, take a screenshot of the airline’s lowest public fare for the same flights. Ask the representative to compare the total bereavement price, baggage rules, refundability, and change terms with that online option.
Alternatives When No Bereavement Fare Is Available
Many airlines do not publish a special bereavement program. That does not mean the traveler has no options. Compare the full cost and restrictions of the following choices.
Flexible or Refundable Tickets
A flexible ticket may cost more at booking but reduce the risk of losing the ticket value if plans change. Check whether the fare permits cancellation, whether the refund returns to the original payment method or becomes a travel credit, and whether a fare difference applies.
Airline Miles and Credit-Card Points
Available rewards can reduce the cash required for an emergency ticket. Before transferring points, confirm that an award seat is available and compare its taxes, cancellation terms, and transfer time with a cash ticket.
A transfer from a bank program to an airline is commonly irreversible. Do not move points until the airline’s award space and required mileage have been confirmed.
Nearby Airports and Mixed One-Way Tickets
Check airports within a reasonable driving distance of both the departure point and destination. Two one-way tickets on different airlines can sometimes cost less than a last-minute round trip, although separate tickets create more risk if a connection is missed.
Different Departure Times
Early-morning, late-evening, and midweek flights may have different prices. Search the day before and the day after the preferred date when the family schedule allows it.
Existing Travel Insurance or Card Benefits
An existing travel-insurance plan may cover cancellation or interruption when a family member’s death or qualifying illness meets the policy definition. Coverage depends on the plan’s list of covered reasons, exclusions, covered-family definition, and documentation requirements.
Do not buy a new policy after the emergency and assume it will cover the known event. Guidance from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners explains that each policy sets its own covered situations and limits. Foreseeable or already-known events are commonly excluded.
How to Book Bereavement Travel
1. Search the Regular Fare First
Use the airline’s website to identify practical flight numbers, departure times, baggage needs, and the lowest public fare. Record the complete price rather than only the base fare.
2. Check the Airline’s Official Policy
Confirm that the airline publishes a bereavement program and that the route, travel dates, family relationship, and operating carrier appear eligible.
3. Gather the Required Information
Have as much of the following information available as possible:
- The passenger’s full name and loyalty-program number, if required.
- The deceased or seriously ill person’s full name.
- The passenger’s relationship to that person.
- The hospital, hospice, funeral home, or memorial provider’s name.
- A phone number and address for the relevant facility.
- The attending physician’s name when applicable.
- The funeral, memorial, or service date.
- A death certificate, physician’s letter, funeral statement, coroner’s statement, or government death registration if required.
4. Contact the Airline Before Purchasing
Call reservations or use the airline’s official messaging service. Explain that the trip involves a death or imminent death in the immediate family and that you want to compare the bereavement fare with the lowest public fare.
5. Ask for the Complete Terms
Before paying, ask the representative:
- What is the total price including taxes and fees?
- Is this lower than the regular fare shown online?
- What happens if the outbound or return date changes?
- Will a fare difference apply?
- Is any part of the ticket refundable?
- Are partner-operated flights excluded?
- Which family relationships qualify?
- What documents must be submitted and by what deadline?
- What happens if the documents cannot be obtained in time?
6. Record the Confirmation Details
Save the reservation code, ticket number, representative’s name or identification number, call time, quoted conditions, and document-submission instructions. Keep copies of every document and email.
Note: A death certificate may not be available immediately. Some airlines accept funeral-home, hospital, hospice, physician, coroner, or government registration details instead, but the accepted proof and submission deadline vary.
Using the U.S. 24-Hour Booking Rule
For a ticket purchased at least seven days before departure, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 24-hour reservation rule generally requires an airline to offer either:
- A reservation held at the quoted price for 24 hours without payment; or
- A paid reservation that can be canceled within 24 hours for a full refund without penalty.
An airline does not have to offer both choices. The federal rule also does not require free ticket changes, and it does not provide the same protection when the booking is made fewer than seven days before departure.
When the rule applies, the 24-hour period can provide time to contact relatives, verify funeral arrangements, or compare a bereavement quote. Check the airline’s exact policy before completing payment.
Tips for Finding a Better Last-Minute Fare
- Compare the total trip cost: Include bags, seats, airport transportation, and change risk.
- Search one-way tickets: The cheapest outbound and return flights may be sold by different airlines.
- Check nonstop and connecting options: A connection may save money, but it adds disruption risk.
- Use a flexible date search: A difference of several hours or one day can materially change the available fare.
- Look at nearby airports: Include the cost and time of reaching the alternate airport.
- Check points before transferring them: Confirm that the award seat still exists.
- Call the operating airline: A third-party booking site normally cannot apply an airline’s unpublished bereavement policy.
- Avoid missing the first flight: A no-show can cancel the remaining segments and eliminate the ticket’s value under the fare rules.
The Future of Bereavement Fares
Dedicated bereavement fares are likely to remain limited rather than becoming a standard feature at every airline. Current programs increasingly emphasize flexibility, documented eligibility, restricted travel windows, and direct contact with reservations.
Travelers should expect airline policies to change and should verify them each time emergency travel is needed. The most reliable strategy is to compare a current public fare with any special quote, understand the change and refund conditions, and select the option that best matches the family’s uncertain schedule.
Sources
- Delta Air Lines Bereavement Fare Policy — eligibility, documentation, booking, timing, and flexibility rules.
- Alaska Airlines Bereavement Fares — current discount and travel-window information.
- Air Canada Bereavement Travel — eligible fares, travel duration, booking, and proof requirements.
- WestJet Bereavement Fare — eligible fare classes, booking method, loyalty requirement, and 30-day rule.
- U.S. Department of Transportation: Buying a Ticket — the federal 24-hour reservation requirement.
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners: Travel Insurance Guidance — policy limits, covered events, and consumer questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are bereavement fares?
Bereavement fares are special airline tickets or policies for qualifying passengers traveling because an immediate family member has died or, under some policies, is facing imminent death. They may provide a discount, added flexibility, waived service fees, or a combination of these benefits.
Do airlines still offer bereavement fares?
Yes. Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, and WestJet publish bereavement-fare policies. Many other airlines do not advertise a dedicated program, so travelers should check the airline’s official website and contact reservations before purchasing.
Are bereavement fares always cheaper?
No. Delta and WestJet warn that lower public fares may be available. A bereavement fare may be more valuable because of its change or cancellation flexibility rather than because it has the lowest initial price.
Who qualifies as immediate family?
The definition varies by airline. It commonly includes a spouse or domestic partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild. Some policies also include step-relatives, in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Confirm the airline’s exact list before booking.
What proof is required for a bereavement fare?
An airline may request the deceased person’s name, the traveler’s relationship to that person, and contact information for a funeral home, hospital, hospice, or physician. Some policies require a death certificate, funeral statement, coroner’s statement, government registration, or physician’s letter.
Can I request a bereavement discount after buying a ticket?
Usually not. Dedicated bereavement fares commonly must be requested through an airline representative before the ticket is issued. Contact the airline first rather than relying on a retroactive adjustment.
Can travel insurance pay for emergency family travel?
An existing policy may cover cancellation or interruption caused by a qualifying family death or illness, depending on its terms. A policy purchased after the event is known generally will not cover that existing event. Review the covered reasons, exclusions, family definition, and documentation rules.
