If you have to rush to the bedside of a terminally ill relative, you may find last minute airfare costs more than your most extravagant budget allows. That doesn't mean you should give up on the chance to see someone for the last time. Some airlines will sell you a ticket with a flexible return date at a reduced emergency fare as long as you are an immediate family member and can prove your circumstances. Other airlines may only offer flexible return dates on a full-price fare.
Call your sick relative or the primary caregiver and collect the following information: the full name of your sick relative; the name and phone number of the hospital where your relative is staying; and the name and phone number of your relative's attending physician.
Check online for last minute discount fares. You may be able to find a better deal than a bereavement fare. If not, you should get a general idea of prices before calling the airlines.
Call your preferred airline directly to see if the company offers emergency airfare. As of April 2010, United Airlines (800-241-6522) and American Airlines (800-433-7300) do. Delta Airlines (800-225-2525) offers bereavement tickets that are refundable and have flexible return dates. Delta does not reduce fares for family emergencies, but these options can save you money against buying a regular open-ended ticket. Explain the situation to your airline representative and provide her with the information you collected in Step 1.
