Omegous From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 293 posts, RR: 2 Posted (11 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 1635 times:
I am helping my dad get some air fares for a flight back to Milwaukee this weekend under sad circumstances. My grandfather (his father) choked to death this morning and they are having services this weekend.
So, I know it won't be cheap, but what fares/airlines might I be looking at for this weekend between LAS and Milwaukee.
Friday most likey mid day and come back sunday night.
He is trying to see if he can get inexpensive fares (As money is tight) but since the occasion is not one we can be picky, what might there be available and what might we be looking at price wise (also in case I need to withdraw money to help pay for the cost).
Cba From United States of America, joined Jul 2000, 4530 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (11 years 3 months 3 weeks ago) and read 1511 times:
Don't fly Delta, you'll get gouged big time. When my grandfather died, we payed something like $700 per ticket on a HOU-CVG rountrip, and that was with the bareivement discount.
BWIrwy4 From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 940 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (11 years 3 months 3 weeks ago) and read 1490 times:
I've done some searching for you. ATA is the cheapest at $437. Continental is next at $630. Midwest Express and Northwest both charge $670, and United costs $685. Remember, these aren't bereavement fares, but just what I could pull off of each airline's website, so you should be able to set them cheaper. I'm sorry to hear this news about your grandfather.
BWIrwy4 From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 940 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (11 years 3 months 3 weeks ago) and read 1477 times:
I agree with Cba. Don't fly Delta. On this route, they're charging over $1600, so I don't want to even think about what that fare would look like after the bereavement discount.
Scottb From United States of America, joined Jul 2000, 6358 posts, RR: 34 Reply 8, posted (11 years 3 months 3 weeks ago) and read 1460 times:
You might also consider flying to and from Chicago Midway - this would add some road travel time in both directions, of course, but drops the cost on ATA down to $400. Flying from MDW to MKE doesn't really save a whole lot of time given the amount of layover time at MDW.
Cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7702 posts, RR: 55 Reply 9, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 1400 times:
Midwest Express offer business class service (2-2 seating in the DC9 / MD80) and in times of trouble it's nice to know you'll be looked after by professionals, with some nice personal attention and a decent (indeed gourmet) meal. With Milwaukee being Midex's hometown, delays are unlikely. They're the best domestic airline in the US by far.
PS Very sad news, my Mum passed away a few weeks ago, nothing much anyone can say to make it any easier, but I wish you and your family all the best. Take care, Charlie.
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
Zeus01 From United States of America, joined May 2001, 744 posts, RR: 2 Reply 10, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 1405 times:
Omegeous, I too was under these circumstances as my Grandmother was put in a ICU in March and we had to go down immediatly to watch her in her finaly hours. I called several different airlines, and some atually didn't offer special fares, BUT, United (which I dislike) was very nice about it giving us a berevement fare which had no restricitons on it. But it still was a little high, but better than most airlines. Try United or even NWA had one too.
AmtrakGuy From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 500 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 1377 times:
Yes..call the airlines...when my father passed away few years ago, I had to go to Miami from Washington (National). USAirways gave me about 200.00 roundtrip -- normal for last minute fare (when I flew out the next morning) could have cost me about $1000.00 RT. One of the nice thing about USAirways is that I wasn't sure when I was coming back, so the agent booked me a date at least one and half week later...and by the time I was ready to come back, I called and changed the date without any penalty or fees.
The only thing you will need to get the funeral home phone number or whoever is handling your grandfather. USAirways did called father's funeral home to confirm it.
I'm pretty sure most airlines will offer bermement fares.
Goingboeing From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 4875 posts, RR: 19 Reply 12, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1374 times:
When my dad passed away last July, AA gave us a bereavement fare of $250 round trip between MCI and DFW. THe tickets were fully changeable and non restricted. That's about half the walk up fare. Ask the reservations agent about bereavement fares. They'll ask for a doctors name or some other form verification, but they don't hassle you about it.
EA CO AS From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 12557 posts, RR: 64 Reply 13, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1353 times:
Omegous, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. It's too bad you couldn't be flying under more pleasant circumstances.
Check the individual airlines' websites, as many of them offer special last-minute fares (far below their normal cost) for booking online only. Another option would be to call the different airlines' reservations 800 numbers and asking if they offer a reduced-rate bereavement fare. Most do, although it's typically a reduction off of their unrestricted last-minute published rates, which are quite high.
Just a question, though...why does everyone feel that airlines are mean for not automatically giving people a break on a last-minute airfare because of an emergency or a death in the family? No other businesses do this!
Can you imagine asking the manager of Macy's to give you 50% off on the price of a suit because you're wearing it to a funeral?
"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem - government IS the problem." - Ronald Reagan
Ec From United States of America, joined Dec 2000, 81 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1350 times:
Best I could find was $680 on AWA connect through PHX. They usually are helpful in bereavement situations.
SJCguy From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 579 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 1340 times:
Sorry about your loss...
I have a buddy pass you could have on SW, although we don't fly to Milwaukee so it would do you no good...good luck.
Mls515 From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 3069 posts, RR: 9 Reply 16, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 1328 times:
Hotwire.com can set you up roundtrip LAS-MKE this Friday through Monday for $304 round trip. Friday through Sunday also for $304 round trip. This is after the taxes and fees and stuff have been included.
The only catch is that they don't disclose the airline or flight times until after you purchase. Although I did use the 'Red-eye: Not OK' search option.
If you're flexible to the day that you can travel, Hotwire.com is pretty good. Otherwise, it looks like BWIrwy4 checked Orbitz.com for you. For last minute, those don't seem too bad.
BWIrwy4 From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 940 posts, RR: 1 Reply 17, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 1311 times:
I didn't do Orbitz. I just went on to each airline's individual website and typed in the information. I figured the individual websites would give lower prices compared to Orbitz (middleman markup) but I guess they're both identical.
PanAm747 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 4242 posts, RR: 10 Reply 18, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 1307 times:
No, individuakl websites have the highest fares in my opinion.
Try orbitz, or hotwire.
Pan Am:The World's Most Experienced Airline - P(oor) S(ailor's) A(irline): San Diego's Hometown Airline-Catch Our Smile!
Goingboeing From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 4875 posts, RR: 19 Reply 19, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 1299 times:
Orbitz did some great marketing, but the fact is that the lowest airfares can be found on the airlines website. They don't have a middleman to pay a commission, they don't have an agent to pay a salary, and many will offer at least 10% lower fares than what you find on the other travel sites.
Omegous From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 293 posts, RR: 2 Reply 20, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 1278 times:
We really want to go direct to MKE, and MWE is less than $1000 a passenger (!!!!).
We are looking at leaving friday the 1st anytime, and coming back monday the 4th.
Does MWE offer any kind of bereavement fare? This is really the way we want to go, as all the other options, are really not good, even WN which goes to Midway (we could rent a car, but the cost difference in the amount of driving would make up the difference of just flying to MKE direct).
My dad is going to call MWE and other airlines. He did call NWA, but they said he had to have a death certificate?!?! He died today!!
A330300 From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 172 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 1275 times:
Have you tried Priceline? There is a $25 bonus that expires tomorrow, check out www.biddingfortravel.com
If you need help on how much to bid, post at this specific board @ that site and someone will help you ASAP:
Omegous From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 293 posts, RR: 2 Reply 22, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 1252 times:
I appreciate all the help and information I am recieving.
We have pretty much narrowed it down to MWE or ATA...we may again pay more for MWE just to get in faster. ATA offers a lower fare, however.
Even though this is a sad occasion, I always try to find good things in bad situations.
My airplane side - If I fly ATA, I most likely will be in their NEW 738 (do these have winglets?) and 753 aircraft...new on both of those for me. And if we go MWE, we will get meals.
What kind of service does ATA offer? Any good? Comfortable? It doesn't help going to a funeral, only to be crammed in a 3 hour flight...
Omegous From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 293 posts, RR: 2 Reply 23, posted (11 years 3 months 2 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 1196 times:
Alright, we ordered tickets through Continental. LAS-IAH-MKE and then vice versa. They offered a good deal on a fare for our family, so we decided on them.
Many thanks to everyone for helping me get some information and find a reasonable fare for this sad occasion.
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