Few, if any, emotional experiences weigh down upon one as much as losing a loved one. Packing for that faraway place to bury the dead or to be close to immediate ones is even more taxing due to financial arrangements and logistical considerations. All things bereavement fare will be discussed: how it works, who qualifies, and whether it is something to be entertained when under duress.

What Are Bereavement Fares?

Bereavement fares are specially discounted fares offered by airlines, particularly for passengers who travel for the death of a relative and, by extension, for the imminent death. To absorb the unexpected expense of an urgent trip, they are to be obtained. Mostly, this includes both domestic and international flights for passengers going either to or out of a particular location for a funeral or memorial service or to be with family facing emergencies regarding their health.

Qualifying for these fares is not always that simple. Documentation in different forms is required of airlines regarding an eligible trip associated with either the death or impending loss of a relative; this calls into question whether someone would even bother to think of a fare-specific airline, some of which do not offer it altogether.

Overview of Delta Airlines Bereavement Fares

Being one of the bigger carriers in the United States, Delta Airlines bereavement fares, but with the caveat being that more specifications exist than just calling the airline and setting your reservation over the phone on bereavement grounds. A summary of how this works within Delta should be noted next:

1. Considerations About Qualifications for the Bereavement Fare

In order to obtain discounted travel for bereavement fare with Delta, certain restrictions apply. First and foremost, the traveler must be the immediate family member of the deceased or critically ill person. Family members would include:

Parents

Siblings

Spouse

Children

Grandparents

In certain cases, in-laws.

Now, if you are not an immediate family member, Delta may not outright refuse the booking of a bereavement fare; however, it may be more complicated, and perhaps some discounts may be harder to come by. 

2. The Booking System

Contrary to regular tickets, which in most cases may be booked through the Internet or through any agency, bereavement tickets cannot be purchased on the Delta website or through a third party. An agent must be contacted directly with a detailed explanation of your situation so that they may assist in the booking process.

The full procedure in detail for getting your bereavement fare through Delta is as follows: 

Call Delta Customer Service: Call the toll-free number or use the special bereavement line. 

Confirm the Fare: This means confirming the fare with the representative after settling on a flight. In some cases, that representative may even be able to offer a better price; know that this is done case-by-case.

3. Discounts and Fare Structure

Normally bereavement fares amount to a 5-10% discount from the normal ticket price. The discount does not seem to amount to much; nevertheless, it helps during the hardest of times. Nevertheless, there are more restrictions attached to it, such as changing and cancellation laws, which may determine the class of seats as well as premium services that you can select. 

As important as it is, just remember that the existence of bereavement fares depends on the route and travel dates in question. A general rule of thumb is that last-minute flights tend to give less of a discount than those that are done in advance, especially in the case of international travel. 

4. Changes or Canceling of Funeral Fare Ticket

On bereavement fare tickets, should the need arise to effect flight change, bear in mind that such tickets are all the more rigid. Changes may well be allowed only with some fee being charged by Delta. 

5. Are There Refunds for Bereavement Fares from Delta?

A rule states that bereavement tickets are generally not refundable, meaning that if the trip was canceled by you after souvenirs were bought, no cash will be refunded. However, if for some reason an unforeseen circumstance demands the annulment of that ticket, Delta will allow for flight transfer at slight ease along stipulations and designations.

Are These Fare Discounts Still Desirable?

While such a benefit may be in providing relief from any financial pressures, it may still essentially be an option that denies one all worth. Below are some of the tips to use toward making this choice:

Price Trends: Sometimes due to their offers, even regular tickets may be less expensive than the bereavement fare. Hence, make it a mark to check the rates for tickets offered by other competitors on the Delta website or any agency options.

Head Another Way: In the past, more rule flexibility has come with many airlines, including Delta, for those last-minute travelers without resorting to any kind of special bereavement discount. Do check if they have any sales, seat sales, flexible fares, etc.

Airline Partners: If you can accept a potential switch to another airline, check to see what flights are available on Delta’s partners in the Sky Team Alliance, as another option to bury the crime of bereavement fare.