Which Airlines Offer Bereavement Fares? A Complete 2025 Guide
A comprehensive overview of airlines granting discounted bereavement fares in 2025, policy details, booking tips, and frequently asked questions.
Airlines Offering Bereavement Fares in 2025: Everything You Need to Know
In times of loss, the need for swift and affordable travel becomes crucial. Many airlines once provided substantial bereavement fares—special, discounted tickets for travelers dealing with the death or imminent death of a close family member. As fare structures and airline priorities have shifted, however, these compassionate rates have become rarer, with fewer carriers offering bereavement-specific discounts. If you are searching for last-minute travel due to a bereavement in 2025, knowing where to look, what to expect, and how to qualify is essential. This guide provides detailed, up-to-date information on which airlines currently offer bereavement fares, the specifics of their policies, and how to book such fares, along with tips and alternatives if no discounts are available.
What Is a Bereavement Fare?
A bereavement fare is a discounted airfare or a flexible ticketing option provided by certain airlines for passengers traveling due to the death or imminent death of an immediate family member. These fares are designed to ease the difficulty of last-minute travel that often accompanies such situations. Eligibility, discount amounts, and required documentation vary by airline, and not all carriers maintain a bereavement policy in 2025.
Which Airlines Offer Bereavement Fares in 2025?
Among North American airlines, only a select few still offer official bereavement fares. Others may provide flexible options or help customers find the lowest available last-minute rates. Below are the main airlines with current bereavement fare policies, as well as details for those who no longer provide them.
| Airline | Bereavement Fare? | Discount/Flexibility | Booking Method | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | Yes | Discounted fares on select classes, up to 60-day return allowed | Phone | Immediate family; proof required |
| Alaska Airlines | Yes | 10% off lowest available fare | Phone (not online) | Immediate family; proof required; Mileage Plan membership generally needed |
| Delta Air Lines | Yes | Flexible fares for SkyMiles members, domestic and international | Phone or message Delta | Immediate family; death or imminent death; documentation required |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Partially | Waives change and cancellation fees for inter-island travel | Phone | Immediate family; documentation |
| WestJet | Yes | Discount on Econo/Econo Flex, post-travel request possible | Phone | Family, line-of-duty service deaths; proof needed, must be a WestJet Rewards member |
| United Airlines | No longer | May locate lowest last-minute fare via phone | Phone | N/A |
| American Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest | No | No bereavement fare; standard fares apply | Standard booking channels | N/A |
Detailed Airline Bereavement Fare Policies (2025)
Air Canada
- Coverage: Discounts available for Economy Standard, Flex, Comfort, Latitude classes (not Economy Basic within North America or after travel has commenced).
- Timeframe: Travel must begin within 10 days of booking; return permitted within 60 days—more generous than most competitors.
- Documentation: Provide details of the relationship, proof of death or imminent death (death certificate, physician’s letter, funeral director’s statement, etc.) either by phone during booking or via email within 7 days.
- Booking method: Must call Air Canada at 1-888-247-2262. Retrospective fare adjustment possible (if booked within last 90 days).
Air Canada’s policy is considered the most flexible among major carriers, with the longest time horizon and potential for a 60-day trip window, accommodating those who need to remain for family or estate matters.
Alaska Airlines
- Discount: 10% off the lowest available fare for travel within 7 days of booking.
- Eligibility: Immediate family members, including extended relatives (aunts/uncles, nieces/nephews) per Alaska’s broader policy. Adult travelers generally must be Mileage Plan members.
- Documentation: Call 1-800-252-7522 (cannot book online); be prepared to provide details and verification of the bereavement situation.
- Restrictions: Cannot be combined with other promotions or mileage discounts. Each case is handled individually.
Before calling, it’s advised to research all possible fares online, as occasionally standard sales or web fares could beat the bereavement discount, which applies to the lowest fare available for your date.
Delta Air Lines
- Who qualifies: SkyMiles members (free membership); immediate family bereavement (death or imminent death).
- Coverage: Discounts for both domestic and international travel. Flexibility is prioritized over absolute lowest price, allowing changes to tickets without penalty in many cases.
- Booking method: Call Delta Reservations at 1-800-221-1212 (domestic) or 1-800-241-4141 (international), or message Delta online.
- Documentation: Details and proof regarding family relation and bereavement must be provided. Supporting documents are required during the booking process.
Delta’s bereavement fares offer flexibility—open-ended travel, easy change/cancel options—but may not always be the absolute cheapest. Always compare with non-bereavement fares for your travel window.
Hawaiian Airlines
- Applicability: Only valid for travel between islands within Hawaii, not for travel from/to the mainland or internationally.
- Benefits: Standard fares apply, but change or cancellation fees may be waived for family emergencies. Refund eligibility is considered on compassionate grounds.
- Booking: Call 1-800-367-5320 and be ready to submit supporting documentation.
Travelers based outside Hawaii should note that this benefit is limited to inter-island flights, reflecting a more regional scope due to Hawaiian Airlines’ network.
WestJet
- Fare type: Discount applies to Econo and Econo Flex fares (not Premium). Travel must be completed within 30 days of booking.
- Eligibility: Available to WestJet Rewards members. Covers immediate and some extended family members. Special provision: also includes civic funeral fares for those attending funerals of first responders, military, or emergency services personnel who died in the line of duty.
- Booking: Call 1-888-937-8538. Post-travel fare adjustment option available if you complete an online form after your trip.
- Documentation: Proof of bereavement (funeral home notice, obituary, or statement from a hospital or funeral director) required.
- Flexibility: Offers more flexibility, such as discounts post-travel and easier changes or cancellations compared to many airlines.
Legacy and U.S. Airlines Without Bereavement Fares in 2025
- United Airlines: No official bereavement fares. May assist by helping callers find the lowest last-minute fares, but discounts are not guaranteed. Always call United’s reservations (1-800-864-8331) for assistance; sometimes agents can advise on the lowest available options.
- American Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest: These U.S. carriers discontinued bereavement fares in recent years. No additional discounts are available for bereavement-related travel; all customers pay regular rates for last-minute tickets.
Eligibility: Who Qualifies for Bereavement Fares?
Bereavement fares are generally limited to travel involving the death or imminent death of an immediate family member. Each airline defines immediate family differently, but it most often includes:
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Parents, stepparents, foster parents, guardians
- Children (biological, adopted, stepchildren, foster children)
- Brothers and sisters (including half, step, or adoptive)
- Grandparents and grandchildren
- In-laws (varies by airline)
Some airlines—most notably Alaska and WestJet—extend their definition to cover aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Civic funeral policies (offered by WestJet) may apply to those traveling to the funeral of first responders, military, or emergency service members who have died in duty.
Documentation requirements may include:
- Death certificate or coroner’s statement
- Funeral director’s letter or statement
- Obituary, hospital letter or attending physician’s letter for cases of imminent death
- Evidence of family relationship (birth or marriage certificate, etc.)
Policies vary, and you should always check with the airline and have documents ready prior to booking.
Booking Bereavement Fares: Steps and Tips
Booking a bereavement fare is rarely automatic or available online. To access special rates or flexibility:
- Contact the airline directly by phone: Web and app bookings are not eligible for bereavement fares on any current carrier.
- Have documentation prepared: Personal identification and documents proving the nature of your emergency (see above).
- Be ready to explain your situation: Be direct but concise. Include deceased’s/ill person’s name, location (hospital or funeral home), relationship, and event date.
- Compare all fares before booking: Sometimes, the bereavement rate is no better than a basic last-minute fare found online. Ask the agent to compare options.
Once approved and booked, confirm the requirements for any post-flight documentation or claims if a refund or additional flexibility is part of the policy (especially for Air Canada and WestJet).
Do Bereavement Fares Always Offer Savings?
Bereavement fares do not always guarantee the lowest possible ticket price. While they offer flexibility in ticket changes or cancellations and sometimes a percentage discount, they are typically calculated from the published last-minute fare, which can be much higher than advance-purchase rates or online deals. Therefore:
- Shop Around: Always check online aggregators, airline sites, and discount providers before calling about bereavement fares.
- Balance Price and Flexibility: If your plans may change, a bereavement fare’s waivers on change/cancel fees could save you money overall, despite a higher upfront cost.
- Ask airlines to match or beat other fares: Some agents may price-match or suggest alternatives if you mention a lower fare found elsewhere.
Alternatives If Bereavement Fares Are Not Available
As bereavement fares become less common, consider these alternatives for urgent, last-minute travel:
- Flexible Fares: Look for refundable or “flex” fares directly on the airline’s website. These can sometimes be changed or canceled for a fee.
- Fare Aggregators and Alerts: Use travel search engines like Skyscanner, Google Flights, or Expedia for comparisons. Set up alerts for sudden price drops.
- Credit Card Points or Miles: Many credit card reward programs allow last-minute redemptions for flights with no blackout dates, though point requirements are often higher for immediate travel.
- Contact Customer Service: Even when no official bereavement fare is offered, call the airline directly. Agents can sometimes override fare restrictions or offer advice on the cheapest or most flexible option.
- Consider Nearby Airports: Being flexible with your departure or destination can lower costs substantially, especially with last-minute searches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What documents do airlines require for bereavement fares?
A: Most airlines require a death certificate, hospital/physician’s letter (for imminent death), funeral notice, or obituary. You’ll also need to prove your relationship to the deceased or ill person. Always check the airline’s official requirements before calling.
Q: Are bereavement fares always cheaper than standard fares?
A: No, not always. Sometimes standard last-minute prices or online deals can be lower. Bereavement fares, however, typically offer greater flexibility with changes/cancellations which could help if plans are uncertain.
Q: Do all immediate family members qualify for these fares?
A: Not automatically. It depends on the airline’s policy and definition of “immediate family.” Some extend eligibility to in-laws, step-relatives, or even cousins, while others limit it to close kin. Be sure to clarify this when inquiring.
Q: Can bereavement fares be booked online?
A: No. All current airlines offering bereavement rates require travelers to call customer service to request and explain their situation.
Q: Do bereavement policies apply to international flights?
A: Some airlines, such as Air Canada and Delta, include international travel in their bereavement policies. Alaska Airlines and WestJet limit discounts to their own network destinations, which may include international routes. Always clarify with an agent.
Q: What if I submit documentation after my trip?
A: Air Canada and WestJet may permit post-travel review for bereavement claims under specific timelines. You must have booked within the eligibility windows and follow up according to the airline’s policy.
Tips for Managing Last-Minute Bereavement Travel
- Have all documents scanned or photographed for easy emailing as airlines often ask for digital copies.
- Be prepared to make multiple calls, as proof may take time to verify or additional documents may be requested.
- When possible, compare costs between bereavement fares and published rates; don’t assume bereavement discounts always provide the best deal.
- Record every booking confirmation and correspondence in case you need to appeal or submit an after-the-fact refund/review.
- If you belong to a frequent-flyer program, ask about mileage redemptions—sometimes these require fewer points for emergency travel.
Summary: The Changing Landscape of Bereavement Fares
Bereavement fares, once standard among many carriers, are now offered by a small (but important) set of airlines in 2025: primarily Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Delta, WestJet, and (for Hawaii-only travel) Hawaiian Airlines. While these special fares can offer discounted travel and—particularly—valuable flexibility at times when plans may unexpectedly change, travelers should always compare against posted rates to ensure they’re receiving true value. When official bereavement fares are unavailable, there are still strategies that can help ease the logistical and financial strain of sudden travel. Always contact airlines directly, document your circumstances, and research all booking paths to optimize both cost and convenience.
