How come bereavement airfares weren't any cheaper than normal?

[rnmcd]

I tried to find less costly (in other words..."cheap") airfares for a family member that had lost their mother to illness over the weekend.

They had two choices....fly or drive (about 1800 miles). It would have been much more convenient to fly but the bereavement fares were $950 r/t for same-day departure.

Is there any way they could have bought tix cheaper than that? Priceline was about the same price.

Could they have got a deal if they would have walked right up to the ticket counter?

Thank you.

 

[vi edit]

My wife has used them before and got about 2/3 off the "last call" price. The tickets went from ~$1000 to down to ~$325. They are a major PITA to use though. It's a very intrusive process and basically a kick in the junk when you really don't need one(especially if it's a very close friend/family member that passed away).

She used United and had the best luck with them. Others (*cough* Northwestern *cough*) didn't even give her the time of day about them.

 

[Kanalua]

When my brother died, my mom and dad had to come up here (Hawaii to Utah) to help me and another brother bring the deceased back to Hawaii. Everywhere else wanted $900-$1000 for bereavement tickets from Utah to Hawaii or vice versa (mind you, this is around CHristmas time). Delta gave us $500 open ended tickets... It was such a blessing! My parents got $500 tickets to fly from Hawaii to Utah (and back), and my brother and I got $500 tickets to fly from Utah to Hawaii (and back)

Will fly Delta anytime I can now...

 

[rnmcd]

we tried Continental Airlines and they didn't seem to be cooperatable regarding having an open-ended return time.