Disappointed by Midwest's Bereavement Fare Policy

I am sorry for your loss. I never thought that bereavement fares
where cheaper I just thought that they were guaranteed. In other
words if you are flying on a bereavment fare and the flight is
overbooked the airline can not BUMP you.

On the flip side I once had a co-worker who would go to different
airlines (long long time ago) and tell them that her parents were
killed in an accident at whatever tropical location she wanted to go
that week, it made me sick--not saying that this is what your are
doing I believe you 100%. Unfortunately like GINO likes to call them
there are gimmiesmootchers out there who will take advantage of
anything they can. Many airlines know this so these fares are not
always the lowest.

Also great info here from Bill R (as always) maybe you can use the
information he provided. Best of luck to you.

Everyone has made excellent points about your letter (which is also
excellent, BTW). Please accept my sympathy for your loss. My parents
had a similar experience years ago on Continental when my mother's
father passed, and they had to spend an outrageous amount of money to
get to Florida. My father contacted the airline after the ordeal was
over, and he did get some satisfaction. And trust me, he wasn't nearly
as polite about it as you are, LOL. So I hope your letter gets you
results.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their responses so far. I also
wanted to extend my condolences to those who have posted that they,
too have experienced the loss of a loved one recently. I consider
myself to be quite lucky in the regard that I did not experience the
death of a loved one until I was 29, and I can't imagine how this pain
feels to my younger sister and cousins, who range in age from 23 down
to 14. While I was lucky to have my Grandma for such a lage portion
of my life, burying her was by far the hardest thing I've ever had to
do, and my heart goes out to each of you.

To answer a question, I have not yet heard from Midwest - but this was
to be expected. I wrote the letter on a Saturday night, and today is
only Sunday. I would imagine that the department responsible for
responding to such letters works Monday-Friday. Especially with all
the recent restictions on carry-on bags, I would imagine that they
have people to contend with who are far more upset than I (despite the
fact that it's not Midwest's fault), and I'm anticipating waiting a
week or two for a response. With what I've been through recently, an
immediate response from Midwest is pretty far down on my list
of things to worry about. I have the capacity to be rather
high-maintenance from time to time, as we all do, but I also
understand that the world does not revolve around me - nor should it.

But I do expect to get a response, because as I said in my
letter, they have wonderful customer service and I'm confident that my
letter will not go unanswered. I will certainly update everyone when
it happens.

Family Emergencies - Bereavement Airfares
From Arlene Fleming,
Your Guide to Air Travel.
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Air Travel for Funerals / Serious Illness
In times of emergency when you have to fly for a family funeral, or to
see a terminally ill relative, shopping around for airfares is
probably the last thing you want to think about. Many airlines have an
answer for this - the bereavement fare, or compassionate fare, which
is offered to family members traveling for a death in the family, or
imminent death.
So what should one know about bereavement fares?

They are not always the lowest fare, but are last minute fares that
can be booked right up until departure time.
They are offered for family members traveling to a funeral.
They can also be offered for family members in the case of imminent
death, where a family member is gravely ill.
Bereavement fares usually entail a discount off of a full fare
(unrestricted fare), and are often more expensive than the cost you
would pay for a seat sale ticket.
Bereavement fares tend to be very flexible, permitting free changes
and stays of up to 30 days with no minimum stay requirements.
You can usually secure the discount prior to travel if you provide the
required information. A few airlines will only refund the value of the
discount after travel is completed. However, all airlines that offer
bereavement fares will allow you to apply for a refund after travel is
completed (usually you must apply for a refund within 90 days after
completion of all flights, along with the required documentation).
Discounts range from 10 to 75 percent off of full fare prices. The
discount most often offered is 50 percent off of full fare.
Discounts usually apply for one airline only. In effect, if you need
more than one airline to get to where you need to go, you will need to
buy separate tickets and ask about each airline's policy.
Bereavement fares may not be available to all destinations offered by
an airline. There are less bereavement fares offered for traveling
internationally.
Where bereavement fares are offered for international travel, the
value of the discount may only be given upon return with death
certificate because information is harder to verify. Bereavement fares
for imminent death in the case of international travel are less common
because of the difficulty for the airline to verify information.
Bereavement fares are offered over the phone or in person at the
airline's ticket counters. The information that you are required to
provide in order to secure a bereavement fare is outlined on the next
two pages.
A bereavement fare is not always the lowest fare available, if you are
able to have flexibility in terms of your travel times and dates then
ask first if a seat sale fare is available and applies to you travel
plans. In larger travel markets it can be useful to have a travel
agent who can call around and find the best options for fare and
flights.
Next Page - Bereavement fares for Imminent death
Bereavement Fares for Imminent Death
If you have a close relative who is terminally ill, and the
possibility of death seems near, then you may qualify for a
bereavement fare based on imminent death. Because you are not
traveling for a funeral, it is common for information demonstrating
that it is a case of imminent death be required prior to travel. Less
often, you will be allowed to submit documentation after travel is
completed, unless it turns into a situation where you end up attending
his/her funeral.
What information does the airline require for a bereavement fare
(imminent death)?

The name of the person who is ill
Your relationship to that person
The name, address and phone number of the hospital or health care
facility
The name and phone number of the attending physician
Who is eligible for a bereavement fare? Parents and grandparents
(including step-parents and in-laws), spouse, children, aunts/uncles,
siblings (including step-siblings/in-laws), nieces/nephews.
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Most airlines (but not all) also include same sex domestic partners
and legal guardians as eligible family members.
What do I do if I am already traveling on another ticket and need to
return? Most airlines will offer free standby (as long as you provide
the information outlined above), but cannot guarantee space for you,
so that you can return.

Can I use my frequent flyer points instead of purchasing a ticket?
Most airlines that offer bereavement fares will waive last minute
restrictions and book as long as there is frequent flyer space
available for the flights, and provided you give the airline the
information outlined above.


Traveling for a Death in the Family
Traveling due to a death in the family is the more common use of
bereavement fares.
What information does the airline require for a bereavement fare
(death in the family)?

The name of the deceased
Your relationship to that person
The name, address and phone number funeral home
Date of the service
A copy of the death certificate (when you are submitting for a refund
after completing air travel)
Who is eligible for a bereavement fare? Parents and grandparents
(including step-parents and in-laws), spouse, children, aunts/uncles,
siblings (including step-siblings/in-laws), nieces/nephews. Most
airlines (but not all) also include same sex domestic partners and
legal guardians as eligible family members.
What do I do if I am already traveling on another ticket and need to
return? Most airlines will offer free standby (as long as you provide
the information outlined above), but cannot guarantee space for you,
so that you can return.

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Can I use my frequent flyer points instead of purchasing a ticket?
Most airlines that offer bereavement fares will waive last minute
restrictions and book as long as there is frequent flyer space
available for the flights, and provided you give the airline the
information outlined above.

How can I obtain a refund for the value of the discount after
completion of travel (domestic or international travel)? Sometimes you
may not be able to get all of the above details before you travel.
Hold onto receipts, boarding passes, and obtain a copy of the death
certificate and provide the details mentioned above. Submit these
items to the airline as soon as possible after you have completed
travel (many airlines have time limits for obtaining refunds). Keep a
photocopy of the items that you have given to the airline.

Not all airlines provide bereavement fares. Again, bereavement fares
are not always the least expensive option out there, but quite often
they are. If you are applying for a refund after completing your
travel, do make sure that the airline you are using does offer a
bereavement fare prior to travel. Bereavement fares exist to offer you
travel options for when you need to travel at the last minute because
of imminent death or a death in the family.

I'm sorry about your Grandma. Your letter is terrific. Have you heard
anything from them?

My condolences on your loss. I think your letter is well done and well
within reason for this airline (and others) to make certain exceptions
to the rule. It's not like you're asking for first class
accomodations, it's just when a tragedy hits such as this, the only
thing that matters is getting to be with your family, your support
system. Letting Go is hard enough and this treatment even adds to your
burden. After having had such good services in the past, I would feel
taken advantage of and justified to feel that way.
Why has it come to this? And what for? Companies need to know that
they are dealing with real people and not just the best way to make
money while filling seats.
At any rate, I wish you healing and comfort, support and good memories
to pull you through.Sorry this happened to such a caring
person.(thinking of others at a time like this)

Hopefully knowing others care and maybe, just maybe once, this policy
can be changed to help others with the same experience.
Please let some time pass and come back and update us on any responses
you get. A lot of us base our consumer decisions on other's
experiences with companies. And believe it or not, we DO care about
people and how their concerns are or are not addressed.

Again, I wish you well.

My condolences on your loss . . . my mother recently passed away and I
can tell you that Jet Blue does not offer bereavement fares . . . I
thought most airlines had dropped them as well. And even though Jet
Blue is fairly inexpensive, when you book last minute, the fares are
pretty high

I've never experienced a bereavement fare. What I'm having trouble
understanding is why, in time of loss, is a rate higher? Is there
something offered additionally like a guaranteed seat that increases
the rate?

I had to go through this in May after the death of my grandfather.
They reported to me on the phone that the bereavement fare is a
discount on the full fare. (About 1/2 of the full fare I believe is
what NWA said). However, hardly ANYONE pays what the actual full fare
is on a normal basis. So, when you hear half off, you think "ok, this
should be not too bad".
In my case, it was over $400 as well with the full fare being over
$800. This is a "fixed" discount and does not move unless there is a
change in policy. Of course, I happened to say no thank you at the
time and did two things.
First, I checked just a normal ticket to where I wanted to go and
guess what, that was less than the bereavement fare. (About $300). I
then checked an airport about an hour away by car and the fare was
only $225. So I did that, and since I was renting a car anyways, it
was extremely affordable.

Did you just assume that the bereavement would be the cheapest? I know
it's too late now, but did you check the prices on orbitz (or
wherever) for a normal ticket? You may have been surprised. I think
that is the big thing that Midwest should have done for you (making
the suggestion to check around).

I am very sorry for your loss.

This is an excellent well written letter. My condolences on your
loss. I belive the reason most airlines charge more for this fare is
because you are allowed to change them with a penalty tacked on. This
is how is was explained to me. I am not saying this is right,
especially since most airlines offer this fair as a "perk". Most
airlines should change their policy, the tickets are almost always
purchased last minute. I hope your letter gets a responce.

I'm sorry for the circumstances that caused you to write this letter,
but if it was within my power, I would stamp it with the PFB Seal of
Approval.

Expressing your satisfaction with prior experiences was a great way to
begin the letter. Then you stated your complaint without causing the
company to become defensive. Also, letting them know you appreciate
bereavement fairs being offered at all was a perfect addition.

Your suggestion for a new policy making bereavement fairs available on
every flight with open seats is very reasonable, and your request for
an explanation for not changing the policy is also within reason.

Your choice of words in the entire letter was excellent.

I have no doubt you will hear from the airline, and hopefully they
will even consider changing the policy.

I'm sorry for your loss.

I don't fly so I don't know policies. I assumed that if it's a
bereavement it applied to all flights. You make a good suggestion.

This is a very good letter. Good luck with it.