Traveling for a Funeral? Alaska Airlines Bereavement Fares!

Losing a loved one is incredibly hard. During this difficult time, travel shouldn’t add to your stress. You might need to fly quickly for a funeral or memorial. Alaska Airlines understands this, and they offer bereavement fares to help you travel when you need it most. This article tells you everything you need to know about Alaska Airlines bereavement fares. 

Here you will know who qualifies for these special fares. You’ll learn what documents you need to show. Also, you will know how to book your flight. It becomes easy to understand the rules. You can find the support you need, and this post will help you focus on what matters most. 

What are Bereavement Fares?

Airlines offer special tickets called “bereavement fares” or “compassion fares.” You get the fare if you need to fly immediately after a close family member dies or is dying. This helps people save money during a sad time. Last-minute flights cost a lot, and these fares make them more affordable.

Key Features

Airlines understand that plans change when someone passes away, so they make these special tickets easier to change or cancel without big fees. 

• The amount you save varies from airline to airline; some offer a percentage discount, and others allow you to book more straightforwardly. 
• You must show the airline proof of the death and your connection to the person who died. 
• You cannot usually book these tickets online; you have to call the airline directly to get them.

Alaska Airlines’ Bereavement Fare Policy

Alaska wants to help you during difficult times. If you lose a close family member, they offer a special discount to make flying easier. Check out how their bereavement fare works:

How Does The Discount Work?

This airline helps you save money by giving you 10% off their cheapest ticket. You have to fly within a week of buying the ticket. You can’t get this deal online; you must call them directly at 1-800-252-7522 to book it.

Who Counts as Close Family?

Alaska Airlines says exactly which family members qualify for the discount. They include your husband or wife, your kids and stepkids, your parents and stepparents, your brothers and sisters (even half or step). It even includes your grandparents and grandkids (including step and great), your aunts and uncles, and your nieces and nephews. They also include your in-laws, like your mother-in-law or brother-in-law. But, they don’t give the discount for cousins or some other relatives by marriage.

Important Rules to Know

The airline gives this special price only when someone dies, not for medical trips. You can use it on Alaska flights and flights they run with Horizon or SkyWest. If you are older than 18, you can join their free Mileage Plan. You must call them to buy a new ticket and get the discount. All the normal ticket rules and fees, even the strict ones, still count. They don’t let you use this discount with other discounts. You can’t use it if you have already started your travel.

Required Documentation

To get the bereavement discount, you must show them papers proving your close family member died. This ensures the discount helps people who really need it. Here’s what they usually ask for.

Proof of Death

You must show them proof that someone died. You can give them a copy of the death certificate. Or, the funeral home can give you a statement. If you need to fly immediately, they might let you send a copy by fax or email first, but you’ll have to give them the original later.

Relationship Verification

You show the airline how you are related to the person who died. This lets them know you are family and can get the special ticket. You can do this by giving them a copy of your birth certificate, marriage papers, or another legal document that shows your connection. Sometimes, the funeral home can provide them with a statement that proves you are family.

Travel Itinerary

When you call to book, have your trip details ready. Tell them when you want to fly, who is traveling, and where you are going and coming back from.

Mileage Plan Number

The airline wants you to join their Mileage Plan if you’re over 18 and need a bereavement fare, so have your member number ready. If you don’t have one, get ready to sign up when you call them.

Booking Process

You can’t book Alaska Airlines’ bereavement fares online; you must call them directly. Here’s how you do it:

• Contact Alaska Airlines Directly- Call this airline directly at 1-800-252-7522; they only book bereavement fares over the phone. Make sure you have all your papers and travel plans ready before you dial.
• Provide Necessary Information- When you phone them, give them your name and contact information. Tell them who is traveling with you. Say the dates and places you plan to fly. Explain your relationship to the deceased person. And if you’re a member, give them your Alaska Mileage Plan number.
• Present Documentation- You must show them papers that prove the person died and how you are related. Ask the person on the phone how they want you to send those papers, like by email or fax, or if they can call the funeral home. Get your copies of the death certificate or the funeral home papers ready.
• Confirm Fare and Booking- When you call, the person helping you will look at the flight prices and put the discount on your ticket. Before you say “yes” to the ticket, check all the details, like rules and extra costs. Make sure you know how you can change or cancel your flight. Get a confirmation number for your ticket and keep it safe.
• Payment and Ticketing- You need to give them your payment details to complete your flight booking. Then, you check how they will send you your tickets, such as by email or as an e-ticket.
• Follow-Up- Call the airline again after booking to double-check that they received your booking and all your papers. If the funeral plans change or your travel changes, tell Alaska Airlines right away.

Fare Details and Restrictions

You need to know how bereavement fares work to make your trip easier when you’re going through a hard time. Know about all the rules and details:

• Discount Application- Alaska Airlines takes 10% off the ticket’s starting price. So, your discount changes based on how much the ticket costs before taxes. They only cut the ticket price, not the extra fees and taxes.
• Travel Dates and Timeframe- You must start your trip within seven days of buying the ticket; this rule is very important. Alaska offers this discount for people who need to travel right away because someone has died.
• Route and Flight Restrictions- You can use the discount on Alaska’s flights, which get operated by Horizon Air and SkyWest, which fly for Alaska. You find seats like you do on any other flight, but they may sell out quickly, especially when many people travel.
• Ticket Type and Rules- You still have to follow all the normal ticket rules, even the strict ones like Saver fares. If you change or cancel your flight, you pay the usual fees, and baggage fees still count. Pay close attention to any special rules for the type of ticket you buy.
• Mileage Plan Requirement- If you’re over 18 and want an Alaska Airlines bereavement fare, you must join their Mileage Plan. They make you join so they can track the discount, and you need to make sure that you use it correctly.
• Combining Discounts- You can’t combine the bereavement discount with other deals, such as companion, government, or military discounts. This airline allows you to use only one discount for each ticket you buy.
• Post-Travel Application- You can’t get the discount after you’ve started your trip. If you’re already traveling, Alaska Airlines won’t give you the bereavement fare.
• Booking Limitations- You must call the airline to get the bereavement fare; you cannot book it online.
• Possibility for Price Comparisons- You should always check regular ticket prices, even with the bereavement discount, because sometimes sales or last-minute deals give you a better price. If you can, change your travel dates and times, as this will affect the number of tickets available and their cost.

Alternatives to Bereavement Fares

Sometimes, bereavement fares don’t give you the best price or fit your needs when you must travel for a funeral. Instead, you can look at other ways to book your trip.

Standard Fares and Flexible Booking

Sometimes, regular ticket prices are lower than bereavement fares, specifically if you buy them early or during less busy travel periods. You should look for flexible tickets that let you change or cancel your trip cheaply. You can even use websites that compare flight prices to find the best deals.

Using Frequent Flyer Miles

If you or someone in your family has airline miles, use them to buy your plane ticket. These miles save you a lot of money, especially if you need to travel soon. Look for available flights and understand any rules when you use your miles.

Credit Card Travel Benefits

Some credit cards give you travel perks. These perks include travel insurance, protection if your trip gets canceled or stopped, or money back for travel. You should look at the benefits of your card. See if any of them can save you money on travel.

Travel Insurance

Buy travel insurance if you may travel for emergencies. Some policies pay if you cancel or change trips because of a death. Read the policy details very closely to make sure they cover what you need.

Group or Family Travel

When your family travels together, book as a group. You might get discounts from airlines or travel agencies. Plus, you’ll reduce stress by managing all the travel plans at once.

Alternative Airports and Travel Dates

Change your travel dates to be more flexible and think about flying into airports that are close to your destination. You can often find cheaper flights if you fly on weekdays or during times when fewer people travel. If your location isn’t too far away, driving there might save you money.

Online Flight Alerts

You should set up flight alerts on websites. These alerts will monitor and track price changes for you, so you will quickly recognize and take advantage of any possible deals or price drops.

Contacting Other Airlines

It’s smart to widen your search beyond just Alaska; you should compare offers from various airlines to find the most advantageous deals and flexible travel arrangements.

Funeral Home Assistance

Usually, funeral homes work closely with travel agencies or airlines. This means they can actively assist families in making travel plans. They might also get discounts on flights or other travel services for those attending or arranging a funeral.

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