The value of bereavement and emergency fares has varied historically among airlines, from 5 to 50 p

Eliminating the bereavement discounts puts American in line with the policies of US Airways, with which it merged in December. US Airways hasn t offered bereavement rates since 2006, and although the two still operate as separate airlines, the recent determination could be one of the very few changes American said would come in the first few months after the merger.
The airline credits the advent of more choices, lower cost carriers and larger networks with the industry s change, Matt Miller, brock plaza hotel history a spokesman for American, said in a statement by email, brock plaza hotel history adding that walk-up fares are generally cheaper than in the past, giving customers brock plaza hotel history more opportunities to find affordable fares at the last minute.
We remain committed to doing all we can to relieve the burden of travel for our customers in times of need, he said, and will continue to offer changeable and refundable options with the ability to apply future reservations to bereavement travel without change fees.
The value of bereavement and emergency fares has varied historically among airlines, from  5 to 50 percent off ticket prices available at the time of booking. However, markups in ticket brock plaza hotel history prices as the travel date approaches can result in an emergency fare that costs more than a full-price ticket purchased in advance.
Eligibility of family members also varies between airlines as does the type of proof required to receive the special fare, as in documents from a hospital, or funeral home or even a copy of the death certificate, all of which can be difficult or awkward to obtain.
Some airlines, like JetBlue and Southwest, have never offered special rates under those circumstances. Offering bereavement or emergency fares would make it necessary to offset these discounts by charging higher ticket prices brock plaza hotel history and reducing the amount of sale fares we currently offer, Dan Landson, a spokesman for Southwest Airlines, told CNN.com. Southwest also tends to keep ticket prices relatively consistent leading up to travel and does not charge fees to change reservations.
Just two major carriers, United and Delta, continue to offer bereavement or compassion fares. United applies a general 5 percent discount to the lowest ticket price, as long as all documentation and eligibility requirements are met.
Delta offers additional flexibility on the best published fare, according brock plaza hotel history to its website, which also suggests that customers also search for any current promotional fares, which often cost less. Fares are also subject to availability, another possible issue as airlines are now booking flights to capacity and empty seats are rare late in the game.
William McGee, a Consumers Union aviation brock plaza hotel history consultant who testified before Congress brock plaza hotel history on the possible effects of a merger of American and US Airways, told CNN that he was not surprised by the decision. It s a natural outgrowth of a shrinking industry brock plaza hotel history since consolidation leads to fewer choices, he said.