When someone passes away, the last thing on your mind is airfare. You’re thinking about family, about what just happened, and what you need to do next. But the flights won’t wait. Prices shoot up overnight, plans shift by the hour, and in the middle of it all, you’re left wondering, Does United Airlines still offer bereavement fares?
Here’s the short answer: no, not anymore. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. There are still ways to fly with some flexibility, save money, and keep the stress down when you need to move fast.
Key Takeaways
- United Airlines ended its bereavement fare program in 2014. There are no special discounts for deaths or family emergencies.
- You can still manage costs using refundable fares, MileagePlus miles, or same-day changes.
- Other airlines , like Delta and Air Canada , still have limited bereavement options.
- If paying for a last-minute flight feels impossible, there are ways to find help or use existing benefits you may already have.
What is a Bereavement Fare?
Bereavement fares, sometimes called compassion fares are flexible or discounted tickets for people flying to attend a funeral or visit someone critically ill. Back then, airlines built them as a quiet gesture of goodwill. You’d call, provide some proof like a hospital letter or a funeral home contact, and they’d usually cut you a break.
It worked in an older world , before dynamic pricing and instant online booking. Now, most carriers, including United, have folded those compassionate fares into flexible ticket options instead.
Does United Airlines Still Offer Bereavement Fares?
No. United officially discontinued bereavement fares in March 2014, and that policy hasn’t come back.
Instead of fixed discounts, United shifted to flexible fare types and rewards programs that let travelers build their own safety net. It’s not the same as compassion pricing, but it’s what the industry has become.
How Much do Emergency Flights Cost?
If you’ve ever booked a flight within three days of departure, you know it’s rough. Data from Google Flights and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics shows last-minute airfare can be 200–400% higher than average.
Typical one-way domestic flights can land anywhere between $300–$900, while international fares can climb above $2,000, especially around holidays. Smaller regional airports are often worse.
If you’re booking under pressure, flexibility becomes your friend , refundable fares, miles, or calling United to adjust flight times can save you a lot of stress later.
What You Can Do Instead
Even without a bereavement fare, you’ve still got some real options.
1. Book Refundable or Flexible Fares
At checkout, use the “Refundable tickets only” filter on United.com.
- Refundable fares let you cancel or change at no cost.
- Main Cabin Flexible tickets include one free change.
They’re pricier up front, but when funeral dates shift , and they often do , it’s worth it.
If plans settle later, you can always cancel and rebook a cheaper nonrefundable fare.
2. Use Same-Day Change or Standby
United allows same-day confirmed changes (free for MileagePlus elites, up to $75 otherwise) and free standby for everyone.
It’s a good fallback when you need to catch an earlier flight or delay a day for family reasons.
You can learn more about optimizing these perks in How to Get Upgraded on United Airlines.
3. Redeem MileagePlus Miles
Sometimes the best “discount” is paying with miles.
Award seats often don’t jump in price the same way cash fares do, and United now allows miles + cash combinations.
If you’re working within MileagePlus, these guides can help:
4. Call United Directly
Don’t assume there’s no help. Even though bereavement fares are gone, human discretion still exists. If you explain your situation calmly , dates, name, relation , some agents will quietly hold a fare or waive a fee.
It’s not in the policy book, but kindness still happens on the phone.
5. Look at Other Airlines
If you’re not locked into United, check Delta, Air Canada, or Lufthansa.
| Airline | Bereavement Policy | Documentation Needed |
| Delta Air Lines | Discounted fares for SkyMiles members during death or imminent death | Deceased’s name, relation, funeral home or hospital contact |
| Air Canada | Bereavement fares for travel within 10 days of death | Death certificate or hospital documentation |
| Lufthansa | Handles case-by-case with flexible rebooking | Proof of emergency or death |
They won’t always be cheaper, but they’ll be easier to change if your plans move around.
If You Can’t Afford a Bereavement Flight
Money shouldn’t stop you from being with family, but it often does. If airfare feels out of reach, consider these:
- Ask family or close friends. People want to help but don’t know how until you tell them.
- Check with your employer. Many offer bereavement leave or emergency assistance.
- Use your credit card perks. Some include 0% APR for new purchases or trip protection.
- Check travel insurance. Policies from AIG or Allianz often reimburse for family emergencies.
- Start a small memorial fund. Sites like GoFundMe or EverLoved can rally support quickly.
Sometimes, community is what carries you through, emotionally and financially.
FAQs
Does United Airlines offer bereavement fares?
Not anymore. United quietly dropped its bereavement fare back in 2014. These days there’s no special discount for deaths or emergencies, though you can still work around it using flexible tickets or MileagePlus miles.
Can I get a refund if someone dies?
Only if your ticket type allows it. Refundable fares or travel insurance that covers family deaths will do. Otherwise, the normal rules apply, even when life isn’t normal.
Can I change my United flight for a family emergency?
You can, yes. But expect to pay the difference in fare unless you’ve booked something flexible or hold MileagePlus Premier status. If you’re elite, same-day changes might even be free.
Do United agents ever make exceptions?
Sometimes they do. It really depends on the person you reach and how you ask. A calm tone and clear details help more than you’d think. Always call—don’t just assume the answer’s no.
Which airlines still offer bereavement fares?
A few still try to help. Delta Air Lines and Air Canada both maintain small compassionate-fare programs if you can show proof. Lufthansa, meanwhile, handles it case-by-case and can be surprisingly accommodating.
Final Thoughts for Families Traveling Through Loss
There’s no easy way to plan travel when someone’s gone. But understanding the system , and knowing where small bits of flexibility still live , helps take a little weight off.
When the unexpected happens:
- Book first, breathe after. Refundable or flexible fares buy you time.
- Pick up the phone. Ask. Sometimes empathy still gets through the cracks.
- Keep documentation. It matters later , for insurance or even peace of mind.
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