An American Airlines jet at JFK
American Airlines, which merged with US Airways last December to form the world’s largest airline, announced it was discontinuing bereavement fares. The special rates were lower, non-advertised fares for travelers who had to buy a ticket at the last minute due to a death in the family.
US Airways did not offer bereavement fares prior to the merger.
Even today, in an era of low-cost air travel, last-minute fares tend to be very high.
American said that it was making the change “to have a single, consistent program for American and US Airways” in a statement issued Wednesday. The airline will allow customers to change a future reservation into a last-minute flight without a fee.
Delta, on its website, offers discounted bereavement fares “to attend the final services for an immediate family member.” United Airlines offers what it calls “compassion” fares, which are for travel “in the event of a death or serious illness (requiring hospitalization or hospice care) of an immediate family member.”