compassionate travel to Oz

[pimlico]

My brother is seriously ill and I have to travel to Perth next week (from London). My sis-in-law says that you can get cheaper last minute flights on compassionate grounds - I have never heard of this - has anyone any experience or advice?

[sunflower71]

sorry pimlico no.
i studied Travel & Tourism which included different flight deals and not heard of this but it was like 15 years ago.
Try calling some of the airlines direct.
hope your brother gets better soon.

[Dom Tuk]

no never heard of this. you could get upgrades, jump queues etc on compassionate grounds but cheaper tickets ...no

[dzug]

I think US airlines do this sort of thing, particularly on internal flights, but I've never heard of it elsewhere.

[pimlico]

Thanks guys - I don't know whether I have the nerve to ring the airlines direct - don't they get lots of calls with people pretending to be desperate in some way????

[sunflower71]

You should speak to the airlines direct, try all the main ones.
Standby tickets might be an idea.

[nickmo]

Called a 'bereavement fare' but may not be actually the cheapest available. Call airlines direct to get this sort of fare. Note they will need some details about the condition for travel.

For a good price I have found the rates at http://www.worldwideflights.com/ or at: http://www.wefly.co.uk/flightonly.html as just about the best on the web so if you need a cheap flight try the liinks.

I doubt the airlines fares will be athe above can offer though, and perhaps bear in mind that as you need to travel long haul, the absolute cheapest fare may not be the most suitable option in terms of type of flight, do you need an open return and even as basic as the comfort of the seat, etc...

I hope it works out ok for you...

[Dee Sa]

my mum did this to get to Dubai once, she rang the manager of Air Lanka, when all flights were full over xmas, and they kindly got her a seat,she did have to explain why but they took her word for it, she had to take cash to Air Lanka offices in London the next day and she left 2 days later, this was a while ago though.There was no fare reduction just the normal price.