Bereavement flights can be flexible but are not always the cheapest option

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28: My father-in-law suddenly passed away earlier this month and so I had some last minute travel arrangements to make.

My wife and I found out at 12:30am and we were on the Air Canada flight that morning to British Colombia.

We didn’t ask about the bereavement rate — we just booked our tickets and went.

We didn’t even think to enquire about it.

I asked about it afterwards and the price quoted was actually more expensive than what we paid so it was a non-starter.

But that can happen.

The Air Canada website clearly states “In many instances, a lower-priced fare may be found by shopping online at www.aircanada.com.

“Bereavement fares are intended to provide maximum flexibility for passengers who must travel during a time of family emergency but are not necessarily the lowest fares available.”

If you ask for a bereavement rate after the fact, you’ll need to keep your boarding passes and have a copy of the death certificate, although many airlines will accept a funeral director’s statement of death or a letter from the hospital or the attending physician.

You can ask for bereavement rates for a variety of people who are immediate family.

They can not only include the obvious relatives such as parents, siblings, and children, but could also include aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, legal guardians, grandparents and grandchildren.

That’s not an exhaustive list and its best to check with your airline.

Air Canada doesn’t discriminate on sexual preference and also allows for in-laws of the same sex partner.

Bereavement rates do not apply to executive or first class service.

On the way back to Bermuda, I ended up flying executive class as the price difference between it and economy was $40.

That’s a no-brianer. It would have cost me $25 for my luggage for flying economy and I would have purchased two meals in the airport for the long flight back, so executive class was actually cheaper.

I had a six-hour layover in Vancouver and was able to use the Maple Leaf Lounge at the airport. It provided all-you-can-eat soup and salad for dinner, plus free beverages (soda, coffee, tea, juices, water and alcohol).

I also had a three-hour layover in Toronto and used the lounge there to have breakfast.

Plus the lounges are much quieter than the waiting areas at the terminal with comfy chairs — it made the travelling experience more pleasant.

In Vancouver, I could have gone to a hotel to wait, courtesy of Air Canada.

They have an Air Canada Stopover policy for Taoronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

It states: “For connections over 6 hours, the Air Canada Stopover option includes one-night hotel accommodation and applicable taxes for one low price. The Canadian break comes at no additional airfare and your hotel is free with an Executive Class or Latitude ticket and for a minimal fee with a Tango and Tango Plus ticket.”

A few years back my wife and I ended up staying over night in Toronto after a trip to the west coast.

It’s a great deal and you might want to factor that into your ticket pricing options if you have to do the same.

If you were going to spend $100+ on a hotel anyway, it may be better to upgrade yourself to executive class.

Even if you aren’t flying executive class, Air Canada will allow Tango and Tango Plus passengers to get a hotel starting at $49 plus taxes, so there’s a cost savings to be had.

In order to use this, you have to opt in to the AC Stopover programme at least 96 hours in advance and select the Stopover option during the booking process.