Airlines used to give discounts to passengers traveling to a relative's funeral -- but those days are just about gone.
Now buying a ticket to attend a funeral or visit a relative in the hospital is no different than last-minute travel plans for any other reason.
Among the largest U.S. airlines, only Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines still offer so-called bereavement fares. Experts say those cheaper fares generally offer a small discount off the walk-up fare.
A spokesman said Virgin America offers 40 percent off, but the policy is not listed on the website of the smaller carrier, which flies to 21 U.S. airports.
Fort Worth-based American Airlines and United Airlines ended bereavement fares in 2014. Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air don't offer them.
