Travel Agents/Airline People- Help, re: Last Minute Flight

[Saydrah]

One of my best friends just found out his girlfriend's best friend's sister was killed in a car crash (you following so far?) and his girlfriend wants to go to the funeral. She can't take any time off work at all, though, because last week she was out with an awful case of strep + flu and used up all her sick time. So she needs to fly out Friday evening and get back Saturday evening.

Are there any travel agents or people who work for the airlines who can suggest a way to get a flight on a weekend at the last minute, round trip, for a price that won't require selling a kidney to afford it? The lowest price we've found so far is $550 for round trip. Is there anywhere to get tickets for less?

[Monica]

Have you tried priceline.com? I used it recently to book some tickets and I got a really good deal compared to other places.

[rvdammit]

http://www.lastminute.com/

Might help, but suspect as, from memory, it's UK based and so may be no good for US internal flights.

[Pedersen]

Try calling the airline directly, and asking for a bereavement fare. Some airlines used to have them, and it's worth asking.

[auntiem]

Bereavement fare won't work since it isn't a relative and most airlines don't do them anymore. Without knowing the city pair for the trip - a few suggestions: a few airlines don't participate on Orbitz and such try calling a few of them, any chance there is a city within 50-60 miles of where she wants to go with a cheaper flight - it means a drive, but often can save hundreds at this point, somtimes there is cheap one ways maybe space on one airline for Friday another for Saturday, any chance at all she could come home early Sun (maybe to get past the one day minimum).
Let us know how it turns out.

[wagegoth]

hotwire.com
southwest.com
orbitz.com
jetblue.com

I use them all the time for booking and/or research.

[Gravekeeper]

Avoid US Airways / America West or she'll end up calling me in the middle of the night for a hotel room after they miss or cancel her connection.

[Kusanagi]

Go to cheaptickets.com or travelocity.com and get one of their last minute deals.