Tacky corporation policy.

So Air Canada - a brand I previously loved - has special rules for getting a bereavement rate, basically to make it as difficult as possible to get it. I can't get the rate since I got the ticket through CheapoAir.com, who works with Continental and not United. Meanwhile, Continental has their own special set of rules, like "Compassion fares are not valid on codeshare flights or other airlines" - which would rule out the Air Canada portion anyway. Indeed none of the major carriers seem to make any allowance for the issue.

 

I know there's a few articles online about the issue (like in the NY TImes. It's not enough that you're mourning a dead person - you have to try and secure a reasonably fast flight at the last minute, which guarentees you're going to get an expensive flight - which is why you use cheapoair in the first place. If Air Canada offered a rebate after the funeral, then I'd at least recoup some of the costs - but no. So much for loyalty to Air Canada.

 

Airlines (and the travel industry in general) are missing a huge opportunity to address a sensitive issue with some class. I'm not looking so much for a bargain here - but things like flexibility and rates that are actually cheaper than the stated regular, non-bereavement fare would be nice.

 

Heck, I'd like even a simple page on their site saying, "we know this is a time of stress - you're probably not thinking as well as you normally do, because you have plenty on your mind. We'll help you solve the travel portion of your problem". You know - basic customer service, act like you care about me, that type of thing.

Done