Reposted from forum:
My brother, 44 years old, died last night. In Japan. I am in shock racing into grief.
(I know this is very young, and I will tell you it was from a lung malady, not from selfharm or a traffic accident or what usually takes the lives of men under the age of 50.)
His wife asked me to fly over. I need this information fast. I don't know if compassionate fares work for overseas flights.
Will my 12 yo child need a passport to fly with me?
Are there fare discounts or freebies for children?
Update: My cousin who is a travel agent found a flight for me. I am going alone. I now have some Japanese Yen, a tasteful black dress and black flats (no sense going as Godzilla-in-mourning) and maybe I'll have ticket info (website timed out on my cousin when she booked as me). I am still kind of in shock but prone to sudden crying fits. I am very thankful I have two places to stay at in Japan, and I'll be there for probably a week so I don't burden my sister's parents, who know very little English (I know even less Japanese). My mom and dad are both dead and I am struggling with minor details and what to do for Japanese funerals and how I'm going to communicate across the sea: do you think maybe my sister will let me have my brother's laptop?
How weird is it that today's SavingAdvice article is about men and heart disease? My brother died of a pulmonary embolism.
Answers urgently needed! International airfare websites
September 22nd, 2014 at 07:19 pm
September 22nd, 2014 at 07:27 pm 1411410430
September 22nd, 2014 at 07:27 pm 1411410443
(hugs) So sorry for your loss. I offer no advice on international travel, just my sincerest condolences during this time.
September 22nd, 2014 at 07:30 pm 1411410611
This link does indicate that all children regardless of age need passports: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/under-16.html
I would suggest calling your preferred airline and asking about discounted bereavement fares. It appears they may getting away from the practice, but may also assist you in good the best fare possible, even for international flights.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2014/04/13/airlines-bereavement-fares/7162939/
September 22nd, 2014 at 07:32 pm 1411410738
September 22nd, 2014 at 07:54 pm 1411412048
Thanks again.
September 22nd, 2014 at 09:06 pm 1411416413
September 22nd, 2014 at 09:32 pm 1411417947
Most times you can also pay for an expedited passport - we had to do the same when my brother died unexpectedly.
We found no luck in contacting airlines direct for bereavement fares (mainly Asian based airlines), just tries lots of online sites. We were surprised to get last minute international fares at equal to "specials". If you have a simple white pearl necklace, that is considered appropriate jewellery to accompany western black mourning clothes.
September 22nd, 2014 at 09:34 pm 1411418091
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