Air travel hardship tickets / travel with pets.

azith28

So I've been informed that my Grandmothers health is in a steep decline. I'm trying to prepare myself with the knowledge needed to be able to secure a plane ticket on short notice, hopefully not the full insane price they want to charge if you dont buy in advance. I'm sure this is a per airline thing, but how would i go about seeing whats available? How do some people fly on 'standby' on the cheap?

Also, curious about taking animals on air travel.

So how does this work for 2 cats? I don't need to do it and likely wont because i have some friends that should be able to watch them while im gone, but in case of a real emergency and for some reason my friends cant ive just wondered about it. Say i put them both in the same carrier, is that just treated like another bag and i just pay the baggage fee for the weigh overage, is it a flat charge for transporting animals, is it per animal or per carrier. Does it go in the baggage compartment? (Dont think so doesnt that area get freezing cold?) Do they make you buy a seat on the plane or something stupid expensive like that? If the carrier was the size of a carry on, could i just treat it as a carry on and not deal with them at all?

Thanks for the info.

Dr. Frenchenstein

hire a pet sitter or something if your friends can't watch them, don't take your cats on a plane. it depends on the airline for the policies, but from what i've heard it's a huge pain, and you are gambling with your pets' lives.

most airlines have grievance fares policies, but i think you might have to have a copy of the death certificate or some sort of proof. how far up the family tree it extends probably depends on the airline as well.

DaMoonRulz

Dr. Frenchenstein wrote: »

hire a pet sitter or something if your friends can't watch them, don't take your cats on a plane. it depends on the airline for the policies, but from what i've heard it's a huge pain, and you are gambling with your pets' lives.

most airlines have grievance fares policies, but i think you might have to have a copy of the death certificate or some sort of proof. how far up the family tree it extends probably depends on the airline as well.

You're not really gambling with their lives. However, it is expensive, 150 and up PER segment, and they wont accept pets if the temperature is below a certain point. Depending on the breed, some have an even higher temperature they have to meet. You need a vet signed letter of health and acclimation, food and food containers on the outside of the kennel, feeding instructions, so on and so forth.

Bereavement fares depend on the airline. Some don't have one, some are a 5% discount and others just tell you to call them to sort it out.

Darkewolfe

Bereavement fares are sort of going away as a thing as the airline industry struggles. It's certainly something to ask about, but there's not nearly as much goodwill for those as there used to be.

grouch993

When I had to buy last minute tickets for a funeral back east, the cheaper carriers were not offering bereavement discounts. And the airlines that were offering were still over twice as much as those cheap ones.

cookiekrush

You can actually take a pet with you to your seat as long the bag/carrier they are in are able to fit into the seat in front of you (also depends on the airline). This being said, I do not know if two cats would be allowed. However, if they do not fit into the seat below, they will get placed in the baggage area below the plane, and yes it does get cold. They only do this depending on the weather, as if it gets too cold, they will not accept animals, or they may placed them somewhere else on the plane. You'll also have to do a lot of pre-trip things for your cats, as getting approvals, shots, proper carriers, etc. You may be better off having them boarding at a pet lodge or having friends help you if this is going to be a last minute thing. Also, some pets do not travel well. My dog cannot travel well at all, and will bite the bars on the metal bars on the carrier due to the extreme amount of stress.

In terms of buying airfare, it can be expensive when you're buying last minute. Flying on stand by, means if someone does not show up for their flight, or there are open seats, you are allowed on the plane. If the flight is full, you will be directed to a different flight. This can make or break your trip depending on how filled an airplane gets. Sometimes, they do overbook flights, and will move you accordingly, or have people volunteer to take a later flight for credit/vouchers to allow other people on.

This all depends on the airline, as all airlines have different rules and requirements. Your best bet is to call them, and speak to someone about it.

Siska

Honestly, if it's an option, leave the cats behind. Cats tend to freak out far worse from a change of scenery then they would from their owners not coming home for a few days (or even weeks).

DaMoonRulz

The cargo bins they put animals in are heated and pressurized. The coldest they would be is going from the plane to inside the terminal, but again, I suggest not taking them.

DaMoonRulz

Where are you headed to? Knowing the nearby airports and airlines will make this much easier

mightyjongyo

If your cats are reasonably small - maybe a little bit bigger than a 'toy' sized dog, most cats are around this I think - there is no reason why you can't put them in a carrier and place them under the seat (in lieu of your regular carry-on). The issue is that there are two cats - normally I think it is one per passenger. If you are flying by yourself then it will be problematic even if they let you do so.

Someone mentioned this and it depends on airline, but it can be expensive (but, it is not per segment as mentioned). I've seen as low as 50 and as high as 150 to bring a pet one-way. You will also want proof of vaccination, and you should ask your vet and/or check with the airline to see what is required.

Regarding the initial question, Southwest will often offer deals for flying last-minute to fill up their flights, I think. Usually though it will be pretty pricey. I have never flown standby before...I assume you just show up and ask to be put on standby for the next flight out, or something. Calling the airline and asking about their standby policy will be your best bet here.

JebusUD

Basically they give you a cheaper ticket and you wait and take someones seat if they don't show up.

That said, it probably won't feel the greatest if you miss seeing your grandma because you had to take the 4 am flight the next morning instead of the 8 am flight today or whatever. I dont know how eminent her passing is.

ceres

Find a way not to take your cats. I doubt the plane will kill them or anything, but it's really not worth stressing them out.

DaMoonRulz

mightyjongyo wrote: »

If your cats are reasonably small - maybe a little bit bigger than a 'toy' sized dog, most cats are around this I think - there is no reason why you can't put them in a carrier and place them under the seat (in lieu of your regular carry-on).

Carrying a pet in cabin costs extra. Wasn't sure if the cost part you mentioned was for carrying or checked

azith28

leaving cleveland, going to New Orleans
dont worry cats are staying home, just was curious