This thought just came into my head, since we had to schedule a bunch of last-minute flights for my husband and step-daughter, and the rates right now are through the roof.

Do airlines offer any kinds of discounts if a person is flying somewhere for surgery or other medical treatment, if it is taking place during peak holiday travel times?  You know how at this time of year, the flights cost so much more?  Is it possible to find out (or maybe pressure the airlines to do it)?

Diane

When the site first started someone did mention going out to Stanford for brain surgery and did get a discount but they had to contact the head person and get the o.k. and I believe it did take a little time if I remember correctly. It's worth asking about all they can say is no.
                 Nancy

Yeah, I remember that too.  I looked through the old message board and found the post from Elaine:


Quote:

I got in contact with Southwest Airlines & they Donated 2 Plane tickets to me.  If anybody needs to contact them for help call Southwest at 214-792-6178 ask for Jim. He is great; they had an answer within 24 hours of us requesting it.

I wonder if ol' Jim is still around?

Re Airline rates:
We recently flew from Denver, CO to San Jose, CA for treatment with Dr. Steinberg at Stanford (will write more good info on that later).  Even though Denver is a big hub for United, the cheapest fare they offered was over $400 round trip.

Frontier Airlines, however, came through nicely.  They let my husband and me take our 2 grandkids (7 and 8)  at a senior roundtrip fare of $229.  Daughter and husband were $259 each.  They also let us change our return flight without a penalty fee which was extremely generous and accommodating.  We discussed this with the Frontier agent ahead of time.  She said to call and ask for a Supervisor if we had to change the return flight.  The supervisor requested a letter from Steinberg's office - which was FAXed to them.  
Email direct if you want more info.  Still haven't figured out how to email members personally on this board.
Best,
Roni (Siri's mom)
eolsen6400@aol.com

Last August we paid 258.00 per person to go back out to Stanford from Baltimore (BWI airport) on Southwest Airlines for Mandy's check up we flew into oakland if thats helpful to anyone.
                                  Nancy

You know, now that you mention it, Southwest is well-known for having a strong community outreach.  I had forgotten about that until you brought up the name.  Don't know much about Frontier airlines.

The thing that's good about Stanford is that flying into San Jose (SJC), San Francisco (SFO) or Oakland (don't know that airport code) are all pretty convenient.  None more than an hour's drive at most from me in SJ . . . SFO is much less than an an hour from Palo Alto, as is SJC.  I have no experience with Oakland airport, but have heard good things.  SFO and SJC are both pretty easy to get in and out of . . . UNLIKE the major NYC area airports.  For where we (PatM, my parents, and me in the past) live in NJ, Newark is the only reasonable option.  LaGuardia and Kennedy are a nightmare to try to get to from Jersey.  No way to avoid driving through NYC, which is just plain hell if you're not used to it.

Diane