If we are dealing with a perishable item, then why are last minute tickets charged an exorbitant amount. It should be just the opposite. If I walk up to buy a ticket on a plane that is about to leave with empty seats, wouldn't it be smart for the airline to sell me the seat at a cheap price - afterall to leave with an empty seat, once gone is gone forever. They do this with the net-saaver seats when they see that a route has lots of empty seats. You can't have it both ways. Bereavement fares should be cheaper, not more expensive - it could be a stand-by fee allowing a person to make a choice - stand-by for cheap taking an otherwise unused seat, or pay more for confirmation when you need a guarantee. Someone who flagrantly decides to not show up for a flight is not what we are talking about. Let's not end up with a caste system - flying for the rich - people who can easily afford fees, and frown on those for whom it would be a burden.

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Ms.DtG