Originally Posted by squeakr

bereavement fares are aimed at folks who are going somewhere due to death/illness and don't know how long they will need to stay - they are a discount off full fares no great bargain if you have specific dates.

If you are taking a collection anyway, I would purchase a flight that is the least stress for the employee/friend. priceline, multiple connections that aren't necessary, flying into an alternate airport where she will have problems getting to where she needs to go - if you're going to help, help with what she needs.

All other things being equal, SFO has better public transport options to SF, but has more delays.