American Airlines recently announced it will no longer offer lower prices for passengers who must take last-minute flights due of a death and funeral in the family. According to AA, the step is to conform with the existing no-bereavement policy of merger partner US Airways.

Actually, for seasoned citizen flyers and others likely to need such hurry-up flights, this new rule may not be as inconvenient as it appears. With savvy travel agents and/or expert personal internet surfing, flyers needing last-minute tickets can often get better prices with Southwest, Virgin America and other budget airlines.

www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-american-airlines-ends-bereavement-fares-20140227,0,1676004.story#axzz2uZ4IHRBO