WWTBAM Bored

I may have a sudden and acute need to fly to New York. Apparently, my grandmother has been admitted to the hospital (after 28 hours in the ER) with kidney failure. I'm told that the doctor is having some difficulty arranging dialysis because it's not typically performed on patients my grandmother's age. (I don't consider the details reliable -- the information is at best thirdhand.)

Any suggestions how I can get there without breaking the bank? --Bob

One good site is kayak.com for a comprehensive summary of all fares on all airlines. From LAX to LGA the best fare they show for next Tuesday (which I picked as a sample short notice date) is $332 round trip on Spirit Airlines. Fares under $400 are also available on Frontier and US Air.

Don't some airlines offer a "family emergency" fare if you contact them directly? I'd call and ask. All they can do is tell you no.

Hope everything turns out all right.

Ray

I'm sorry to hear that. Good vibes to grandma.

Your best bet is to use hotwire.com for a last-minute discount.

Flying from Orange County will probably cost less.

Good luck.

Use kayak; check all the area airports. I've had good luck with Ontario but there are a bunch of options and airlines.

Sorry to hear about your grandma's health. I hope all things work out the best way they can.

I was going to suggest Jet Blue and then went to their site and was shocked at the price.

Hope you can find something better than $600.

AMEX has "last minute deals" every week. It's on their website. It's sorta flexible. Earliest day in the week you can leave is a Thursday and I think you have to stay over a Saturday night.

Not necessarily convenient for unknown circumstances. Works pretty well for a last minute long weekend trip out of town, but sometimes it would work if you needed to get somewhere for a few days and needed a cheap airfare.

Southwest has by far the cheapest rates with short notice. Not too many non stop flights though.

Good luck. Sorry to hear about having travel under these circumstances.

Update: It looks like I won't be flying to New York immediately. My grandmother is receiving dialysis, and assuming she tolerates it (she's a tough and feisty old broad -- she will), it should restore her appetite. (She's been getting weekly blood tests to assess kidney function -- she was admitted when those tests revealed that her kidney function is down to 10%.) They're prepared to perform dialysis three times a week. It'll be a pain for her to get there for the procedure, but I'm sure it will happen.

Thanks to everyone for the practical suggestions. At some point in the future they will inevitably be necessary. But there's still room for hope that the future is a long way off. --Bob

Bob78164 wrote:Update: It looks like I won't be flying to New York immediately. My grandmother is receiving dialysis, and assuming she tolerates it (she's a tough and feisty old broad -- she will), it should restore her appetite. (She's been getting weekly blood tests to assess kidney function -- she was admitted when those tests revealed that her kidney function is down to 10%.) They're prepared to perform dialysis three times a week. It'll be a pain for her to get there for the procedure, but I'm sure it will happen.

Thanks to everyone for the practical suggestions. At some point in the future they will inevitably be necessary. But there's still room for hope that the future is a long way off. --Bob

That's sort of good news. I'm sure the old broad will keep on fighting. How old is she?

Bob Juch wrote:That's sort of good news. I'm sure the old broad will keep on fighting. How old is she?

She's 95. Her older sister is 97. About 15 years ago, my great aunt was in an auto accident that left her legs rather messed up. It put her in a walker or wheelchair for the rest of her life.

Except that it didn't. For the last five or six years, she's been able to walk unassisted. She still uses the walker when she gets tired, but she can get around her house on her own two legs. --Bob

Another possibility if the need arises in the future is a flight to Islip, rent a car and drive to NYC. I had friends that did this and saved themselves a bunch a dough.

Best to your grandmother. Great to know you come from such hearty stock!