Recently we had a death in the family and I needed to get a cross-country flight. Because it was a last-minute booking, the cost was twice as much as it should have been for a regular booked flight. Could I have avoided the sky-high fee? MMR, Newark NJ

A: Not all airlines offer lower-rate, quick-book bereavement fares. When you first know about the funeral schedule, immediately check online, by phone and/or with a local travel agency to find a cooperating airline. When booking, you must give details, including name of the deceased relative, funeral schedule and locations.