Immediate Emergency Flight Home Experiences?

[Packer]

It is a sad fact for those that live far away from an ageing parent, that one day or night they may very well get a phone call telling them that they need to get back home IMMEDIATELY.

 

I am preparing for such an eventuality, so that if the time comes, I know exactly what to do while one's head could be all over the place. 

 

Clothes into a suitcase, passport etc into a backpack and off to the airport.

 

Not forgetting to get a re-entry permit while there. Counter located in the passport control zone 2, 4th floor of Suwannaphum, 1000 THB and copies of passport and visa.

 

But booking immediate flights. For me, it would be 3 flights. One to Suwannaphum, then one main to SFO, then one domestic.

 

What is the best way to book in a hurry?

 

Websites such as booking.com or agoda or skyscanner?

Wait until getting to Suwannaphum airport (one flight away) and just go to different airline counters and ask them?

 

What are your experiences of booking immediate flights (or as close as possible) in such an emergency? Was it around the normal price, or was it much higher? 

[bamnutsak]

Personally I'd start planning now, check out possible routings. Familiarize yourself with those routings, schedules. carriers.

 

 

I might opt for one single ticket for CNX-BKK-NNN-SFO-MMM as this gives you the most protection re: IRROPS. If you do book CNX-BKK and BKK-SFO-MMM separately give your self plenty of time for the connection at BKK.

 

And I might opt to buy directly from the issuing airline.

 

Some airlines offer slightly discounted bereavement fares - last minute can often be the MOST expensive.

 

Will you be able to pick return dates?

 

What is your final destination?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

Why not go and visit them before they are on their deathbed ?

[Packer]

7 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

Personally I'd start planning now

 

That's exactly what I said I'm doing. Everybody should do it, if such a phone call is a possibility. 

 

[Packer]

2 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Why not go and visit them before they are on their deathbed ?

 

We do. Twice a year, usually. 🙂 

[BrandonJT]

6 hours ago, Packer said:

Websites such as booking.com or agoda or skyscanner?

Skyscanner is not a booking website.  They give you links to other booking websites.  But it's usually best to book directly with airlines, and not through third party websites.  If there are problems, missed connections, cancelled flights etc, you can only work with the company you used to book.  If you book directly with the airline you can go to the counter at the airport and talk to the airline staff or call the airline directly, or use their app to try and rebook etc. But if you use a third party website, the airline will not talk to you, and will tell you to talk to the company you used to book your flight.  Many of these companies will not assist you quickly.

[proton]

Last time I did it just turned up at the airport and booked a flight there leaving two hours later

[daveAustin]

You can get your re entry permit when you get annual extension. Should be valid for length of stay. One less thing to think about. 

[Cameroni]

6 hours ago, Packer said:

Was it around the normal price, or was it much higher? 

 

Much higher.

 

I only book direct with the airline. If I were to book via booking site, I'd use Agoda.

 

Good thinking to plan ahead.

[Toby1947]

In such an emergency why even bother mentioning cost, cheap Charlie rules again. 

[geisha]

I have had emergencies on 2 occasions. My sister died unexpectedly on Boxing Day a few years back. Her family and kids in complete panic. I immediately tried every single airline possible for UK even nearby countries and all were fully booked. I was so upset that I rushed into Pattaya to an Indian travel agency just across from The Avenue on a little lane behind 2nd rd. They had helped me before with visas for Japan, Australia, Myanmar.,

( I’m lazy with my iPad).

Over more than an hour the owner sat there and contacted everyone and finally got me a cancellation with BA for London the following night. 
just to say sometimes bad things happen on national holidays.

Another time was with Covid, I wanted to go back to France and had to advance my ticket. People ( Chinese) were sick in my building and I panicked , packed up and took a car to Koh Chang where I called Emirates every day until they found me a seat. Must say the Bangkok office was great. 
I usually fly business on long hall and I think you might get better chances. I wouldn’t hesitate to pay any price at all if I absolutely had to get home due to health. 

[HK MacPhooey]

Recommendation for anyone - always carry passport, ATM/credit cards, cash, driver’s licence, ID cards etc on one’s person (side pocket of cargo pants for example) and not in a back pack.

 

In addition, keep passport in some sort of watertight bag for added protection - machine readable passports are more prone to water damage and IOs these days are far more stringent with any physical damage.

 

 

[KhunLA]

Can't think of any reason I'd need an 'emergency' return to USA.  To say good bye to dying friend or family member, I can do that here.

 

To attend a funeral ... seriously, visit after they are dead.   Besides a waste of money, a bit counter productive.

 

A few folks died since I've been here, TH, not family, though doesn't matter, and no, didn't return.  Not the way I want to remember or be remembered, in a box, no thanks.

 

Returned when my mother passed, actually to help brother care for her, in her last couple months.  if it was sudden death, then no, wouldn't have returned.

 

When subject come up about funeral and viewing, I said "F'that", nobody come to see her years prior to or while dying.   What the F do we want to see those Aholes for after she died. let alone put a spread out for them.

 

Never understood the purpose of a viewing or funeral.  All a bit way too late.

[Crossy]

My parents, both in their 90s now, take a pragmatic approach.

 

Basic, non-denominational arrangements already pre-paid with the CoOp (or similar), "a cardboard box and a gallon of diesel" according to dad.

 

I am under strict instructions NOT to jet halfway round the world when their time comes. My sister lives nearby anyway so no issues with support and arrangements (she has always been closer to them anyway).

 

Both told me that, rather than pay $$$ on flights, to donate what we would spend to a local charity (probably the local Wat school). I'm sure Madam will make suitable incantations and donations at the Wat.

 

[DezLez]

1 hour ago, HK MacPhooey said:

Recommendation for anyone - always carry passport, ATM/credit cards, cash, driver’s licence, ID cards etc on one’s person (side pocket of cargo pants for example) and not in a back pack.

 

In addition, keep passport in some sort of watertight bag for added protection - machine readable passports are more prone to water damage and IOs these days are far more stringent with any physical damage.

 

 

At ALL times?

[ChaiyaTH]

19 minutes ago, DezLez said:

At ALL times?

Yeah we live in the dessert in times of war ><

[ChaiyaTH]

2 hours ago, geisha said:

I have had emergencies on 2 occasions. My sister died unexpectedly on Boxing Day a few years back. Her family and kids in complete panic. I immediately tried every single airline possible for UK even nearby countries and all were fully booked. I was so upset that I rushed into Pattaya to an Indian travel agency just across from The Avenue on a little lane behind 2nd rd. They had helped me before with visas for Japan, Australia, Myanmar.,

( I’m lazy with my iPad).

Over more than an hour the owner sat there and contacted everyone and finally got me a cancellation with BA for London the following night. 
just to say sometimes bad things happen on national holidays.

Another time was with Covid, I wanted to go back to France and had to advance my ticket. People ( Chinese) were sick in my building and I panicked , packed up and took a car to Koh Chang where I called Emirates every day until they found me a seat. Must say the Bangkok office was great. 
I usually fly business on long hall and I think you might get better chances. I wouldn’t hesitate to pay any price at all if I absolutely had to get home due to health. 

And what difference did it make? You arriving 12 hours earlier?

[faraday]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

 

To attend a funeral ... seriously, visit after they are dead.   Besides a waste of money, a bit counter productive.

 

Yes I agree.

When my mother died a few years back, I didn't go back.

 

She was dead & being there for a funeral would have been pointless.

 

My sister live streamed it for me.

 

Not Facebook.

[The Fugitive]

2 hours ago, geisha said:

I have had emergencies on 2 occasions. My sister died unexpectedly on Boxing Day a few years back. Her family and kids in complete panic. I immediately tried every single airline possible for UK even nearby countries and all were fully booked. I was so upset that I rushed into Pattaya to an Indian travel agency just across from The Avenue on a little lane behind 2nd rd. They had helped me before with visas for Japan, Australia, Myanmar.,

( I’m lazy with my iPad).

Over more than an hour the owner sat there and contacted everyone and finally got me a cancellation with BA for London the following night. 
just to say sometimes bad things happen on national holidays.

Another time was with Covid, I wanted to go back to France and had to advance my ticket. People ( Chinese) were sick in my building and I panicked , packed up and took a car to Koh Chang where I called Emirates every day until they found me a seat. Must say the Bangkok office was great. 
I usually fly business on long hall and I think you might get better chances. I wouldn’t hesitate to pay any price at all if I absolutely had to get home due to health. 

Sorry for the circumstances and credit to you for your humanity and ingenuity. Never would have thought to try an Indian travel agent when not travelling to/from India! The proprietor sounds top! I wonder, had you not purchased that London flight on British Airways, whether it would have appeared online on British Airways website and/or online third-party travel agents sites? Could be the airlines have special relationships with travel agents?

[1FinickyOne]

On 7/10/2025 at 3:31 PM, Packer said:

It is a sad fact for those that live far away from an ageing parent, that one day or night they may very well get a phone call telling them that they need to get back home IMMEDIATELY.

 

I am preparing for such an eventuality, so that if the time comes, I know exactly what to do while one's head could be all over the place. 

 

Clothes into a suitcase, passport etc into a backpack and off to the airport.

 

Not forgetting to get a re-entry permit while there. Counter located in the passport control zone 2, 4th floor of Suwannaphum, 1000 THB and copies of passport and visa.

 

But booking immediate flights. For me, it would be 3 flights. One to Suwannaphum, then one main to SFO, then one domestic.

 

What is the best way to book in a hurry?

 

Websites such as booking.com or agoda or skyscanner?

Wait until getting to Suwannaphum airport (one flight away) and just go to different airline counters and ask them?

 

What are your experiences of booking immediate flights (or as close as possible) in such an emergency? Was it around the normal price, or was it much higher? 

Plenty of experience with dementia parents but not much w/emergency travel - - and you might want to mention that it is emergency travel - - the only issue I can spot is that you should book to your destination - not to SF... what we had was 24/7 in home care with very responsible people so there were no emergencies... eventually they both ended up in an alz facility... 

[Packer]

After reading some of the replies, I'm now thinking of just blocking all family member's phone numbers as to not even be notified of them being on their deathbeds. 

[BusyB]

 

Strikes me that if cost is not an issue you can just pitch up at BKK after a 1-way there and you should be on your way within a few hours if not minutes.

 

If cost is an issue then there's not much point in scoping the fares, because they change constantly and what you find today can be very different when it comes to your fateful day. Then you'll just have to pitch up at BKK ...

 

Better to get a cluster of airline apps on your phone you can check out anytime. I'd recommend Star Alliance carriers because they have the broadest network - United is a member.

[Stevemercer]

This happened to me when my Dad died unexpectedly early last year. I'd already booked a return flight to Australia leaving the next week to visit my parents for 3 weeks.

 

The call came in the afternoon and I was able to book a direct flight leaving the next morning. My wife and I drove through the night from Khon Kaen to Bangkok so I could catch the flight (there were no flights from Khon Kaen that would have allowed me to catch the flight). My 12 month extension was in order and I already had a multi-entry.

 

That worked out for me, but I made one (expensive) mistake. I didn't cancel my already booked return flight figuring I could use the return flight. When the time came to return I found out it was airline policy to cancel the return if you didn't show up for the initial flight. I ended up booking a new return and had to forfeit the cost of the two way return flight. So the total cost was about $3,700 ($1,600 for the forfeited return flight, plus $1,400 for the new direct flight booked at the last minute, plus $700 for the new return).

[Packer]

3 minutes ago, Stevemercer said:

This happened to me when my Dad died unexpectedly early last year. I'd already booked a return flight to Australia leaving the next week to visit my parents for 3 weeks.

 

The call came in the afternoon and I was able to book a direct flight leaving the next morning. My wife and I drove through the night from Khon Kaen to Bangkok so I could catch the flight (there were no flights from Khon Kaen that would have allowed me to catch the flight). My 12 month extension was in order and I already had a multi-entry.

 

That worked out for me, but I made one (expensive) mistake. I didn't cancel my already booked return flight figuring I could use the return flight. When the time came to return I found out it was airline policy to cancel the return if you didn't show up for the initial flight. I ended up booking a new return and had to forfeit the cost of the two way return flight. So the total cost was about $3,700 ($1,600 for the forfeited return flight, plus $1,400 for the new direct flight booked at the last minute, plus $700 for the new return).

 

Good information of your experience. Thank you for your positive contribution on ASEAN Now. 

[geisha]

7 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

And what difference did it make? You arriving 12 hours earlier?

It was for the kids and to help generally , even tho they were capable. It’s natural to want to help those you love ! My sister also had a funeral plan. They do that in the UK.

As for the «  12 hours earlier » , I didn’t  have any options. I took the first. You try and get a flight over the Christmas / New year holidays. 

[geisha]

6 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

Sorry for the circumstances and credit to you for your humanity and ingenuity. Never would have thought to try an Indian travel agent when not travelling to/from India! The proprietor sounds top! I wonder, had you not purchased that London flight on British Airways, whether it would have appeared online on British Airways website and/or online third-party travel agents sites? Could be the airlines have special relationships with travel agents?

Thanks, I spent a a full Boxing Day trying to find a flight. Add to that I was very upset. I thought of the older gentleman in the agency I’d used for Visas abroad and I literally dashed there. I’ll never forget how kind he was. 
Yes, I think it being his job and agency he was much better at it then me and also did know people as I was sitting in front of him . Took him over an hour in calls. Also it was a direct flight so shorter. 

[NoshowJones]

On 7/10/2025 at 10:06 PM, Cameroni said:

 

Much higher.

 

I only book direct with the airline. If I were to book via booking site, I'd use Agoda.

 

Good thinking to plan ahead.

Don't Agoda always add extra tax to their advertised prices in the small print? Maybe they don't do this flight bookings.

[NanLaew]

19 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Can't think of any reason I'd need an 'emergency' return to USA.  To say good bye to dying friend or family member, I can do that here.

 

To attend a funeral ... seriously, visit after they are dead.   Besides a waste of money, a bit counter productive.

 

A few folks died since I've been here, TH, not family, though doesn't matter, and no, didn't return.  Not the way I want to remember or be remembered, in a box, no thanks.

 

Returned when my mother passed, actually to help brother care for her, in her last couple months.  if it was sudden death, then no, wouldn't have returned.

 

When subject come up about funeral and viewing, I said "F'that", nobody come to see her years prior to or while dying.   What the F do we want to see those Aholes for after she died. let alone put a spread out for them.

 

Never understood the purpose of a viewing or funeral.  All a bit way too late.

 

Your familial dynamics are probably different from most others.

 

I don't do funerals for friends or relatives. However, I have attended the cremations of both my parents and my only sister. This wasn't so much for my comfort and solace as it was for those surviving each passing, like my mother, my sister and my niece and nephew when my sister passed away.

 

Otherwise the next one I will be attending will be my own and i won't care who shows up or otherwise.

[NanLaew]

Back on topic: I have found that ita matrix website is the easiest to use for flight searches.

 

https://matrix.itasoftware.com/search

 

You search, select and then go direct to the selected airline's website to book and pay.

 

For example, for a hot repatriation flight from BKK to MAN tomorrow night, with a short plane-change layover in Bahrain, Gulf Air came in less than £300 o/w.

 

Also note that more airlines are offering the lowest fares with no checked baggage allowance, so you better wear your funeral suit on  the flight.

[Cameroni]

43 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

Don't Agoda always add extra tax to their advertised prices in the small print? Maybe they don't do this flight bookings.

 

What they do is they add "points" which you can redeem at a later date. So the price you book is indeed slightly increased at time of payout, but you can redeem the points later.