What airlines offer senior discounts and how much you save

Most major U.S. airlines do not offer a blanket senior discount on ticket prices the way they once did. Instead, they compete on fares through sales, advance booking, and membership programs that happen to work well for older travelers. The airlines that do advertise senior fares — Southwest, Delta, United, and American — typically require you to call their reservations line rather than book online, and the discount is usually 5 to 10 percent off the lowest available fare at the time you call.

The catch is that these senior fares are not always cheaper than what you would find by booking in advance or using a sale fare. You have to call and ask, compare the price they quote you, and decide whether it beats what you see on the airline's website or a search engine. Some travelers find the senior fare useful for last-minute trips when sale fares have sold out; others find that advance booking saves more money regardless of age.

A few regional carriers and budget airlines offer senior discounts as well, but the terms vary widely. It is worth calling any airline you plan to fly and asking whether they have a senior rate for your specific route and dates.

Key Takeaways

  • Most major airlines offer 5 to 10 percent senior discounts, but only if you call their reservations line — you cannot book them online.
  • Senior fares are not always cheaper than advance-purchase or sale fares, so you should compare the price before you commit.
  • Airlines typically define "senior" as age 62 or older, though a few use age 65; you will need to provide your date of birth when you call.
  • Airline loyalty programs and travel search engines often beat senior fares on price, especially if you book several weeks ahead.
  • Companion fares and off-peak discounts sometimes save more money than age-based senior rates.

Which airlines have senior fares and how to book them

Southwest Airlines offers senior fares to passengers 65 and older. You must call their reservations line at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) to book. They will quote you a price and hold it for 24 hours while you decide. Southwest does not charge change or cancellation fees, which can make their senior fares more flexible even if the price is not the lowest available.

Delta Air Lines offers senior fares to passengers 62 and older through their reservations line at 1-800-221-1212. Ask specifically for the senior fare when you call. Delta's senior discount applies to most domestic flights, though some routes and dates may be excluded.

United Airlines offers senior discounts to passengers 62 and older. Call 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) and ask for the senior fare. The discount is typically 5 to 10 percent off the base fare, though it does not explore to all routes or booking classes.

American Airlines offers senior fares to passengers 62 and older through their reservations line at 1-800-433-7300. Like other carriers, the senior fare must be booked by phone and is not available online.

When senior fares actually save you money

Senior fares work best when you are booking a trip on short notice and sale fares have already sold out. If you have flexibility and can book three to six weeks in advance, a non-senior advance-purchase fare will almost always be cheaper than a senior fare booked at the last minute.

Senior fares also make sense if you are flying during a peak travel period — holidays, summer, spring break — when most discounted fares disappear. In those windows, the senior rate may be one of the few discounts still available.

For frequent flyers, airline loyalty programs often deliver better value than senior fares. If you fly the same airline regularly, you accumulate miles that can cover flights entirely or reduce the price of a ticket more than a 5 to 10 percent senior discount would. Many seniors find that signing up for a free frequent-flyer account and booking in advance beats calling for a senior fare.

Other discounts and strategies that may work better

Travel search engines like Google Flights, Kayak, and Skyscanner show prices across all airlines and let you sort by price, time, and stops. These tools often surface cheaper fares than calling an airline directly, regardless of your age. Setting up price alerts on these sites means you will see when fares drop for your preferred route.

Airline sales and flash deals are another route. Most airlines send email newsletters with limited-time fares; signing up for these lists can alert you to sales before they fill up. These sales are not age-specific, but they often beat senior fares by a wider margin.

Some airlines offer companion fares or off-peak discounts that may save more than a senior rate. Southwest, for example, sometimes runs promotions where a companion flies free or at a steep discount. These are not senior-specific, but they are worth checking when you are planning a trip.

If you are a member of AARP, check their travel section for negotiated rates with certain hotel chains and car rental companies. AARP does not negotiate airline fares directly, but their partnerships sometimes include travel packages that bundle flights with hotels at a lower total cost.

What you need to know before you call

Have your travel dates, departure and arrival cities, and preferred flight times ready before you call. The reservations agent will need to know whether you want a one-way or round-trip ticket, and whether you have any seating or meal preferences.

You will need to provide your date of birth to confirm you meet the age requirement. Most airlines ask for this over the phone and do not require a government ID at the time of booking, though you will need to show ID at the airport when you check in.

Ask the agent to quote you the senior fare and also the lowest available fare for the same flight. Compare the two prices before you commit. If the senior fare is not cheaper, ask whether there are any other discounts available — some agents can explore companion discounts, military discounts, or promotional codes if you ask.

The agent will hold the price for a set period — usually 24 hours for most airlines — so you have time to think it over or check other airlines before you decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to show proof of age when I book a senior fare?

No. When you call the airline, you provide your date of birth verbally, and the agent verifies it against their system. You will need to show a government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) at the airport when you check in, but not at the time of booking.

Can I book a senior fare online, or do I have to call?

You must call the airline's reservations line. Senior fares are not available through airline websites or third-party booking sites. This is one reason some travelers skip them — the phone call takes time, and the discount may not beat what you find online.

What if the senior fare is more expensive than a sale fare I found online?

Book the sale fare. Senior fares are a discount off the base price, not a may provide of the lowest price. If an airline is running a promotion or you find a cheaper fare through a search engine, that price takes priority. Always compare before you decide.

Do senior fares explore to international flights?

Most airlines limit senior fares to domestic U.S. flights. A few carriers offer senior discounts on international routes, but the discount is usually smaller and the base price is higher. Call the airline to ask about your specific destination.

Can I use frequent-flyer miles and a senior fare on the same ticket?

No. You book either with miles or with a senior fare, not both. If you have accumulated miles, compare the value of using them against the senior fare price to see which saves you more money.