Most airlines offer senior fares, but you have to ask for them
Airlines do not advertise senior discounts the way they used to. You will not see them listed on the main website. Instead, you call the airline directly, tell them your age, and ask what senior fares are available for your dates. Some airlines require you to be 62 or older; others start at 65. The discount is usually 5 to 10 percent off the base fare, though it varies by route and season.
The catch is that senior fares come with restrictions. You often cannot change or cancel the ticket, or you pay a fee to do so. You may have to book within a certain window before your flight. And the discount does not always beat what you would pay using a coupon code, booking through a travel site, or flying on a Tuesday instead of Friday. You have to compare.
The airlines that consistently offer senior fares are the major carriers: American, Delta, United, Southwest, and Alaska. Smaller airlines and budget carriers like Frontier or Spirit rarely do. If you are flying a budget airline, skip the senior fare search and look for their standard promotions instead.
Key Takeaways
- Senior fares require a phone call to the airline; they are not shown online, and may be able to access starts at age 62 or 65 depending on the carrier.
- The discount is typically 5 to 10 percent and comes with restrictions on changes, cancellations, and booking windows.
- You should compare the senior fare price to what you would pay through a travel website, a promotional code, or by shifting your travel dates before you book.
- Major carriers like American, Delta, United, Southwest, and Alaska offer senior fares; budget airlines usually do not.
- If you fly frequently, a senior travel pass or membership program may save more money than booking individual discounted fares.
How to find the senior fare for your airline
Call the airline's reservations line and say you want to book a flight. When the agent asks for your name and date of birth, tell them your age and ask if they have a senior fare for your route and dates. Do not book online first and then call to ask for a discount — the agent cannot retroactively explore it. You have to ask before you book.
Have your travel dates, departure and arrival cities, and preferred times ready before you call. The agent will show you what senior fares are available and what the restrictions are. Write down the fare amount, the restrictions, and the confirmation number if you decide to book. Keep that confirmation email; you will need it at check-in.
If the senior fare is higher than what you see on Google Flights or Kayak, ask the agent what the unrestricted economy fare costs. Sometimes the senior fare is not the best deal on that particular route. The agent can also tell you if booking on a different date would lower the price.
Comparing senior fares to other discounts
Before you book a senior fare, spend five minutes checking other options. Search the same route and dates on Google Flights, Kayak, or Expedia. Look at what the lowest available fare is, what airline it is on, and what the restrictions are. Then compare that price to the senior fare the agent quoted you.
Also check whether the airline is running a promotion. Many airlines send email promotions to past passengers, and those codes sometimes beat the senior fare. If you are a member of AARP, check whether AARP has negotiated a discount with that airline — some do, and the code is listed on the AARP website.
Finally, consider whether shifting your travel dates would save money. Flying on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday is often cheaper than flying on Friday or Sunday, even without a senior discount. If you have flexibility, search a week-long range of dates and see what the lowest price is across all of them.
Senior travel passes and membership programs
If you fly more than once or twice a year, a senior travel membership may pay for itself. Southwest offers a Senior Fare Card, which gives you access to discounted fares for a year. The card costs money upfront, but if you take several flights, the savings add up. You buy the card online, and then you use it to book senior fares through Southwest's website or by phone.
American Airlines, Delta, and United do not have a dedicated senior membership, but they all have frequent flyer programs that offer discounts to members. If you fly the same airline regularly, joining the frequent flyer program is free and can earn you miles toward future flights or upgrades.
Some travel agencies specialize in senior travel and negotiate group rates with airlines. If you are traveling with a group of seniors, a travel agent may be able to find a better price than you would on your own. Ask friends or your local senior center whether they have a travel agent they recommend.
What to know about senior fare restrictions
Senior fares usually come with at least one restriction. The most common are: you cannot change the date or time of your flight, or you can change it but pay a fee (often $50 to $100). You cannot cancel and get a refund, or you can cancel but only for a travel credit. You have to book within a certain number of days before your flight — sometimes 14 days, sometimes 7 days, sometimes 3 days.
Ask the agent to explain the restrictions before you confirm the booking. Write them down. If you think you might need to change your flight, a senior fare with a change fee may not be worth the discount. If your plans are firm, the restrictions matter less.
Some airlines waive or reduce restrictions during sales or for certain routes. If you are flexible about when you travel, calling the airline a few times over a month can sometimes turn up a better senior fare with fewer strings attached.
Senior discounts on hotels and car rentals
Many hotel chains and car rental companies offer senior discounts that you can combine with a discounted flight. Hotels like Best Western, Choice Hotels, and Marriott have senior rates that are typically 10 percent off. Car rental companies like Hertz, Avis, and Enterprise offer senior discounts as well, though the amount varies.
These discounts are usually not advertised on the main website either. Call the hotel or car rental company directly and ask what senior rate they have. You may need to show your ID at check-in to prove your age. Some hotels and rental companies require membership in AARP or another senior organization to get the discount; others do not.
If you are booking a package (flight, hotel, and car together), check whether the package price beats booking each piece separately with senior discounts. Sometimes it does, sometimes it does not. A travel agent can help you compare.
Tips for booking senior fares smoothly
Call early in the morning or late in the evening, when the airline's phone lines are less busy. You will wait on hold for a shorter time. Have your ID ready — the agent may ask you to confirm your date of birth.
If the agent tells you a senior fare is not available for your dates, ask whether it is available for nearby dates. Sometimes shifting by a day or two opens up a senior fare. If the agent says senior fares are sold out, ask when they expect more inventory. Some airlines release senior fares in waves.
After you book, check your confirmation email to make sure the senior fare was applied. If it was not, call the airline back right away and ask them to correct it. Do not wait until the day of your flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a member of AARP to get a senior airline discount?
No. Most airlines offer senior fares to anyone who meets their age requirement (usually 62 or 65), regardless of AARP membership. However, some airlines have negotiated additional discounts for AARP members, so it is worth checking the AARP website to see if your airline is one of them.
Can I book a senior fare online, or do I have to call?
Most airlines require you to call to book a senior fare. A few, like Southwest, let you book senior fares on their website if you have a Senior Fare Card. Check your airline's website to see whether they offer online senior booking; if not, you will need to call.
What if I book a senior fare and then need to cancel?
That depends on the airline's restrictions for that particular fare. Some senior fares cannot be cancelled at all. Others can be cancelled for a travel credit (which you can use toward a future flight) but not for a cash refund. Ask the agent to explain the cancellation policy before you book, and get it in writing.
Are senior fares cheaper on certain airlines?
Senior fares vary by airline and route. There is no airline that is always cheapest. The best approach is to call two or three airlines that fly your route and compare the senior fares they quote you. You may find that one airline is significantly cheaper than the others for your specific dates.
Can I use a senior fare if I am traveling with my grandchild?
Yes, but only for your own ticket. Your grandchild would need to book a regular fare unless they also meet the airline's age requirement for a senior discount. Some airlines offer family discounts or companion fares that might save money on both tickets; ask the agent whether any are available for your route.