What airlines offer to seniors 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 routes and fares that happen to be low, and seniors find the best prices by booking strategically rather than by claiming an age-based rate. However, some airlines still offer modest perks—priority boarding, checked bag waivers, or companion discounts—that add real value if you fly regularly.

The landscape changed over the past 15 years as airlines moved to dynamic pricing, where the price you pay depends on demand, how far ahead you book, and the route, not your age. A 68-year-old and a 28-year-old sitting next to each other often paid different fares. That shift means your best move is to hunt for low fares using the same tools everyone else uses, then layer on any senior perks your airline offers.

Key Takeaways

  • Most airlines no longer offer senior discounts on base ticket prices; instead, you find low fares by booking early and comparing routes across carriers.
  • Some airlines—including Southwest, United, and American—offer senior-specific perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, or companion discounts that save money if you fly multiple times a year.
  • You typically need to show a government ID proving you are 62 or older at check-in to claim any senior benefit; the age threshold varies slightly by airline.
  • Bundled fares (Basic Economy, Main Cabin, First Class) often include perks that used to be senior-only, so compare what you get in each fare level before assuming a senior add-on saves money.
  • Credit card rewards and airline loyalty programs often deliver bigger savings than senior perks, especially if you fly infrequently.

Which airlines still offer senior perks

Southwest Airlines offers a Senior Fares program for passengers 65 and older. The discount is typically $10 to $20 off the lowest published fare on a given route, which is modest but real if you book a week or two ahead. You must call Southwest directly at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA to book; the discount does not appear online. Southwest also waives the first checked bag for seniors, though that benefit applies to most of their fares anyway.

United Airlines does not advertise a senior fare, but passengers 62 and older can purchase a discounted companion ticket when they buy a full-price ticket. The companion ticket is usually 50 percent off the base fare. This works only if you are traveling with another person and only on select routes; you must book by phone at 1-800-UNITED-1.

American Airlines ended its senior discount program in 2012 and has not reinstated it. However, American does offer priority boarding to passengers 65 and older who hold an AAdvantage credit card, which can save time at the gate and overhead bin space.

Delta Air Lines does not offer a senior-specific discount or fare. Passengers 65 and older do not receive priority boarding unless they hold a paid premium cabin ticket or a Delta credit card.

Alaska Airlines does not offer a senior discount on fares, but passengers 65 and older receive a $5 discount on the purchase of a companion ticket when booked by phone.

How to find and book a senior fare

If an airline offers a senior fare, you almost always must book by phone, not online. The airline's website will not show the discount; you call the reservations line, confirm your age with your birthdate, and the agent applies the rate. Have your ID ready, because you will need to show it at check-in to prove you are the age you claimed.

Before you call, search the airline's website for the route and date you want. Write down the lowest fare you see. Then call and ask the agent to quote the senior fare for the same flight. Compare the two. If the senior fare is lower, book it by phone. If a sale or a lower-demand date has dropped the regular fare below the senior rate, book the regular fare online—there is no penalty for not using the senior discount.

Some airlines require you to book senior fares at least 7 to 14 days in advance. Check the airline's website for the current rules before you call, because the window changes seasonally and by route.

Senior perks beyond the ticket price

Checked baggage waivers are the most common perk. Southwest waives the first checked bag for all passengers, so this is not unique to seniors. United and American charge $35 for the first checked bag on most domestic flights, but some senior fares or companion tickets include one free bag. Read the fine print on the fare you are considering, because this benefit is sometimes bundled into the fare level, not reserved for seniors.

Priority boarding saves you from gate-checking your carry-on and gives you a better choice of overhead bin space. Southwest boards by group (A, B, C), and seniors do not get a special group. United and American offer priority boarding to seniors who hold a co-branded credit card, but not to all seniors. If you fly infrequently, this perk may not be worth the annual credit card fee.

Seat selection and standby policies vary. Some airlines allow seniors to select seats for free or to move to an earlier flight without a change fee, but these policies are not consistent across carriers. Call the airline directly to ask what applies to your booking.

When a senior fare is not the best deal

Airline sales and low-demand flights often undercut senior fares. If you search online and find a $120 round-trip fare on a Tuesday in October, and the senior fare is $140, book the $120 fare. The senior discount is a floor, not a ceiling.

Budget airlines like Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier do not offer senior discounts because their entire model is low base fares plus à la carte add-ons. You may find a cheaper ticket on Spirit than on a legacy carrier, even without a senior discount. Compare total cost, including bags and seat selection, across all airlines before deciding.

Airline credit cards often deliver more value than senior perks. A card that earns 3 to 5 points per dollar spent on airfare can offset the annual fee within one or two round trips. If you fly four or more times a year, a credit card may save you more than a senior discount would.

How to book strategically without relying on senior discounts

Book 3 to 6 weeks ahead for domestic flights. Fares tend to rise as the departure date approaches, so early booking usually beats waiting for a senior discount to explore to a higher base price.

Fly on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday when demand is lower and fares are typically cheaper. Senior discounts explore to all fares equally, so you benefit more from choosing a low-demand day than from claiming a senior rate on a peak day.

Use Google Flights, Kayak, or the airline's own website to compare prices across carriers and dates. Set up price alerts so you know when fares drop. This approach works for all ages and often beats any age-based discount.

Consider flying into or out of a nearby airport if it is cheaper. A flight into Newark instead of LaGuardia, or into Oakland instead of San Francisco, can save $50 to $150 per person. That savings dwarfs most senior discounts.

What to bring when you fly and claim a senior benefit

Bring a government-issued photo ID that shows your birthdate. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. The airline will check your ID at check-in to confirm you are the age you claimed when you booked.

If you booked a senior fare by phone, print or save your confirmation email. It will show the fare type and any perks included. If the airline questions the rate at check-in, you can show the confirmation.

If you are traveling with a companion on a discounted companion ticket, both of you need ID. The companion does not need to be a senior, but the primary ticket holder must be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be 65 to get a senior discount, or is it 62?

It depends on the airline. Southwest requires 65. United and Alaska require 62. American does not offer a senior discount at all. Check the specific airline's website or call their reservations line to confirm the age threshold before you book.

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

You must call. Senior fares do not appear on airline websites. Call the airline's main reservations line, give your birthdate, and ask for the senior fare. The agent will quote it and book it over the phone. You will receive a confirmation email.

What if I book a regular fare and then find out a senior fare was cheaper?

Most airlines allow you to call and rebook at the lower senior fare within 24 hours of your original booking, though policies vary. Call the airline when ready if you discover the difference. Some airlines will not refund the difference; they will only rebook you on the cheaper fare going forward.

Is a senior discount worth it if I only fly once a year?

Probably not. A $10 to $20 discount on one round trip does not add up to much. If you fly four or more times a year, the savings accumulate. If you fly once or twice, focus on booking early and choosing low-demand dates instead.

Do senior discounts explore to international flights?

Rarely. Most senior fares are domestic only. International fares are priced differently and are often cheaper when booked far in advance than any senior discount would make them. Check with the airline, but assume international flights do not may have access to.