How to Get the Best Flight Deals for Seniors

One of the little-known perks of being a senior citizen is the airfare discounts you are entitled to. For those older than 60, many airlines offer discounted fares and tickets, but usually, this is not a publicized fact. With some research, these are the airlines we have uncovered that offer special fares and discounts. Note that all of these airlines provide discounts only with a valid government ID.

1. Southwest Airlines

Arguably the best airline for seniors, their fare discount is not the only reason to use them for travel. Southwest offers fully refundable tickets with discounted fares for anyone above 65 on all flights. However, it is important to note that these discounted fares are not published online. Instead, they must be booked over the phone to avail the discount. The number to call is 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).

2. United

Not all flights are discounted for seniors on United, but select destinations are for passengers over the age of 65. These discounts can be found in the ‘seniors (age 65 and older) category when booking tickets online. Because the list of discounted flights is not really published anywhere, it might also be worth calling United’s reservation department directly at 1-800-241-6522 to find out if your flight is eligible for a discount.

3. Travel aggregators such as Cheapoair

While not an airline per se, there are some travel aggregators that do offer a senior discount. Most notably, flight compare websites such as CheapO Air offer various flight and hotel deals that are specifically geared towards seniors. To find out more about their discounted senior flights, it is best to give them a call directly and book over the phone at 1-855-437-2161. It is also important to note that this by no means a comprehensive list of senior airfare discounts. Many airlines do not publish these details online, but might be able to give lower senior discount fares when booked over the phone. Before booking a flight, try to call the airline you are interested in flying with, to see if they offer any lowered fares. Some airlines that might offer unpublished senior discounts include:

• Alaska Airlines sometimes offers 10% discounts to passengers over the age of 62. Routes vary, so it is best to check online to see if your route is eligible, or call 800-426-0333 prior to booking
• Delta Airlines offers senior discounts for certain international markets such as Equador, Honduras, and Panama. These are not published online, so call 800-221-1212 for more information.