How and where senior travelers can save
While senior airfare discounts are not as common as they used to be, some airlines still offer them. The most common is for 10 percent off of the full fare price of a flight, with the age generally available for those over the age of 60 or 65. A note of caution, however: While 10 percent off may sound great at first, the savings may be skewed by ever-rising flight prices. Still, it’s worthwhile to start by checking for the senior price.
Airlines that offer senior discounts on flights
- Air France: Air France offers a Senior Pass with special benefits and discounts for travelers aged 65 and over. To get the discount, just provide your Senior Pass number when booking online or by calling +33 (0) 9 69 39 36 54 (toll-free). The traveler needs to present the senior pass at the airport. The discount applies only to flights operated by Air France and is not available across all countries.
- American Airlines: American Airlines offers discounts for seniors aged 65 and over on select routes, When booking online, select ‘Senior (65+)’ under the ‘Passengers’ section. If a senior discount is applicable to your selected flight, it will be applied automatically. Alternatively, travelers can call American Airlines at 1-800-433-7300 to inquire about senior discounts and make reservations.
- British Airways: British Airways partners with the AARP in giving special discounts to AARP members, including seniors, ranging from 5% to 50% on certain US flights. To get the discount, flights must be booked through the member’s AARP page, valid until January 31, 2026.
- Delta: Delta offers senior discounts on certain markets, but they aren’t available online, so travelers should call 1-800-221-1212 to check eligibility.
- United Airlines: United offers senior citizen discounts for passengers 65 years of age or older in certain markets and for certain flight routes. Contact United’s reservations department at 1-800-241-6522 to find out if a senior discount is applicable for a particular flight.
Many of the airlines’ regular discount fares are cheaper than senior fares. If you’re not able to find a senior discount, there are still ways to find low-cost airfare:
- Sign up for airline and travel newsletters and deal alerts.
- Be flexible with your dates. For example, the savings can often be significant if you’re willing to depart on a Tuesday morning rather than a Friday evening.
- Be aware of fees. Airlines now tend to charge fees for things like checked baggage, food and more, so think ahead by packing only a carry-on, dodging change fees and bringing your own snacks on board.
- One last thing to remember: While senior travel fares may sometimes cost more than the airline’s online-only specials, there can be advantages to booking these discounted tickets. Senior fares may not be as restrictive as other tickets, and can sometimes be used to snag last-minute travel deals. They are often refundable, too, if you have to cancel your flight.
- Always check the details and restrictions when buying a flight; if you can’t find the fine print on the website, call the airline.
- Book in advance: Prices are often lower when booking flights in advance.
- Consider alternative airports: Flying to or from nearby airports can sometimes result in lower fares.
- Utilize Frequent Flyer programs: Earn and redeem miles for discounted or free flights.
- Look for Promo Codes: Check for promotional codes or special offers that can further reduce fares. By utilizing these strategies, you can increase your chances of finding affordable airfare for your travels.
