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Travel More for Less – Southwest Airlines Senior Discount

April 16, 2024

Travel More for Less – Southwest Airlines Senior Discount

Are you a senior traveler wishing to book your next flight on Southwest Airlines? Then you are in the right place. Here, we have answered all your questions related to senior flight booking, senior discounts, how seniors can save on flights, alternative options, Southwest Airlines senior citizen policy, and more. Every traveler these days looks for deals, offers, rebates, and cheap flights to make their flight trip extra memorable and affordable. So, let’s know about the special Southwest Airlines senior discount offer. And also how you can enhance your savings while booking by searching out affordable alternatives. 

Can I get a Senior Discount with Southwest Airlines?

Now, the airlines have discontinued issuing the Southwest senior discount to travelers aged 65 or older. Since its discontinuation, all travelers, regardless of age, must book from the standard fare classes (Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra), with no senior pricing. Yet there are some strategies could still enable Cheap flights for seniors that help you save a lot, like checking out Southwest’s low fare calendar, joining the Rapid Rewards loyalty program, staying alert for flash sales, Cash + Points, and careful selection of fare bundle (say Basic for a pretty low cost and Choice Extra for maximum perks). Anyone can take advantage of these exciting deals and amazing, affordable options offered by Southwest Airlines.

Innovative Strategies for Seniors to Save on Southwest Flights

Book your flights now, and enjoy these options. Southwest Airlines might not offer senior flight discounts, but it provides various opportunities to grab affordable flights without any age restriction: 

1. Use the Low Fare Calendar

Southwest's Low Fare Calendar is a helpful tool that shows the lowest fare for any particular date in a specified month. Everyone, including seniors, can identify the cheapest days to book, and you may get such affordable deals that you may not require a Southwest Airlines discount for seniors

2. Keep Your Booking Early and Be Flexible

The airlines open up the flight ticket sale almost 11 months in advance. Senior travelers can save more money by booking flights as soon they become available. The cheapest day to take flight is during the week of during the shoulder season, like late of spring and early fall, when very few people are traveling. 

3. Join Rapid Rewards

Join Southwest's free loyalty program, and earn points with every flight you take. These points can be redeemed for flights, hotel rooms, and more travel benefits. If travelers manage these points well enough, they stand to actually get discounted travel or perks on top of the senior discount. 

4. Subscribe to Fare Alerts

Southwest frequently runs sales and flash promotions. Sign up via email or text them on their social media platforms to receive updates on low‑fare offers before planning your next trip. Being on the list gives you a head start. You can also enquire about Senior discount Southwest

5. Consider Cash + Points Booking

If you have some Rapid Rewards points, use the Cash + Points option. This allows passengers to blend cash and points to purchase a ticket and earn points on the cash portion. This approach stretches your resources and builds future value.

6. Bundle Flight, Hotel, or Car

Flight, hotel, or flight and car combinations usually offer discounted package rates through Southwest Vacations, which can save significantly more than booking them individually. 

7. Timing & Choice of Route

Traveling to or from secondary airports, where fees may be lower, offers a slight price advantage. Also, consider off‑peak or less popular routes. Southwest’s low fare calendar can highlight those options.

How Southwest’s New Fare Bundles Affect Savvy Seniors?

Although you may not get Southwest Airlines senior fares, travelers can make choices based on value, flexibility, rewards, and extras, rather than their age.

  • Basic: Grab lowest price flights, with an assigned seat at check-in, limited credit validity (6 months), last boarding, no checked bags, and 2 rapid reward points per dollar.
  • Choice: Mid‑level bundle with seat choice at booking, general boarding, 6× points per dollar, 12‑month transferable credit, same‑day standby, and no free checked bag.
  • Choice Preferred: Preferred seat selection, early boarding, 10× points for every dollar, full refund or transferable credit, priority lines, and more flexibility.
  • Choice Extra: The highest-tier bundle had extra-legroom seating, web check-in, early boarding A1-A15, 14 points per dollar, two free checked bags, free in-flight internet, and priority lanes. 

Even without a senior discount, regular travelers could choose fare bundles according to what their personal preferences are in terms of comfort, flexibility, or rewards.

Additional Savings Tips Especially Helpful to Seniors

Implement all these essential tips before booking. So, next time you fly, spend more saving on flight bookings and on the rest of your vacation. 

  • Avoid booking in the days leading to major travel dates since airfares tend to increase very massively around major holidays or spring break.
  • Get the maximum value for your points by learning about Southwest's unlimited reward seat guarantee and no blackout dates. Your Rapid Rewards points can be worth a great value if applied strategically. 
  • Cancel early if needed! Southwest offers flight ticket cancellation credits, allowing seniors to retain some value if their plans change. 
  • Consider group rates when traveling with some family or friends-it could bring better pricing after all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ans. No, it is not. Southwest has discontinued this program for selling tickets to senior passengers. Since then, seniors have been able to book all fares with no age discounts.

Ans. Passengers aged 65 years are counted as senior citizens in southwest airlines. While there is no specific senior fare, seniors can still save using the low fare calendar to find the cheapest travel days, booking early, and other methods.

Ans. Yes! Basic offers the lowest upfront price. Choice adds more flexibility and points. Choice Preferred includes refundability and early boarding. Choice Extra offers maximum rewards, comfort, and perks, including complimentary bags.