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9 Airlines That Offer Military, Veteran Discounts

Vets and servicemembers are eligible for discounted airfare, free checked bags, among other perks

Grandmother welcoming her Grandchild at the airport
Getty Images
By
Brittany Hackett
 
Published July 13, 2021

 | A number of airlines offer veterans and members of the military discounts on airfare, checked bags and other fees. Offers may change, so check the airline’s website for the latest information. Most require documentation to confirm your military status, such as a valid military ID or travel orders, so be sure to bring it with you.

Alaska Airlines

Eligibility: Active-duty military (and their dependents) and those enrolled in Veterans Advantage

Discounts:

  • Discounted military fares for active-duty military members are available in some markets only when purchased by phone.
  • Veterans Advantage members may receive a 5 percent discount.
  • First five bags up to 70 pounds are free ($100 for each additional bag)
  • Dependents are eligible only if on travel orders (usually $30 for first bag up to 50 pounds and $100 each for three or more bags).
  • 15 percent discount on food purchased during flight using a military ID
  • Alaska Lounge day passes complimentary for active-duty military on travel orders
  • Trained service animals travel for free with proper documentation. Additional pet shipping discount available on Alaska Air Cargo with military orders.
  • Early boarding

What to do:

  • Call 800-252-7522 to see if your route is eligible for a military discount (available only when booked by phone).
  • Valid active-duty ID must be presented, and dependents age 10 or older must also present a military dependent ID

Allegiant Air

Eligibility: Active-duty military, veterans, Reserves (and their dependents)

Discounts:

  • Up to three free checked bags, less than 100 pounds each (each bag typically costs $25 to $50)
  • No charge for oversize checked bags (usually cost up to $75, depending on weight)
  • One free carry-on bag, within Allegiant size limits (usually cost $10 to $75, depending on size)
  • Free boarding pass printing (normally $5) and free seat assignment (can cost up to $80 at the time of booking, depending on seat choice)
  • Up to one free pet in cabin (normally $50)
  • Early boarding
  • No cancellation fees

What to do:

  • Provide military ID

American Airlines

Eligibility: Active-duty military (and their families) and veterans enrolled in Veterans Advantage

Discounts:

  • Government and military fares offered in some markets
  • Military veterans and their families can save 10 percent on flights by enrolling in VetRewards and booking through Veterans Advantage.
  • Up to five free checked bags at 100 pounds each when traveling on orders (usually costs $25 for the first bag and up to $200 per bag for four or more)
  • Up to three free checked bags at 50 pounds each when not traveling on orders; does not apply to dependents (usually costs $30 for the first bag and up to $200 per bag for four or more)
  • Early boarding
  • Military and police dogs are waived of pet charges if on official duty with written documents. Checked pets are accepted at the ticket counter for active-duty personnel traveling on orders.

What to do:

  • Contact AA Reservations at 800-433-7300 for more information on military fares.
  • Present military ID and travel orders if applicable at check-in to claim baggage discounts.

Delta Air Lines

Eligibility: Active-duty military (and their families)

Discounts:

  • Discounted flights for travel on military orders or personal travel (discounts vary depending on flight)
  • Exclusive military discounts through Delta Vacations (savings of up to $300)
  • Up to five free checked bags at 100 pounds each when on travel orders (usually $30 for the first bag and $40 for a second)
  • Up to two free checked bags at 50 pounds each when on leisure travel
  • Pets accepted as checked baggage, up to two kennels per flight
  • Early boarding

What to do:

  • For discounted flights, call Delta Reservations at 800-221-1212.
  • To book through Delta Vacations, submit your military email in the “Before You Book” box on the Delta Vacations page. You’ll receive an email with a personal e-certificate number from Delta, as well as redemption instructions.
  • Present military ID at check-in to claim baggage discounts.

Frontier Airlines

Eligibility: Active-duty military, including Reserves and National Guard

Discounts:

  • One free personal item, one free carry-on and two free checked bags (carry-on bags start at $35 and checked bags go up to $95 each beginning with the third bag)

What to do:

  • Present military ID at check-in.

Hawaiian Airlines

Eligibility: Active-duty or retired military personnel (and, some cases, their dependents)

Discounts:

  • Up to four free checked bags of up to 70 pounds when traveling on military orders (usually $30 for first bag and $100 each for three or more bags up to 50 pounds)
  • Up to two free checked in bags per person (up to 50 pounds) on leisure travel (does not apply to dependents)
  • Veterans Advantage members eligible for 5 percent discount across all service classes

What to do:

  • Present military ID at check-in

Jet Blue

Eligibility: Active-duty military (and their immediate families), retired veterans, National Guard, Reserve

Discounts:

  • 5 percent off fares and two free checked bags for Veterans Advantage members
  • Active-duty military not traveling on orders can use a special military-class fare (MIL), which removes advance-purchase requirements and provides a 5 percent discount on a nonrefundable base fare.
  • Up to five free bags per person for active-duty military and their dependents with travel orders (usually start at $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second)
  • Up to two bags per person for active-duty military and their dependents traveling for leisure

What to do:

  • Call 800-JETBLUE (538-2583) and provide your VetRewards card member ID to take advantage of the 5 percent discount.
  • Call 800-JETBLUE (538-2583) and identify yourself as military to receive the special MIL fare. You will be asked to provide your name, branch of service and military rank.
  • Present military ID at check-in to claim free bag discounts

Spirit Airlines

Eligibility: Active-duty military

Discounts:

  • Two free checked bags and a free carry-on, in addition to the already free personal item. Dependents are not included.

What to do:

United

Eligibility: Active-duty military, National Guard, Reserve (and their families) and veterans enrolled in Veterans Advantage

Discounts:

  • Up to 5 percent off with Veterans Advantage for fares purchased on United.com (travel must originate in the U.S. or Canada, and discount applies only to destinations in U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and transatlantic)
  • Active-duty military may check an extra bag for free (dependents are included in some cases)
  • Free access to the United Club airport lounge for members in uniform or with leave orders or rest and recuperation papers. Military ID, boarding pass and sponsoring documentation must also be presented (for active-duty military only).

What to do:

  • To get the 5 percent discount, enter your 10-digit Veterans Advantage travel discount code in the “Offer Code” section when booking on United’s website.
  • Present your military ID at check-in to claim the baggage discount.

Editor’s note: This article, originally published in 2017, has been updated to reflect 2021 discounts.

AARP Travel Center

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