Return to News and Articles

Disappearing Airline Discounts?
Date: August 22, 2007
Author: David Smidt, SeniorDiscounts

On July 1, 2007 United Airlines discontinued its former senior discount program, Silver Wings Plus and is no longer offering annual memberships and will no longer activate, renew or extend annual memberships. (However, United still offers discounts for flyers 65 and older.) Another airline, Virgin Atlantic, has now removed its discount for senior citizens.

Virgin Atlantic offered some discounts on certain routes and fare types to passengers over the age of 60, but as of this late summer has discontinued offering these discounted rates.

While these two airlines have dropped their senior discount programs, there are still a few that extend an extra discount to their older clientele. You just have to know where to look and how to ask for them.

In the age of the Internet and online ticket sales, airlines have become very competitive in their ticket pricing. This is probably the main reason that there are fewer senior discounts now than there were five years ago. This also means that the senior discount may not always be the best price available. While most airlines now guarantee that the best fare can be found on its web site, many still do not provide an online option for searching for the senior rate.

Start with some of the travel sites that enable you to search many of the airlines at the same time. This will provide a good price base from which to work from. Orbitz.com, Sidestep.com, Travelocity.com, or Cheapflights.com are some great sites to begin with. Search the dates and destination you wish to travel and find out what the best prices are and for which airlines. Be sure to check the time of the flights as well as the airport the flight originates and departs from. Long layovers, early or late flights and smaller airports may be the reason for the less expensive tickets.

Once you have established the airlines with the best rates and the times that work for you, compare the prices against those published on the airline’s web site. Now that you have done your research and established the lowest fare, call the airline and ask about its senior discount and its price. This will ensure you are receiving the best deal. Southwest, Continental, ATA, and United will allow you to search for the senior fare online.

Typically the senior discount will be the best rate when traveling at the last minute or during a busy time of the year. Some airlines may also have blackout dates for their senior fares, so check the web site or ask an agent for all of the restrictions. If you are not traveling alone, the senior fare can be a good choice as some airlines will extend the senior fare to a companion regardless of age.

Here are other tips for finding the least expensive price.

• Most airlines will post their lowest fares on the Internet Tuesdays through Thursdays.
• Many airlines and other travel web sites have the ability to e-mail you when the price you would like for a particular trip becomes available.
• Try web sites like Priceline.com. If the day and time you leave and return are flexible, you can place a price bid for that trip.

SeniorDiscounts lists airlines like Southwest, Continental, Hawaiian Airlines and American Airlines and their various senior discounts on its web site at www.seniordiscounts.com.

© SeniorDiscounts

Return to News and Articles