When it comes to affordable travel for older passengers, the Southwest Airlines Senior Discount has long been a popular topic among travelers aged 65 and above. Known for its budget-friendly fares and excellent customer service, Southwest Airlines continues to be a favorite choice for millions of U.S. passengers each year. Although the airline has discontinued its traditional senior discount program, there are still several smart ways for seniors to save on Southwest flights through flexible fares, special offers, and Rapid Rewards points.
If you’re a senior traveler — or booking for one — this 2025 guide explains everything you need to know about the Southwest Airlines Senior Discount, current policies, eligibility, and money-saving tips. For personalized booking support, you can contact Southwest Airlines customer service at +1-877-593-4887.
Quick Overview: Southwest Airlines Senior Discount
- Current Status (2025): Southwest Airlines no longer offers a separate Senior Discount Fare. The program was officially discontinued on December 11, 2019.
- Age Requirement (Earlier): Previously, passengers aged 65 and older were eligible for reduced “Senior Fares.” These fares are now merged into standard fare options.
- Booking Options for Seniors: Travelers can choose from Southwest’s existing fare types — Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, or Business Select — each with flexible features, refundable options, and Rapid Rewards eligibility.
- Refund & Change Policy: Even without a senior discount, Southwest remains one of the few U.S. airlines that offers free flight changes and no cancellation fees (fare difference may apply).
- Best Alternatives for Seniors: Join Rapid Rewards for free flights, watch for seasonal fare sales on Southwest.com, use senior travel credit cards for cashback, and book Wanna Get Away fares early for the lowest prices.
- Priority Services: While there’s no dedicated senior boarding, travelers with mobility challenges can request preboarding or assistance at the airport.
- Baggage Perk: Southwest continues to offer two free checked bags, saving seniors extra costs on luggage.
- Travel Assistance: Need help booking or checking for the best available fares? Contact Southwest’s live agents at +1-877-593-4887 for 24/7 guidance.
- Policy Note: The removal of the senior discount aligns with Southwest’s move toward transparent, dynamic pricing, ensuring that all travelers access the best available rate regardless of age.
Pro Tip: Even though Southwest no longer offers a specific senior fare, you can still save significantly. Book early, stay flexible with travel dates, and sign up for fare alerts.
For help comparing prices or confirming senior-friendly travel options, call +1-877-593-4887 — a Southwest specialist can guide you to the best and most affordable deal for your trip.
What Is the Southwest Airlines Senior Discount?
The Southwest Airlines Senior Discount was once a special fare type designed to provide reduced ticket prices for travelers aged 65 and older. Seniors could book these discounted fares directly through the Southwest website, customer service line, or at airport ticket counters. These fares were fully refundable, giving older travelers extra flexibility.
However, Southwest Airlines officially discontinued its senior discount program in 2019. While a separate “senior fare” no longer exists, seniors can still find great deals through Wanna Get Away fares, Rapid Rewards points, and seasonal flight promotions in 2025. To explore the latest fare options and discounts, contact Southwest Airlines customer care at +1-877-593-4887 for personalized assistance.
What Is the Senior Discount Age for Southwest Airlines?
Historically, the Southwest Airlines Senior Discount Age applied to travelers who were 65 years or older. Eligible passengers could book reduced fares and enjoy refundable tickets without needing to verify age online — only during check-in or at the gate.
Although Southwest officially ended its senior discount program, the 65+ age group can still find value through Wanna Get Away fares, Rapid Rewards promotions, and seasonal travel deals in 2025. Seniors should check Southwest’s website regularly for limited-time offers or holiday discounts that provide similar savings. For personalized assistance or the latest senior-friendly deals, contact Southwest Airlines customer service at +1-877-593-4887.
Does Southwest Airlines Offer Senior Discounts in 2025?
As of 2025, Southwest Airlines does not offer a dedicated senior discount fare. According to the Southwest airline discontinued its senior fares several years ago.
- Official Statement: Southwest confirms they no longer provide senior fares or age-based discounts.
- Industry Sources: Travel policy and senior discount sites note that while senior fares were once offered, they have been phased out across most U.S. airlines.
- Alternative Savings: Seniors can still benefit from Wanna Get Away fares, Rapid Rewards points, and flash sales.
Conclusion: In 2025, Southwest no longer maintains a specific senior discount program, but seniors can still access affordable fares through loyalty rewards, sales, and early booking offers.
How to Get a Senior Discount on Southwest Airlines?
Although Southwest Airlines no longer offers an official senior discount fare, travelers aged 65+ can still find great savings using a few proven methods.
- Call Southwest Reservations: Contact +1-877-593-4887 and ask if any route-specific or limited senior fares are available. Some regional or promotional offers occasionally appear.
- Join Rapid Rewards: Create a free Rapid Rewards account to earn points on every flight and redeem them for free or discounted travel.
- Use the Low Fare Calendar: Southwest’s Low Fare Calendar highlights the cheapest dates to fly—ideal for flexible seniors.
- Book Early (Up to 11 Months Ahead): Southwest releases its schedule roughly 11 months in advance, and the lowest fares often vanish quickly. Combine early booking with fare alerts for maximum savings.
- Monitor Sales & Flash Deals: Check Special Offers frequently to grab limited-time discounts and promotional fares before they expire.
- Be Flexible: Mid-week or off-peak flights often cost less. Try nearby airports for cheaper options and better connections.
Tip: While there’s no dedicated “Senior Discount Southwest Airlines” program anymore, combining early booking, loyalty rewards, and sale alerts can help seniors match or even exceed the savings once offered through the old senior fares.
How to Apply for a Senior Discount on Southwest Airlines Tickets
Since the Southwest Airlines Senior Discount program was discontinued, travelers can’t apply a specific discount code during checkout. However, seniors can still enjoy similar savings using other fare types and loyalty benefits. Here’s how to do it:
- Visit the Southwest Website: Go to Southwest.com and use the “Low Fare Calendar” to find the cheapest travel dates.
- Select “Wanna Get Away” or “Wanna Get Away Plus” fares: These are often priced significantly lower than Business Select fares but still include flexibility and rewards.
- Sign in to your Rapid Rewards account: Redeem points, apply vouchers, and view exclusive offers for members. Join here if you don’t have an account.
- Compare dates and fare classes: Check multiple travel days and times for the best fare combinations. Fares open roughly 11 months in advance, so early booking gives seniors the lowest prices.
- Need Help? Call Southwest Reservations: For personalized fare support or Rapid Rewards redemption, call +1-877-593-4887.
Tip: While you can’t directly “apply” for a senior fare anymore, combining Wanna Get Away pricing, early booking, and Rapid Rewards points often provides savings that match or exceed the old senior discount rates.
Understanding the Southwest Airlines Senior Discount Policy
Here are key policy points to be aware of when it comes to senior discounts (or the lack thereof) on Southwest:
- The official policy: Southwest does not offer senior fares.
- Older “senior fare” rules (when they existed) said only the traveller aged 65 or older in the party qualified for that fare.
- Some sources warn that senior fares, when they existed, were often “cheaper refundable rates” rather than the deepest “Wanna Get Away” fares.
- Fares are subject to availability — if a senior fare existed, seats would be limited.
- Because Southwest no longer advertises a senior fare, the route-specific possibility may depend on travel agent inventory or older fare buckets.
In essence: the senior-discount policy is effectively expired as a formal fare category; seniors should treat Southwest like any other traveller and apply general cost-saving tactics.
What Is the Refund Policy for Senior Discount Tickets?
If you did manage to book a senior fare (in the past or through a rare special), what was the refund policy? And how does that translate today for standard fares on Southwest?
- For when senior fares existed: blog sources said full refund (in cash) was possible if cancelled at least 10 minutes prior to departure.
- For general Southwest fares now: Southwest offers flexibility. While specifics depend on fare class (Wanna Get Away vs Anytime etc.), the airline has a generous change-and-cancellation policy compared to many carriers.
- When booking any fare, double-check the fare class you are purchasing. Even though it’s not labelled “senior discount”, the fare rules apply equally to all passengers.
Tip: you won’t find unique senior-ticket refund rules now (since the senior fare class is gone), but you’ll still benefit from Southwest’s standard refund/change rules applicable to your fare class.
Tips for Booking the Best Senior Fare on Southwest Airlines
Even without a formal senior discount, older travelers can still unlock great savings on Southwest Airlines with smart timing and booking strategies:
- Book when schedule opens (about 11 months ahead) — the cheapest fares often vanish first.
- Travel midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday) or during off-peak seasons to avoid price spikes.
- Use Southwest’s Low Fare Calendar to find the most affordable travel days.
- Join Rapid Rewards — points accumulate over time and can offset future flights.
- Monitor fare drops — Southwest allows free changes on most fares, so you can rebook and save if prices fall.
- Check nearby airports — smaller regional airports often have lower prices.
- Be flexible — adjusting your date or time can yield major savings.
- Call +1-877-593-4887 — sometimes unpublished senior-friendly fares are available directly through agents.
How Seniors Can Save on Southwest Airlines — Tips, Perks, and Smart Booking
Even though Southwest Airlines no longer offers a senior discount, travelers aged 65+ can still fly affordably by using a few smart tactics. Book early—fares open about 11 months ahead—and check the Low Fare Calendar for the cheapest dates. Join Rapid Rewards to earn free flights, and monitor Special Offers for flash sales. Seniors also benefit from no change fees, free checked bags, and easy refunds—perks that often beat competitors like Delta or American. With flexibility and timing, seniors can match or even beat old “senior fare” savings.
Other Ways Seniors Can Save on Southwest Airlines
While Southwest no longer has a dedicated senior fare, these methods can help you maximize your travel value:
- Sign up for sale alerts — Southwest’s Special Offers page often includes senior-friendly flash sales.
- Use Rapid Rewards Credit Card — earn points, companion passes, and free flights faster.
- Bundle travel — book flight + hotel + car packages to save up to 25%.
- Group travel — seniors flying together may qualify for group fare discounts.
- Travel light — Southwest still offers two free checked bags, saving seniors extra costs.
Southwest Eliminating Senior Citizen Discounts — What It Means
For seniors accustomed to searching for “senior discounts” on airlines, the elimination of a formal senior fare at Southwest has implications:
- It means that age alone will not guarantee a lower labelled fare on Southwest.
- Seniors must compete in the same fare marketplace as everyone else — using the same strategies travellers of any age use.
- The airline’s pricing model has shifted—dynamic pricing, seat-inventory based, less reliance on special-age buckets.
- That means: the best deal might not be the “senior fare” (if it existed) but whichever fare is lowest — regardless of your age.
- If you relied on senior discounts with other carriers, you might need to adjust expectations when flying Southwest.
In other words: age is no longer a discount lever at Southwest — but smart travel planning is still powerful.
Conclusion
When searching for the Southwest Airlines senior discount, the clarity is this: there is no longer a dedicated senior fare category for 65+ passengers on Southwest. The airline’s website confirms: “Southwest does not offer senior fares.” However, that doesn’t mean seniors can’t find excellent value — by booking early, being flexible with travel dates, comparing fare classes, and staying alert for sales, they can still secure competitive fares on Southwest. If you’re planning a trip, call +1-877-593-4887, compare the available fare classes, and use the strategies above to net the best available rate. Age may not get you a “senior discount” label any more — but savvy booking still gets you savings.