Find The Best Military Discount Flights

Many airlines offer free checked bags, discounted tickets, lounge access, early boarding, and other perks to active and retired service members as a thank you for their service. Some even allow waived or reduced fees for pets when traveling on orders. However, these discounts vary widely by airline – and they’re subject to change at any time.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• How to qualify for military flight discounts
• A quick-reference table of available airline discounts
• Detailed information on each airline’s policies and perks

We will also discuss how to use travel credit cards to save even more, including the best credit cards that offer waived annual fees under the SCRA and MLA.

How to Get Military Discounts on Flights

Most airlines require service members to provide some form of proof of service, such as:

• Travel orders (for flights on official military business)
• Valid Military ID (active duty, guard, reserve, or retired)
• DoD card (for official travel)

Depending on the airline, these documents may need to be shown at the time of booking (often by phone) or at the ticket counter during check-in.

Additionally, some airlines only extend these perks to active duty and their dependents, while others may include veterans and retirees.

Military Ticket Discounts and Free Baggage Deals

The following table outlines the basics of airlines’ free baggage deals and military discount airline tickets. See below for a full list of discounts.

Airline	Flight ticket discount?	How to claim ticket discount	Free baggage amount	Baggage deal eligibility
Air Canada	No	Not offered	3 bags	Active and retired military
Air France	No	Not offered	2 bags on leisure, 5 bags on orders	Active military only
Alaska Airlines	5%* & exclusive fares	WeSalute+ or call 1-800-252-7522 for fares	5 bags	Active military only
Allegiant Airlines	No	Not offered	2 bags	Active and retired military
Breeze Airways	No	Not offered	2 bags	Active military only
Delta Airlines	$300	Order discounted flights through Delta Vacations: 1-800-800-1504	2 bags on leisure, 5 bags on orders	Active military only
Frontier Airlines	No	Not offered	2 bags	Active military only
Hawaiian Airlines	5%*	WeSalute+	2 bags for leisure, 5 bags on orders	Active military only for leisure; active and retired military when on orders
JetBlue	5%*	WeSalute+	5 bags on orders	Active military only
United Airlines	5%*	WeSalute+	Extra baggage checked for free	Active military only
Lufthansa Airlines	5%*	WeSalute+	Extra baggage checked for free	Active and retired military
Southwest Airlines	Exclusive fares	Call 1-800-435-9792 or visit ticket counter	2 bags, no fee for additional bags	Active military only
Spirit Airlines	No	Not offered	2 bags	Active military only
American Airlines	10%* & exclusive fares	WeSalute+ or 800-433-7300 for fares	3 bags for leisure; 5 bags on orders	Active military  only

Airline policies are subject to change. Therefore, we encourage you to verify the discount with your airline.

What is Veterans Advantage / WeSalute?

WeSalute (formerly Veterans Advantage) is a paid subscription service (WeSalute+) for U.S. active duty military, veterans, National Guard, reservists, and their families. Since 2000, it has partnered with many major airlines, hotels, and retail brands to offer discounts to the military community.

WeSalute+ members can claim exclusive flight discounts with airlines such as Alaska, JetBlue, Hawaiian, United, Lufthansa, Southwest, and American. A WeSalute+ membership may pay for itself quickly if you travel often or make large purchases through partnered brands.

Military Discounts By Airline

Below is a more detailed look at each airline’s perks for service members. Always verify policies with the airline before booking or traveling, as rules can change at any time.

Air Canada

• Ticket Discount: None publicly advertised.
• Baggage: Generally offers 3 free checked bags (up to 70 lbs each) for active duty and retired U.S. military.
• Notes: Confirm eligibility at the ticket counter with a valid military ID.

Air France

• Ticket Discount: None publicly advertised.
• Baggage:
  • On Orders: Up to 5 free 70 lb. bags for active duty and dependents on official orders.
  • Leisure: 2 free 50 lb. bags for active duty.
• Notes: Official Air France sources confirm extra baggage allowances for active U.S. military; must show orders if traveling on duty.

Alaska Airlines

• Ticket Discount:
  • May offer special military fares by phone for active duty and dependents. Fares only available when purchasing by phone at 1-800-252-7522.
  • A 5% discount may be available through Veterans Advantage / WeSalute+.
• Baggage:
  • On Orders: 5 free 50 lb. bags for active duty and dependents.
  • Leisure: Typically 2 free 50 lb. bags for active duty (though check the latest policy).
• Notes: Alaska Airlines’ website confirms active duty baggage benefits; call to confirm discounts.

Allegiant Airlines

• Ticket Discount: None publicly advertised for ticket prices.
• Baggage: 2 free checked bags (up to 100 lbs each) for active duty and retired military, plus other small perks (free carry-on, early boarding).
• Notes: Allegiant’s site details these perks under “U.S. Active Military, Veterans and their families.”

Breeze Airways 

• Ticket Discount: None publicly advertised.
• Baggage: 2 free checked bags (up to 99 lbs each) for active duty military.
• Notes: Confirm at the ticket counter with military ID.

Delta Airlines

• Ticket Discount:
  • No standard percentage off, but Delta Vacations sometimes offers a flat discount (often cited as $200–$300 off) for military packages; requires phone booking 1-800-800-1504).
• Baggage:
  • On Orders: 5 free 100 lb. bags for active duty.
  • Leisure: 2 free 50 lb. bags in Main Cabin; more in higher classes.
• Notes: Delta’s official policy confirms free bags for active duty, with variations depending on fare class. Discount specifics via Delta Vacations can vary.

Frontier Airlines

• Ticket Discount: None publicly advertised.
• Baggage: 2 free checked bags (up to 99 lbs each) for active duty.
• Notes: Must show valid CAC at check-in. Discounts do not extend to family members (unless they also qualify).

Hawaiian Airlines

• Ticket Discount: None publicly advertised directly; 5% sometimes mentioned through Veterans Advantage / WeSalute+.
• Baggage:
  • On Orders: 5 free 70 lb. bags for active duty and dependents.
  • Leisure (active duty only): 2 free 50 lb. bags.
• Notes: Hawaiian’s site confirms free bag policies for active duty. The percentage discount may require third-party verification.

JetBlue 

• Ticket Discount: None publicly advertised directly; 5% sometimes mentioned via Veterans Advantage / WeSalute+.
• Baggage: On Orders: 5 free 99 lb. checked bags for active duty and dependents.
• Notes: JetBlue’s “Military Benefits” page confirms this baggage policy. Must provide documentation at check-in.

United Airlines

• Ticket Discount: None publicly advertised directly; 5% may be available through Veterans Advantage / WeSalute+.
• Baggage: On Orders: Allows extra checked bags free of charge (up to 5 bags, 70–100 lbs each depending on route/class).
• Notes: United confirms active duty benefits online. United Club access often extended to active duty in uniform traveling on orders.

Lufthansa Airlines

• Ticket Discount: No public discount for U.S. military fares unless booked via a partner (like United) or Veterans Advantage / WeSalute+.
• Baggage: Generally honors United’s U.S. military baggage policy if booked on a United codeshare or if traveling on orders.
• Notes: Must verify with Lufthansa directly if traveling on orders, especially for transatlantic flights.

Southwest Airlines

• Ticket Discount: Officially, no standard percentage discount; however, military fares can be obtained via phone (1-800-I-FLY-SWA) or at the ticket counter. Some may be accessible through WeSalute+ or other programs.
• Baggage: 2 free 100 lb. bags for active duty, with additional free baggage if needed.
• Notes: Southwest is known for its generous bag policy for all customers but extends more weight allowance for active duty.

Spirit Airlines

• Ticket Discount: None publicly advertised for ticket prices.
• Baggage: 2 free checked bags (up to 100 lbs each) for active duty.
• Notes: Must verify military status through ID.me online to add free bags before check-in.

American Airlines

• Ticket Discount: May offer 10% or “exclusive fares” through Veterans Advantage / WeSalute+ or via phone for active duty.
• Baggage:
  • On Orders: 5 free 100 lb. bags for active duty and dependents.
  • Leisure: 3 free 50 lb. bags for active duty.
• Notes: American’s site confirms free bag perks for active duty; call to see if special fares apply.

Key Takeaways

1. Most airlines do NOT offer direct public ticket discounts for military unless you’re booking by phone or using a third-party program (like Veterans Advantage / WeSalute+).
2. Baggage benefits are the most common, with many airlines allowing 2–5 free checked bags for active duty traveling on orders (and sometimes for leisure).
3. Retirees and veterans often get some form of free baggage on certain airlines (e.g., Allegiant, Air Canada), but official “on orders” perks generally apply only to active duty.
4. Policies vary widely and can change without notice. If you have special circumstances (PCS with pets, traveling internationally, etc.), call the airline in advance.
5. For deeper savings, pair these airline discounts with the right travel credit card—especially if your annual fees can be waived under the Military Lending Act (MLA).

Visit our military travel discounts page for discounts on resorts, travel agencies, rental cars and more. 

Saving Even More with Travel Credit Cards

Even with free bags and discounted tickets, travel can get expensive. A travel rewards credit card can help you earn points or miles on every dollar you spend and redeem them for future flights, seat upgrades, and more.

• No Annual Fee for Military: Some top-tier cards, like the Platinum Card from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve, waive annual fees for active duty under the MLA or company-specific programs.
• Generous Sign-Up Bonuses: Earn bonus points or miles after spending a certain amount in the first few months.
• Airport Lounge Access: Premium cards often include lounge memberships (e.g., Priority Pass), which can be valuable if you travel frequently.
• Travel Insurance & Purchase Protections: Many travel cards offer trip cancellation/interruption insurance, rental car insurance, and extended warranty coverage.

Additional Perks and Travel Tips

• TSA PreCheck: Service members can typically use TSA PreCheck lines by entering their DoD ID as their Known Traveler Number when booking. Keep your shoes on and skip the long lines!
• Airport Lounge Access: Some airlines provide complimentary or discounted lounge access to active duty in uniform. Consider calling ahead or checking the airline’s website for official lounge policies.
• Rental Cars, Hotels & Resorts: Don’t stop at airfare. Many travel providers—car rental companies, hotels, theme parks, and resorts—extend discounts to active duty, guard/reserve, veterans, and retirees.

Final Thoughts

Military flight discounts are a great way to cut costs on personal and official travel. Whether you’re active duty, a veteran, or a military spouse, these airline-specific deals can help you save significantly when you know what to ask for—and how to verify your service status.

Remember:

• Check each airline’s official website or call their military reservations line to confirm your discount.
• Keep your documentation (military ID, orders, etc.) handy.
• Consider subscribing to a service like WeSalute+ if you travel frequently and want additional perks.
• Combine airline discounts with the right travel credit card to maximize your rewards and possibly pay $0 in annual fees while on active duty.

Safe travels, and thank you for your service!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do all airlines offer military discounts on ticket prices?

No. Some airlines only offer free baggage perks instead of discounted fares. Others require a third-party membership (like WeSalute+) to unlock ticket discounts.

2. Can retired military and veterans get the same discounts as active duty?

It varies by airline. Some perks (like free checked bags) extend to retired or veteran status, but official orders-based perks (like five free 100 lb. bags) often apply only to active duty traveling on orders.

3. Do I need to book directly with the airline to get a military discount?

Most airlines require you to call their reservations line or visit a ticket counter. Some allow discount booking via their website if you verify through ID.me or sign in with a WeSalute+ account.

4. Do airlines offer a military discount on international flights?

Yes, in some cases, especially if you’re traveling on official orders. International baggage policies for active duty can be more generous for official business or PCS moves. Check with the airline.

5. What happens if my discount doesn’t apply at check-in?

Always keep documentation (orders, IDs, confirmations) on hand. If the gate agent isn’t aware of the policy, politely ask for a supervisor or reference the airline’s published military discount page.

6. Are there any travel credit cards that waive fees for the military?

Many credit card issuers, including American Express and Chase, waive annual fees for active duty service members under the Military Lending Act (MLA), Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), or their own internal policies. This can be a major money-saver, especially on premium travel rewards cards.

About Post Author