Before you choose a flight, you should know which airline can best cater to your traveling situation. Some airlines offer veterans and service members everything from early boarding to a premium cabin, while others only offer free baggage.
How to Get Military Discounts on Flights
Most airlines require military members to provide some form of proof of service, such as travel orders, a valid military ID or a DoD card to receive a discount. For detailed requirements by airline, see our discount by airline section below.
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 | Veterans Advantage 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%* | Veterans Advantage | 2 bags for leisure, 5 bags on orders | Active military only for leisure; active and retired military when on orders |
| JetBlue | 5%* | Veterans Advantage | 5 bags on orders | Active military only |
| United Airlines | 5%* | Veterans Advantage | Extra baggage checked for free | Active military only |
| Lufthansa Airlines | 5%* | Veterans Advantage | 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 | Veterans Advantage 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?
Veterans Advantage is a paid membership that provides discounts to United States active duty military members, veterans, National Guard, reservists, and their families. Established in 2000, the program partners with companies to offer exclusive deals and savings as a token of appreciation for the service and sacrifices made by those in the U.S. military community.
Veterans Advantage has partnered with several airlines to offer exclusive flight discounts to the military community. Airline discounts offered through Veterans Advantage are available with the purchase of a membership.
Military Discounts By Airline
Below is a detailed list of each airline’s military discounts.
Air Canada
- Does not offer a military discount on flight tickets
- Three free checked bags, each weighing up to 70 lbs. for active and retired military members.
Air France
- Does not offer a military discount on flight tickets
- Five free 70 lb. checked bags for active duty military and dependents on orders or relocating.
- Two free 50 lb. checked bags for active military members traveling for leisure.
Alaska Airlines
- 5% ticket discount through Veterans Advantage
- Discounted military fares offered to active duty military members and their dependents. Fares only available when purchasing by phone at 1-800-252-7522.
- Five free 50 lb. checked bags for active duty military members and their dependents traveling on orders.
- 15% discount on food during the flight
- Complimentary Alaska Lounge Day Pass for military members traveling on duty on an Alaska flight departing within 3 hours. All other active duty may purchase a discounted $30 Lounge Day Pass when traveling with Alaska.
- Trained service animals travel for free. Active duty and their dependents get a pet shipping discount when traveling on orders.
- Early boarding
Allegiant Airlines
- Does not offer a military discount on flight tickets
- Two free 99 lb. checked bags for active and retired military members.
- Free boarding pass printing
- One free pet in cabin
- Early boarding
Breeze Airways
- Does not offer a military discount on flight tickets
- Two free 99 lb. checked bags for active duty military members.
- Active U.S. military must check in at the ticket counter with their military ID for baggage deal.
- Early boarding
Delta Airlines
- Delta Vacations offers a $300 ticket discount per flight when booking a vacation experience. Call their experts at 1-800-800-1504.
- Five free 100 lb. checked bags for active duty military members traveling on orders.
- Active duty military members traveling for leisure receive two free 50 lb. bags with a basic ticket, three free 50 lb. bags with a premium select ticket and three free 70 lb. bags when traveling first class.
- Military members and their dependents may book pets as checked baggage for a fee when traveling on relocation or transfer orders.
- Call ahead and make a reservation at 1-800-221-1212 to receive baggage/pet discounts.
Frontier Airlines
- Does not offer a military discount on flight tickets
- Two free 99 lb. checked bags for active duty military members.
- Discount does not extend to family members or traveling companions
- Must show Common Access Card at check-in for baggage deal.
Hawaiian Airlines
- Does not offer a military discount on flight tickets
- Five free 70 lb. checked bags for active duty military members and their dependents on orders or relocating.
- Active duty military members receive two 50 lb. checked bags when traveling for leisure.
- Active duty Military ID required at check-in for baggage deal.
JetBlue
- 5% ticket discount through Veterans Advantage
- Five free 99 lb. checked bags for active duty military members and their dependents on orders or relocating.
- Dependents must provide the name of the active duty military member, branch of service and military rank and Common Access Card for baggage deal.
United Airlines
- 5% ticket discount through Veterans Advantage
- Extra baggage free of charge when active-duty military personnel traveling on orders
- Invitation to the United Club, which offers a premium cabin and more, for active duty and their families traveling on duty.
- Active duty military members traveling on duty and their families are invited to the United Club, which offers a premium cabin and more.
- PCSing military personnel and their spouses can transport their dogs or cats when traveling internationally.
Lufthansa Airlines
- 5% ticket discount through Veterans Advantage
- Lufthansa honors the United Airlines US military baggage policy, which allows active duty military members traveling on orders to check extra baggage free of charge.
Southwest Airlines
- Veterans Advantage discount on the Veterans Advantage PBC reservations site.
- Military and government fares are available for active duty military members and their dependents. Call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) or visit a Southwest ticket counter to book.
- Two free 100 lb. checked bags and no additional fee for extra baggage for active duty military members.
- Show military ID at check-in for baggage deal.
- Early boarding
Spirit Airlines
- Does not offer a military discount on flight tickets
- Two free 100 lb. checked bags for active duty military members
- Must be added online in advance during booking or online check-in via ID.ME for baggage deal.
American Airlines
- 10% ticket discount through Veterans Advantage
- Military and government fares are available. Call 800-433-7300 to book.
- Five free 100 lb. checked bags for active duty military members and their dependents when traveling on orders.
- Three free 50 lb. checked bags for active duty military personnel traveling for leisure.
- Must show military ID at check-in and copy of active orders if applicable for baggage deal.
- Waived fees for active military dogs
- Early boarding
Additional Perks
- Service members can skip the TSA line by showing their DoD ID card.
- Airport lounge access when in uniform.
Visit our military travel discounts page for discounts on resorts, travel agencies, rental cars and more.
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Fred Barnes says
Hi, I’m a disabled, retired US Air Force veteran. My retirement rank is GS12.
My spouse and I are searching for two round trips to Seoul-Inchon, South Korea.
Due to my disability, I need business class seats for such a long trip.
I’ve been searching online for the past month and prices are extremely expensive.
Can you assist in helping us find substantially discounted tickets? Prices for two non-stop tickets to Korea are more than $25K for the both of us.
Please, I beg your assistance.
Ryan Guina says
Fred, I’m sorry to hear about your disability. I recommend speaking with a travel agent to see if they can assist you in finding more affordable seats. You could also look into flying Space-A if you are eligible. This won’t have the same comforts as business class, but depending on the type of aircraft, it may afford you the ability to get up and move around during the flight. Best wishes!