Veterans Day is an opportunity to recognize those who have served in the U.S. military (and if you’ve served, thank you for your service). But when it comes to air travel, many of the benefits available to service members and veterans extend well beyond November 11.
Several major U.S. airlines offer discounted fares, complimentary checked bags, priority boarding, and other travel benefits. Depending on the airline, these perks can save travelers quite a bit of money, especially when traveling with family or checking multiple bags.
There’s an important distinction, though. Not every military travel benefit is available to veterans. Some are reserved for active-duty service members, while others extend to retirees, veterans, and eligible family members.
Here’s what eight U.S. airlines offer and who qualifies.
Active-duty military and accompanying eligible family
Free carry-on and checked bags, priority boarding
Eligibility, verification requirements, and benefits vary by airline. Some offers require booking by phone or enrollment in a paid membership program.
What Each Airline Offers
American Airlines
American offers active-duty U.S. military members up to three complimentary checked bags when traveling for personal reasons, or up to five when traveling on orders. Active-duty service members with valid identification can also board in Group 1.
The airline also offers special government and military fares in certain markets, although travelers need to contact reservations to check availability.
For veterans, American participates in the WeSalute program, which provides access to select vacation savings through a paid membership. These are separate from the active-duty baggage and boarding benefits.
Delta Air Lines
Delta offers active-duty military members additional checked baggage allowances, early boarding, and access to special military fares, which can be reserved by phone or by messaging the airline.
The number of complimentary bags depends on whether the traveler is flying on military orders or for personal reasons, as well as the cabin booked.
Delta also has special policies for military-related pet travel and certain medical emergency trips involving injured service members.
United Airlines
United offers active-duty military travelers up to five complimentary checked bags, depending on the purpose of travel, along with preboarding and United Club access when certain requirements are met.
The airline also offers a 5% discount on eligible leisure fares for active-duty service members who verify their status through MileagePlus. The discount applies to the base fare on select United-operated flights and can cover up to nine passengers on the same reservation. Basic economy fares are excluded.
Certain cadets, reservists on active orders, and recently discharged service members may also qualify for military benefits.
For veterans, United offers separate discounts on eligible flight-and-hotel packages booked through United Vacations.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest offers military fares to eligible active-duty service members and their dependents. These fares aren’t available through the airline’s website, so travelers must call Southwest or visit an airport ticket counter to book.
Active-duty military members also receive priority boarding before Group 1 and exemptions from checked baggage fees, including certain excess, oversized, and overweight bag charges.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska offers military fares in select markets, along with baggage benefits and certain lounge privileges for eligible service members.
For example, active-duty personnel traveling on qualifying government-sponsored itineraries may receive complimentary Alaska Lounge access. Other eligible active-duty travelers may qualify for discounted lounge day passes.
Alaska also participates in WeSalute and provides flight discounts to eligible members, including veterans.
One important distinction is that Alaska’s special military fares generally apply to qualifying active-duty travel and certain recently discharged service members, rather than all veterans.
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JetBlue
JetBlue has one of the more straightforward offers for veterans.
Through WeSalute+, eligible veterans, military retirees, and their families can receive a 5% discount on JetBlue-operated flights, along with two complimentary checked bags weighing up to 50 pounds each.
Active-duty military travelers can receive similar benefits without enrolling in WeSalute+, with additional baggage allowances when traveling on duty.
There are a few catches. WeSalute+ is a paid membership, and eligible travelers must call JetBlue to book. The discount applies to the base fare, not taxes or fees, and doesn’t apply to tickets booked with TrueBlue points.
Allegiant Air
Allegiant’s military benefits stand out because they explicitly extend to veterans and eligible family members, not just active-duty personnel.
Through its Allegiant Honors program, eligible travelers can receive two complimentary checked bags, a free carry-on, priority boarding, and even one in-cabin pet without the usual fee.
Eligible spouses, domestic partners, children, and dependents traveling on the same itinerary can also receive benefits.
Considering how many of Allegiant’s usual services carry additional fees, those exemptions could make a substantial difference to the total cost of a trip.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier doesn’t offer a general military airfare discount, but it does provide several baggage benefits to eligible active-duty military members and accompanying spouses and children.
These include a complimentary carry-on bag, two checked bags, and waivers for certain oversized and overweight baggage charges. Eligible travelers can also receive priority boarding.
Military members can verify their status through ID.me, after which the benefits can be applied to eligible reservations.
What About Veterans Specifically?
Many of the most generous airline benefits, particularly complimentary checked bags and priority boarding, are reserved for current service members. Having previously served doesn’t automatically qualify a traveler for those perks.
However, some airlines offer expanded eligibility:
Allegiant: Includes veterans in its military benefits program.
JetBlue: Provides veteran discounts and baggage benefits through WeSalute+.
Alaska: Offers flight discounts through WeSalute+.
American: Offers select vacation savings through WeSalute.
United: Offers discounts on eligible United Vacations flight-and-hotel packages for veterans.
Before booking, check whether a discount requires membership in a third-party program, whether it applies to everyone on the reservation, and whether it can be combined with other offers.
How to Make Sure You Receive Your Benefits
The U.S. Department of Transportation maintains a Support Our Troops dashboard that compares certain commitments airlines make to current service members and their families.
Those commitments include baggage allowances and flexibility when military orders interfere with travel. However, the dashboard isn’t a complete list of military discounts, and an airline without a particular commitment may still offer the benefit under its own policies.
Before booking, check the airline’s eligibility requirements and whether you need to verify your status, present military identification, or call reservations.
And if you’re considering a discounted military fare, compare it with the regular price. Special fares aren’t necessarily the cheapest option on every route.
Most of these benefits are available year-round, so there’s no need to wait until Veterans Day to use them. Just be sure you know which benefits you’re eligible for before booking.
