How Seniors Can Get the Cheapest Flights

In today's economy, most everyone hopes to find the cheapest plane tickets available. This is certainly true for the seniors in our society, as many are on a fixed-income but still want and deserve to enjoy traveling.

How Senior Travelers Can Save Money?

A number of airlines sell senior discount packs that include four one-way tickets. Other airlines offer cheap airfare discounts by taking a fixed percentage off regular airfares. Unfortunately, these low airfare tickets are not necessarily cheaper than the regular discounted fares. So, in actuality, senior fares may not be the cheapest plane tickets or any less costly than the low airfare tickets already offered to the general public.

Even though senior fares might cost more than an airline's advertised specials, the cost is rarely more than a few dollars, and senior fare rates have advantages. Sometimes senior fares are not as restrictive as regular airfares, and the tickets might offer last-minute travel accommodations and are usually refundable. In other words, if you need to cancel a flight and can be flexible with your travel dates, the senior low airfare tickets may be the best option for you.

What's Available for Seniors?

Most likely the cheapest plane tickets will be offered by the biggest carriers in the United States, and chances are that you will be flying with one of them.

Delta Shuttle, for instance, offers cheap airfare for passengers beginning at age 62. There are 16 daily flights between New York and Boston, and 15 daily flights between New York and Washington, D.C., excluding Saturday and Sunday. However, this airline does offer reduced weekend airfare schedules.

American Airlines, American Eagle and American Connection offer low airfare tickets in some domestic markets for seniors age 65 and older.

Southwest Airlines offer some cheap airline tickets to travelers age 65 or older, but may have restrictions and limitations. Fares with this airline are subject to change until tickets are actually purchased. However, senior tickets are fully refundable.

United Airlines and many of their partners offer as much as 50 per cent off luxury hotels and resorts, for people who choose to join Silver Wings Plus. However, these savings are restricted to travelers age 55 and older.

Northwest Airlines offer senior low airfare tickets if the passenger can verify senior status before proceeding with the booking process.

US Airways does not offer any senior discounts, but does offer other reduced fares.

Continental offers cheap airline tickets for seniors who are 65 and older, and traveling to select destinations.

Seniors can find more low airfare tickets from some non-profit organizations, such as the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Within this organization, people who are 50 or older and AARP members can purchase reduced fare airline tickets, cruise tickets, and hotel accommodations .

Before purchasing any airline ticket check for bargains. Utilizing the Internet can save time and provide information quickly. Many on-line agencies and airlines offer fare updates (increase and decrease) via email.