Southwest Airlines Military Discount

Southwest Airlines Military Discounts: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you in the military or a retired officer, and looking for deals on travel? Southwest Airlines will provide you with an exclusive deal. Southwest Airlines Military Discount will make every journey more wallet-friendly. In case you just want to see your family, go on vacation, or travel for official duty, flights will be heavily discounted, enabling military personnel to make it to destinations. In this blog, we will discuss how you can take advantage of Southwest Airlines Military Discount and what you need to know to start saving today.

What is Southwest Airlines Military Discount?

Southwest Airlines has a sense of patriotism and is proud of every service member. Their military boarding policy allows active-duty service members who did not get an “A” boarding permit to board between the A and B groups, as long as they have a valid military ID. Besides this, Southwest Airlines offers you the following services-

  • Southwest Airlines offers discounts to active military members and family members. They can be contacted directly at 1 800-I-FLY-SWA.
  • Discounted Rate Reservations cannot be booked online.
  • Southwest does NOT charge baggage fees to active military on permanent change-of-station moves or overweight or multiple-bag orders.
  • Military personnel are authorized a third free checked bag and the fee would be $75 otherwise. Even Southwest does this but is only waiving the $75 fee for military discounts for active personnel or those permanent change of station eligible.

What are the Requirements for Military Discount on Southwest?

There are requirements to be met, and each airline offers different types of military discounts. Discounts are available for travel and cargo. Some even allow global travel, while others only provide increased mileage earning through their loyalty programs. Sometimes, you may only qualify for free checked baggage as a discount.

Nevertheless, expect to follow certain rules in arranging your cheap military flights, as listed below.

In cases where individuals join within a week of getting discharged from their active duty period, an enlistee will not have their military ID and so an ID card or separation documents shall be necessary in order to book. So the status needs to be Active Duty.

Some airlines provide discounts to reservists and active National Guard members.

Cost of non-refundable tickets; some airlines give military personnel complimentary refundable tickets.

Does Southwest not charge Baggage Fees for Military members?

  • Active duty military members are exempt from adhering to the policy. No fee is charged for checked bags because Southwest does not charge baggage fees to military members. Customers on active duty in the military must have a valid military ID to be exempt.
  • Servicemen and women on active duty are exempted from two-piece baggage limitations and no surcharge applies to excess, oversized, or overweight bags that do not weigh more than 100 pounds in weight or more than 80 inches in dimension (L + W + H). Customers eligible as TSA-Known Shippers may send baggage over 80 inches in width as cargo.
  • The United States Uniformed Services requires active-duty identification cards for all military personnel when they check in.
  • A ticketed traveler (which includes military personnel) can check up to 20 pieces of luggage per flight.
  • When traveling separately from the active-duty service member, family members are subject to paying the usual fees for excess, oversized, and overweight luggage.

How to make a Flight Reservation with the Southwest Airlines Military Discount?

If you are qualified for the Southwest Airlines Military Discount, it is easier to reserve your flight.

  1. Internet Reservation

The easiest way to book a flight with your military discount Southwest airlines is online. You can easily do this by visiting the Southwest Airlines website. Though you can look up fares and schedules here, you must make your reservation by phone or at the ticket counter due to verification requirements.

  1. Telephone Booking

And you can start by contacting Southwest customer service. They will guide you with the booking and will ensure that all the necessary information is presented with no errors.

  1. Booking at the Ticket Counter

Go to a Southwest Ticket desk, you will get in-person assistance from very knowledgeable staff who fully understand how these discounts work and what type of paperwork one may be expected to produce.

What are Southwest Airlines Government Fares?

  • Use Automatic Check-in: 36 hours before your departure date with our EarlyBird Check-In, available as part of our YCA government fare.
  • Fares may not be booked on Southwest.com or issued by an employee except as obtained through an authorized travel management system, travel agency, or commercial travel office of eligible federal government personnel, or the Southwest Government Reservation Desk at 1-800-435-9792. Eligible Federal Employees must make their reservations through their designated agency ticket purchase process.
  • GST Fares are not available on Southwest.com and can only be accessed through an authorized travel agency of eligible state government personnel or by calling the Southwest Government Reservation Desk at 1-888-871-8167. Eligible state government employees should access a ticket through their agency’s established process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Southwest Airlines Military Discount have many valuable benefits and discounts for military personnel and their families. Southwest is dedicated to making their travel more accessible and affordable. From planning a family visit to official travel to vacation, you can take advantage of Southwest military discount. This way you can save big on your tickets and baggage fees. Passengers just have to simply follow the steps mentioned to book their tickets. Make sure you have all the required ID proofs. Military members can easily get access to exclusive offers.

Read More: Southwest Airlines Boarding Groups