Senior Passengers and Fares

Need a helping hand? If you need wheelchair assistance, a friend or family member is welcome to assist you on your way to/from the gate area. Just have them stop by the ticket counter with a government-issued photo ID to obtain a gate pass.

If you need wheelchair assistance, your friends and family are welcome to assist you on your way to/from the gate area. Just have them stop by the ticket counter with a government-issued photo ID to obtain a gate pass.

Travelers 65 years of age or over may get details on fares, limitations, and any restrictions via Reservations on southwest.com, from a Southwest Airlines Reservations Sales Agent or a travel agent. Fares are subject to change until tickets are purchased, but Senior Fare tickets are fully refundable. Please see details below for tips on how to make your travel experience on Southwest Airlines even easier.

• Making Reservations
• Checking In For Your Flight
• Packing and Travel Tips
• Travel Lingo

Making Reservations

• Reservations for Senior Fares are now available online. You may also make reservations by calling a Southwest Airlines Reservation Agent, or your local travel agent. Be sure to request the the Senior Fare if you are 65 years or older.
• Senior Fares apply only to those in the traveling party who are age 65 or over. Southwest Airlines has other discounted fares for those not meeting the above age requirements. Some restrictions and seating limitations may apply.
• If you are traveling during a holiday period or weekend, be sure to make your reservations as far in advance as possible.
• If it is convenient to your travel plans, mid-day and mid-week travel times are less crowded and afford more personal service at the same price for Seniors who are traveling on Southwest's Senior Fares.
• Southwest offers reservations and information services for hearing impaired Customers who have access to a TDD machine. Just call 1-800-533-1305 and a Southwest Airlines TDD Agent will assist you - 24 hours a day.
• If your plans change, please visit the Travel Center on southwest.com, or contact Reservations to cancel your reservations so others may reserve the seats.

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Checking In For Your Flight

• You must have a boarding pass to board the aircraft. Customers may check in for their flight and receive their boarding pass and Rapid Rewards credit online at southwest.com (for eligible reservations only), at the Skycap Podium (in select locations), Ticket Counter, Departure Gate, or E-Ticket Check-In kiosk (for eligible reservations only).
• If you are traveling on a Senior Fare and you are age verified, you may request your boarding pass on southwest.com or at an E-Ticket Check-In kiosk.
• If you are not traveling on a Senior Fare, you do not need to be age verified to request your boarding pass on southwest.com or at an E-Ticket Check-In kiosk.
• Online Checkin or Kiosk Checkin - Age Verification Details for Customers Traveling on Senior Fares:
  • If you are traveling on a Senior Fare and do not have a Rapid Rewards or MySouthwest® Account, you must create one in order to check in online or at an E-Ticket Check-In kiosk.
  • You must present your driver’s license, or another government-issued photo identification that indicates your date of birth, to the Customer Service Agent when you check in for your flight. At that time, the date of birth listed in your account will be updated to indicate that your age has been verified.
  • If you prefer, you may mail a copy of your driver’s license, or another government-issued photo identification that indicates your date of birth to: Southwest Airlines Customer Relations; PO Box 36662; Dallas, TX 75235. Please be sure to indicate your account number with your request, and submit your request at least 21 days prior to your flight.
  • The date of birth field in your account will be updated to reflect that you are verified. Please allow 2 weeks for processing.
  • If you submit your request in writing, you will receive a confirmation letter in the mail once your date of birth has been verified.
  • Once your date of birth has been verified, you may check in online or at an E-Ticket Check-In kiosk and request a boarding pass as long as your account number is present in the reservation for which you are checking in.
  • Please remember to provide your account number when you make future reservations on southwest.com or through our toll-free Reservations number so that you can check in online or at an E-Ticket Check-In kiosk.
  • Note: Though you must be age verified to check in for your Senior Fare reservations online, you do not have to be age verified to purchase Senior Fares online.

• If you are traveling on a Senior Fare, and you are not age verified, you MUST provide valid proof of age (driver's license or other accepted identification) at the airport when exchanging your confirmation number for a boarding pass. You will not be able to check in online or at an E-Ticket Check-In kiosk. A Medicare card is not considered valid proof of age.
• If a wheelchair is required, request one at curbside checkin or at the "main lobby" ticket counter. If traveling with your own electrical wheelchair, you must notify Southwest at least 48 hours in advance.
• If you are checking luggage, be sure to give your final destination (ending Southwest city) - not your connecting city - to the Agent handling your checkin process.
• Make sure the city shown on your baggage claim ticket and luggage tag matches your final destination (ending city on your journey).
• We recommend that you visit Checkin and Boarding Procedures for complete details on our travel polices.

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Packing and Travel Tips

• Always put your name and address on both the inside and outside of all suitcases and travel bags. If you already have this information on your luggage, make sure the address is current.
• Leave all jewelry, furs, medicine, eyeglasses, airplane tickets, money, passports, camera equipment, and other valuables out of checked luggage. Carry these items with you. Southwest and most other carriers will not reimburse you for these kinds of losses.
• Take a statement from your physician detailing any particular problems, allergies, and the like, and a copy of medication and eyeglass prescriptions. Anticipate any medication you may need and carry it with you (don't pack it).
• Put cosmetics, shoe polish, nail enamel, liquor, perfume, shoes, and anything else that might spill or break and stain or soil clothing into resealable plastic bags or unbreakable containers.
• Convert cash into traveler's checks that can be reissued if lost. Carry the serial numbers separately from the traveler's checks. Please note Southwest Airlines accepts only American Express Travelers Cheques for the purchase of tickets.
• Make a list of the items in your luggage and carry that list with you (don't pack it).
• Remove hooks and pullstraps before checking luggage to insure that they do not come off during handling.
• Do not lock your checked luggage. The TSA is suggesting that you do not lock your luggage in the event that they need to open it for additional inspection. If you choose to lock your luggage and the TSA must forcibly open your bag via cutting your lock, you assume liability for any damage to your luggage as a result. The TSA is suggesting that to help prevent damage, if you want to fasten the zipper on your luggage in some manner, you might want to use plastic zip ties or cable ties.
• Southwest's and most other airlines' liability for loss or damage of checked luggage is limited to a maximum of $3,000.00. On most airlines, you can purchase excess valuation insurance for a nominal fee.
• When leaving the aircraft (deplaning), be sure to look around to make sure you have all personal items (coats, keys, glasses, cameras, etc.) with you. Airlines will not be responsible for items left onboard.

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Travel Lingo

Understanding some of the terms used in air travel should make your journey easier.

• Nonstop:: The airplane travels from your originating city (beginning) city to your final destination (ending city) without a stop.
• Direct (also referred to as single plane service): The airplane makes one or more stops enroute to the final destination, but the Customer does not get off of the airplane until the final destination is reached.
• Connecting: At a "connecting city" between the originating city and the final destination, the Customer will leave one aircraft and board another.
• Unrestricted fare: Southwest Airlines offers low, unrestricted fares every day. These fares are available to all Customers (regardless of age) and do not require advance reservations or advance ticket purchase. No penalties apply for itinerary changes or refunds. The term for this type of fare varies with other airlines.
• Restricted fare: Certain discount fares may be available on Southwest that are subject to specific reservation, ticket purchase, and travel requirements. Failure to follow the established fare rules may result in added expense to the Customer. Holiday blackout periods may apply and seats may be limited.
• Confirmed: A seat on a particular flight has been reserved by the Reservations Sales Agent.
• Standby: A reservation cannot be confirmed. The traveler will be given a seat only if one becomes available after all confirmed Customers have checked in and received boarding passes for the flight. On any flight with a stop, a standby Customer assumes the risk that he/she may be removed from the flight at the stopping place so that a confirmed Customer can be boarded.
• Ticket Agent: The person at Southwest's ticket counter who issues tickets, checks luggage, and assists Customers in other ways.
• Gate Agent: The person at Southwest's departure gate desk who checks Customers in for their flights by exchanging their tickets for boarding passes.
• Preboard: Boarding of Customers who need special assistance. Preboarding takes place immediately prior to the general boarding of a flight. The need for preboarding should be called to the attention of the Gate Agent when the Customer checks in to receive a boarding pass.
• Skycap: The person who checks luggage curbside at the entrance to the airport terminal building. An appropriate tip is $1.00 per bag. In some cities, this person also provides wheelchair assistance.

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