The pride, the strength, and the security of a nation is dependent on its military. If the military is well-treated, the nation will surely be well-respected. Although the military is duly respected everywhere, here at Southwest Airlines, there is another way to pay tribute to the military personnel. Southwest Airlines offers Southwest military discounts, which every member of the military can use to get a discounted flight to their destination. These discounts apply to selected branches of the military only and will require a verification ID to apply the discount. So, let’s learn more about how much of a Southwest Airlines military discount you can get and what the requirements are.
Does Southwest Offer a Military Discount?
This question must have a different section for itself, and we provided it with the same. Well, the answer is already out, and you know that Southwest Airlines does provide military discounts. The main question should be, “How much discount can I get?”. Military discount Southwest Airlines varies for different branches of the military, and depending on this, the discount percentage is applied. So, you will only learn about this when booking your tickets.
Who Gets The Military Discount Offered By Southwest Airlines?
The military discount Southwest Airlines is a special discount offered to some selected groups and can not be availed by anyone else. So here are the departments that qualify for the discounts:
Air Force
Marnie Corps
Navy
Active members in the Army
Veterans
Reservists
National Guard members
Coast Guard members with active orders
Cadets/midshipmen attending the U.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Naval Academy
U.S. Military Academy (West Point)
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy
Relatives and family members of active-duty personnel.
What Are The Benefits That Military Discounts Offer?
As a military personnel, you are surely getting a hefty discount and enormous benefits to count. So here are the benefits that you can enjoy if you are military personnel or any immediate family member:
You can do automatic check-in from 36 hours before the scheduled flight using the EarlyBird check-in.
Special allowance for checked baggage.
Special pet policy for military dogs.
Discounted vacation packages for you and your family.
Swift reservation is available via our helpline number or website.
What Is The Baggage Allowance For Military Personnel?
You are aware that military personnel can check in more baggage than a normal passenger on Southwest Airlines. All this is possible due to the Southwest Airlines military discount offered to them. There are no Southwest Airlines baggage fees for military personnel. Here, you will learn all the allowances military personnel can get with Southwest Airlines.
If the person is traveling on active duty orders, the typical baggage limit of 2 bags per person won’t apply for them. Apart from this any oversize or overweight charges will not be applicable provided the baggage does not exceed the weight limit of 100 pounds and measures not more than 80 inches(L+H+W).
Note:-
Every member applying for military discounts must present a valid ID which has United States Uniformed Service Active Duty representation on it.
Military people are not allowed to carry more than 20 bags per flight, including all the regular passengers.
Family members or dependents traveling without the active duty member will be charged with regular charges for the additional, oversized, and overweight bags.
Military Personnel Traveling With Pets
Southwest helps U.S. Military family members and U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers in taking their pets along while traveling. Only active military members, their spouses with active transfer orders, FSOs, and their spouses can check their pets as checked baggage. Here, we have mentioned all the rules and requirements you must comply:
MWDs or Military working dogs are allowed to travel with the military working dog team (MWDT) having a trained handler and a trained canine.
Law enforcement service dogs that are fully trained in explosives and drug detection or any other specific function are allowed to travel onboard. However, their respective handler must be traveling onboard with them.
Search and rescue dogs traveling with their trainers must present a letter of mission and a copy of the animal’s certification.
Any dog traveling onboard must not occupy any seat or sit in the emergency exit row.
These dogs must not obstruct passengers’ prompt evacuation during an emergency and must be kept in a position away from the exit rows. This rule is mandatory according to federal safety regulations.
How is the Military Personnel’s Boarding Process?
The military’s contribution to society and the country is condemnable, so Southwest and other airlines shouldn’t have them standing in queues with all the general passengers. Their service is considered the best among the options provided by the rules to be appreciated. So, every member is eligible for the Southwest military fares regardless of what branch they are in. Here is everything you need to know for a swift flight boarding:
Get to the airport counter with your valid Active-duty military ID. The ID must have your identification in your uniform.
Check in at the counter with all your belongings.
Proceed to the boarding gate to obtain priority boarding. Generally, you will be boarding the plane with the boarding group “A”, however, if you do not get a chance in the A group, you will surely get on board with the group “B”.
Thereafter, proceed to select the seats of your choice and preference.
Conclusion
With “The End,” you are totally aware of what advantages a military person gets over all the regular passengers. Traveling on orders can easily bypass you through tons of limitations and ease your process of boarding the plane. It is mentioned by Southwest that military discount flights Southwest cannot be purchased online, but you can easily book it with us. You can dial our toll-free number and speak to our agent, who will guide you through the booking process.
FAQs
Q1. How do I get a Southwest military discount for non-active members?
If you are a non-active member of the military, you can get the discounts by presenting the copy of the orders you have.
Q2. Where can I find help for military travel?
You can reach out to our military and government team, which provides dedicated support to all members flying through military fares.
Q3. What if I have booked an Anytime fare within 24 hours?
If you have purchased an Anytime fare within 24 hours, you will not be able to enjoy the EarlyBird check-in option.