Military airline benefits, by carrier
The best airline deals for military travelers are the ones you can't see online. Here's what each carrier offers on bags and change fees — and how to reach the unpublished military fares that aren't on any booking site.
Bags, fares & change fees by airline
| Airline | Free bags | Fare discount | Change fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American | Free bags for active duty: up to 3 bags/50 lbs on personal travel, up to 5 bags/100 lbs on orders; dependents on orders included | Unpublished military fares — call 1-800-433-7300; 10% off vacation packages via WeSalute+ | Waived with deployment orders | Priority boarding; show ID at airport |
| Delta | Free checked bags — active duty, veterans, Guard/Reserve | Unpublished fares — call directly | Waived with military orders | Active military exempt from April 2026 fee increases |
| United | Free checked bags (active duty); 2 free up to 100 lbs | 5% off via WeSalute+; unpublished fares — call 1-800-864-8331 | Waived with orders | Honors military policy on United codeshares |
| Southwest | 2 free checked bags for active duty; no oversize/overweight fees | Military fares — call 1-800-435-9792 (not on Southwest.com) | No change fees active duty; waived for deployment | Ended Bags Fly Free May 2025; active duty still exempt |
| Alaska | Free checked bags for active duty (up to 5) | WeSalute+ discount | Waived with orders | Strong West Coast & Alaska routes — good for PNW PCS |
| JetBlue | Up to 5 free on orders; 2 free via WeSalute+ | 5% off base fares (orders or WeSalute+) | Waived with orders | Call 800-538-2583; applies to immediate family |
| Frontier | Free carry-on + 2 checked + personal item for active duty family | WeSalute+ discount | Varies | Big benefit — Frontier charges all others for carry-ons |
| Breeze | Free bags + priority boarding | 15% off via WeSalute+ | Varies | Growing network; inflight food & beverage discount |
| Spirit / Allegiant | No formal military baggage benefit | No formal military discount | Standard fees | Ultra-low-cost; check WeSalute+ for promotions |
Official sources (checked 09 AUG 2026): American · Southwest
Please verify before booking. This is an independent resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Benefit terms are set by each provider and can change without notice — always confirm current details directly before booking.
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