Delta Airlines offers special discounts to military personnel, and why wouldn’t they? Our service members put their lives on the line for us, so it is only fair that they get a little something in return. Delta Military discount program is their way of saying “thanks for your service” to active duty military personnel, veterans, and their families.
The saying goes, “One good turn deserves another, and Delta seems to take this to heart with their military discount program. They have been offering discount flights for veterans and active personnel for years now, making it a bit easier for these members to get where they need to go without suffering a load on their bank.
Who Can Get the Military Discount on Delta?
Of course, the airline has ruled out some terms of suitability for this support. Thus, not every member is eligible to hop on this bandwagon. The Delta military discount is specifically for:
- Active duty military personnel
- National Guard members
- Reserve members
- Veterans and retired military
- Military spouses and dependents (in some cases)
Also, it is worth mentioning that Delta might ask for some proof that you are actually military before they let you enjoy these sweet discounts. Don’t take it personally, as they are just making sure the right people get the perks. You know what they say, “Trust but verify.” In a way, it’s for your good.
How Much Does Delta’s Military Discount Let You Save?
Now, we are getting to the real query—the actual savings! The million-dollar question (though the savings aren’t quite that much) is: How much can you actually save with Delta Airlines military discount?
The honest truth is that the answer to this question consistently varies. Sometimes, you might save pretty pennies, and other times, it might just be a few bucks off the regular price. Delta does not advertise a fixed percentage or dollar amount for its military discounts. Instead, they offer special fares that can change depending on
- The route you’re flying.
- When you’re flying (peak times vs. off-peak).
- How far in advance are you booking the flight?
- Current promotions they might be running.
Some passengers have actually reported saving anywhere from 5% to 15% off regular fares. But don’t take our word as the gospel—your savings may totally vary!
How to Get the Delta Military Discount?
Getting your hands on Delta’s discount flights for veterans and active military personnel is not as hard as you may think it is, but there are a few hoops to jump through. Here’s how to go about it:
First off, you’ll need to verify your military status through Delta’s partnership with SheerID. This is just their way of making sure you’re the real deal. Once that’s done, you’re in the system and good to go.
Booking Online
- Head over to Delta’s website (delta.com).
- Look for flights as you normally would.
- When you’re selecting your fare, keep an eye out for the “Military Fare” option.
- Select that option and proceed with your booking.
- You might need to provide your military ID information if prompted.
Booking by Phone
If you’re old school or just prefer talking to a real human being:
- Call Delta’s reservations line at 1-800-221-1212.
- Tell the agent you’re looking for military fares.
- They’ll walk you through the process and help you find the best rates.
Remember, you snooze, you lose! Hence, make sure not to delay the flight booking process. Booking in advance usually gets you better rates, military discount or not.
Delta’s Extra Perks for Military Members
The discount on flights isn’t the only bone Delta throws to military folks. They’ve got a few more perks to serve these people, such as:
Priority Boarding
Delta gives a hero’s welcome to service members by offering them priority boarding. This simply means you can embark on your plane earlier and get settled without having to experience the usual hustle and bustle. Well, it’s not exactly what you would normally call a “VIP treatment,” but it’s nothing to sneeze at either.
Delta Military Bags
This is where Delta really shines for military travelers. Active duty military personnel with Delta flying on orders are allowed to check in up to five bags for free. Each bag can weigh up to 100 pounds, which is far better than the usual 50-pound limit that regular passengers get.
Even when they are traveling for personal reasons, they’ll still get two checked bags, completely free of charge. Delta Airline is clearly easing the load on the wallet.
Access to the Delta Military Lounge
Some Delta Sky Clubs offer complimentary or discounted access to military personnel, especially when they are in uniform or traveling on orders. Access to the Delta military lounge environment before boarding the flight can freshen up the mood and make you worry-free.
Military Medical Travel
This perk refers to the special assistance U.S. military personnel and their dependents receive for medical travel. Simply put, this program is designed to ensure that your travel needs of military personnel and their families are timely met when there’s a requirement for medical treatment or an appointment that is not available at the local military facility.
Combining Military Offers with Other Discounts
Here’s when things start to get a little tricky. You know what they say, “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” Well, that’s exactly the same situation when you try to combine the special offer of Delta and military perks.
In some cases, you will not be allowed to stack up your military discounts with other promotions or discounts. You will have to pick one or the other. It is possible that some days the Delta military discount will be your best bet, but other days, a general sale or promotion might be more tempting and save you more.
You want advice? It’s always better to check both options before booking your flight. What you can do is indulge in some comparison, look at the price with a military discount, and then check what the same flight would cost you with any current promotions. With this comparison, you will get a better idea, and you’ll be able to choose the right option.
Insights into Making the Most of Delta Military Discounts
Let us throw a few tips your way to help you get the most out of Delta Airlines Military discounts and squeeze every last drop out of the offered perks.
- It’s always better to book your flights in advance, as it’s very hard to find cheap or discounted last-minute flights. Of course, you will be getting the usual perks that every military personnel is offered, but booking in advance can help you bag more benefits.
- Be flexible with your travel dates—you must have heard this a hundred times. Well, it’s because it is actually beneficial.
- Become a member of the Delta SkyMiles loyalty program, plus it’s free to join! You can earn miles on your discounted flights and use them for future award travel.
- Check whether Delta is running special discounts. The airline usually comes up with exclusive offers specifically for military personnel. These deals are usually witnessed on holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
- Make sure your documents are readily available. You have to ensure your military ID and veteran status are up to date. The details should be easy to access when booking a flight and during check-in.
Like our elders always say, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” These tips might seem trivial, but they can really add up to your experience and help you save some big bucks.
In a Nutshell:
At the end of the day, the Delta Airlines Military Discount program is their way of tipping their hats off to those who have or are serving the country. Is it the most generous discount program for military personnel out there? Maybe not. Will it save you a fortune on every flight you take? Probably not. But every little bit helps, right?
If you are eligible to use these discounts, there’s no reason not to take advantage of them. Even if the savings are modest, they are still savings. And it’s worth mentioning that the discounts are just a part of a package. The extra baggage, priority boarding, and military lounge access are more than enough to enhance your in-flight and at-airport experience.
Common Questions About Delta’s Military Discounts:
Yes. Delta has been offering a special discount on flights to military personnel and veterans, along with other benefits.
Delta Airlines offers a military discount through its program to show respect to active duty members and veterans for serving the country.
No. The Delta discount is based on your military status, not attire. You can be in your comfiest sweats and still get the discount.
Yes. Delta Air Lines allows military travelers to check in up to five bags for free, and each can weigh up to 100 pounds.
Delta Sky Club sometimes offers free access to military personnel, especially when they are traveling on orders or are wearing their uniforms.
Yes. Families of serving and retired military personnel can often use military discounts on flights. However, the eligibility and specifics of the discounts may vary.
Yes. The free baggage allowance offer can be extended to spouses traveling with a military member on the same reservation.
Yes. Delta Air Lines offers free baggage allowance to military personnel. When traveling on orders, military travelers can check in up to five bags (100 pounds each).
Yes, but the savings may vary. Some international routes may offer greater deals than others.
Veterans are allowed to access the military fares, but some extra perks like free baggage allowance may vary. For more details, it is recommended to connect with the airline representatives.
It depends. In some cases, family members can access military fares, but they might have to show their dependant ID.