| Travel Tips for Seniors |
Many of the airlines offer special Senior Fares to those people with time and the yearn to travel. Travelers 65 years of age or over may get details on fares, limitations, and any restrictions from the airline's Sales Agent or a travel agent. Fares are subject to change until tickets are purchased, but Senior Fare tickets are sometimes fully refundable (check with Carrier for details and restrictions).
See also our information on Packing Smart.
- Leave all jewelry, furs, medicine, eyeglasses, airplane tickets, money, passports, camera equipment, and other valuables out of checked luggage. Carry these items with you. 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).
- Convert cash into traveler's checks that can be reissued if lost. Carry the serial numbers separately from the traveler's checks.
Tips for Making Reservations
- You may make reservations by calling the airline, book via the airline's Website, or via your local travel agent. Airlines compensate travel agents through commissions, so most travel agents do not charge the traveler a fee for services.
- When asking about price, be sure to ask for the Senior Fare if you qualify. Senior Fares normally apply only to those in the traveling party who are age 65 or over. The airline may have other discounted fares for those not meeting the above age requirements. Some restrictions and seating limitations may apply.
- When talking with Reservations Sales Agents, if you do not completely understand the information they give you, ask them to repeat or explain it. Be sure to write down the information for your use. Also, make sure the Reservations Sales Agent has heard and spelled your name correctly.
- 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 Senior Fares.
- Some airlines offer reservations and information services for hearing impaired Customers who have access to a so called TDD machine (check with the airline for details).
- If your plans change, please cancel your reservations so others may reserve the seats.
- Making a flight reservation and purchasing a ticket are two separate functions. Making a reservation confirms a seat on a particular flight. It is necessary to actually purchase a ticket in order to confirm a fare.
- A customer may purchase Ticketless Travel over the telephone if paying by major credit card (check the airline for details).
Tips for Checking In
- It is recommended that you check in one (1) hour prior to flight time. This allows you to have ample time to check your luggage and receive your boarding pass without having to hurry.
- Some Carriers issue tickets, check luggage, and reconfirm reservations at the "main lobby" ticket counter. Also, either at the ticket counter or at the departure gate desk (mainly in the USA) you must obtain a boarding pass for your flight. You must have a boarding pass to board the aircraft.
- Some airlines overbook their flights to allow for those passengers who "no-show" (fail to show up to claim) their reservations. Each airline has its own regulations and cancellation policy. Airlines may require that you check in to obtain your boarding pass and arrive at the departure gate at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time of your flight. Failure to comply with this policy can result in the cancellation of your flight reservation. If this occurs, you will not be eligible for denied boarding compensation.
- Upon receipt of your ticket, make sure that the ticket has the correct originating city (beginning city of your journey) and destination (ending city of your journey).
- Payment can be done in various way, varying from cash, credit card, debit cards, checks through traveler checks. If paying by check, you will be required to present a valid identification, such as a passport, driver's license or country/state-issued identification card.
- If you are traveling on a Senior Fare, you must provide valid proof of age (driver's license or other accepted identification) at the time of ticket purchase and when exchanging your ticket for a boarding pass. A Medicare card is not considered valid proof of age.
- If a wheelchair is required, request one at the "main lobby" ticket counter. If traveling with your own electrical wheelchair, you must notify the airline well in advance and check in for your flight at least one hour prior to departure.
- When checking baggage, be sure to give your final destination (ending city) to the Agent at the ticket counter and not the city where you might connect to another flight.
- Complimentary coffee, juice, and cold drinks are served on most airline's flights. Alcoholic beverages are often available for purchase. Nuts or other snack items are available on selected flights. Note: Not all airlines serve meals.
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While we are hopeful that the new security procedures will not have a negative impact on your flying experience, we realize that things do not always go as planned. As an air traveler with a disability, if you feel that you have been treated in a discriminatory manner and in a way inconsistent with the safe carriage of all passengers, you may file a complaint against the airline or airport owner. See our pages on “How to file complaints”.
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