Does Southwest Airlines Offer Student Discount

You are a student and you already know that travel is not the most budget-friendly experience. With all the tuition, books, food, and the occasional late-night pizza delivery, you are not likely to have much left over in your budget to buy airfare. That’s usually when we start hunting for Southwest Airlines student discounts like they’re buried treasure.

Southwest Airlines pops up a lot when people talk about affordable flying in the U.S. They’ve got the whole “friendly and straightforward” vibe, and hey, two free checked bags is nothing to sneeze at. But here’s the big question do they actually have a student discount?

Does Southwest Airlines really have Student Discount

A few years back, the answer would’ve been “yes.” You could call Southwest, say you were a student, and get a special fare. But like free refills at certain coffee shops, those days are gone. The dedicated Southwest Airlines student discount quietly faded out, and now there’s no official program for it.

Sounds like a bummer, right? But don’t click away just yet — because even without that student-only perk, Southwest still offers a few things that can make your bank account breathe a little easier.

Why Students Still Fly Southwest Anyway

Consider Southwest as the friend who never shows up with fancy snacks at the party, but they always bring something that everyone loves. It is not fancy, but it is consistent and inexpensive in the right conditions.

Here’s why students still end up booking with Southwest Airlines:

Two bags fly free: If you’re hauling laundry home for the holidays or moving back to campus, this alone can save $60–$100 compared to other airlines.
No change fees: Sometimes semester plans & exams can shift fast. Southwest lets you change your flight without slapping you with a $200 penalty. You simply pay the difference in case the new ticket is more expensive.
Frequent sales: Their “Wanna Get Away” fares can be ridiculously cheap if you’re quick to grab them.
Easy booking process: No additional costs for bringing a carry-on or unexpected surcharges at the register.

How to get Southwest Airlines Student Discount?

Even without a Southwest student discount button to click, you can still work the system a little. Here’s what’s worked for budget travelers:

Low Fare Calendar Check: On the Southwest official website, there is a monthly view that indicates the least expensive ticket days to fly. If you can travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you’ll usually score a better deal.
Become a member of Rapid Rewards: It’s free, and if you go home a few times a semester, the points accumulate more quickly than you may imagine.
Set up sale alerts: Their biggest sales tend to drop in January, June, and September. Sign up for emails so you don’t miss them.
Book one-ways: It sounds weird, but it’s sometimes cheaper to book your flight as two separate one-way flights instead of a round trip.
Stay flexible: If you are flexible enough, then there are better odds of snagging a bargain.

What About Booking Through Student Travel Sites

You might find Southwest flights listed on sites like StudentUniverse, but it’s hit-or-miss. Even if you spot them, the perks (like free checked bags) sometimes work better when you book directly. That’s especially true if you think you might need to change your trip later Southwest makes that super painless compared to third-party booking sites.

If You’re Dead Set on a Student Discount

If the idea of booking without a special “student price” feels wrong, there are other airlines that cater more directly to students:

United Airlines teams up with StudentUniverse for reduced fares.
American Airlines has its own student program with cheaper tickets and seat selection included.
Lufthansa offers special international fares for students.

That said, don’t just assume the “student fare” is automatically the cheapest. I’ve seen regular Southwest sales beat those prices more than once.

Conclusion

No, there’s no Southwest Airlines student discount anymore. And yeah, that’s kind of a let-down if you were hoping to flash your school ID and instantly save money. But if you look at the whole picture, free bags, no change fees, and plenty of sales it’s still a solid pick for budget-minded students.

The real secret? Book early, stay flexible, and stalk that Low Fare Calendar. With a little timing and luck, you can land fares that feel like you got the discount anyway.

Southwest Airlines Vacation Package