AARP's Partner Airline: British Airways
For AARP members seeking direct airline savings, British Airways is the primary partner. The discounts are specifically for round-trip transatlantic flights and must be booked online through a dedicated AARP-British Airways portal.
British Airways AARP Discount Breakdown
- Economy (World Traveller) and Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus): Members save $65 on round-trip tickets.
- Business Class (Club World): Members can save $200 on round-trip tickets.
It is important to note that these discounts do not apply to basic economy fares and may have specific travel window restrictions. The savings on a single business class ticket can easily cover the annual AARP membership fee for several years.
Booking Through the AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia
For more flexible flight options, the AARP Travel Center, operated by Expedia, provides benefits when booking packages. Instead of a direct discount on airfare alone, the incentive is a gift card.
How the Travel Center Gift Card Works
When an AARP member books a flight package that bundles airfare with either a hotel stay or a car rental, they will receive a $50 gift card. This gift card is typically delivered about a week before the travel date, and it can be used for various purposes. The AARP Travel Center also functions as a travel booking site, allowing you to compare deals from numerous airlines, including some that don't offer direct AARP discounts.
Comparison Table: AARP Flight Savings Options
| Feature | British Airways Direct Discount | AARP Travel Center (Expedia) |
|---|---|---|
| Saving Type | Fixed dollar amount off fare | $50 gift card for booking packages |
| Airlines Covered | Exclusively British Airways | Flights from most major airlines via Expedia |
| Travel Class | Economy, Premium Economy, Business | Any, but must be part of a package |
| Route Restriction | Round-trip transatlantic only | No route restrictions; can be domestic or international |
| Booking Method | Direct on ba.com/aarp | Via expedia-aarp.com or phone |
| Booking Requirement | Round-trip international ticket | Flight + hotel or flight + rental car package |
How to Maximize Your Flight Savings with AARP
To get the most value from your AARP membership when booking flights, consider a multi-pronged approach.
Strategic Booking Tips
- Start with the AARP Travel Center. Begin your search on expedia-aarp.com to compare flight prices across various airlines. This helps ensure you're getting a competitive base rate before applying other discounts.
- Evaluate British Airways for International Flights. If your trip is a round-trip transatlantic journey, visit the specific British Airways portal for AARP members. The $65 to $200 discount could be a greater saving than the $50 gift card from a package deal.
- Consider Bundling for Domestic Travel. For domestic trips, bundling your flight with a hotel or car rental through the AARP Travel Center will secure the $50 gift card, essentially a rebate on your package.
- Combine AARP with Other Programs. Layering your AARP benefit with airline loyalty programs can boost your overall reward earnings. You can still earn frequent flyer miles even when booking through the AARP Travel Center.
- Be Flexible with Travel Dates. Regardless of where you book, being flexible with your travel dates and avoiding peak seasons can lead to lower prices overall, compounding your AARP savings.
Conclusion
AARP membership provides concrete, though specific, savings on flights. For international, round-trip transatlantic travel on British Airways, the savings are direct and can be substantial—up to $200. For all other flights, the benefit lies in a $50 gift card, available when you book a flight-and-hotel or flight-and-car package through the AARP Travel Center powered by Expedia. While the $50 gift card is a modest bonus, the real value lies in the significant discount on British Airways flights. Ultimately, for frequent international travelers, the membership often pays for itself with a single trip. For domestic or casual travelers, the value depends on how often they bundle flights with other travel necessities through the AARP portal.
Sources
- The Senior List. "AARP Discounts on Flights (2025)." The Senior List, February 12, 2025.
- AARP. "Does AARP Have Flight Discounts? | Member Benefits." AARP.org, February 8, 2024.
- Seniorsite. "AARP Flight Discounts: Hidden Travel Savings for Seniors in 2025." Seniorsite.org, September 14, 2025.
