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For more than a decade, British Airways and the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) have partnered to offer travelers a discount when flying qualifying British Airways flights. With discounts up to $200 per person, this offer was reason enough to sign up for an AARP membership — regardless of your age.
In fact, this British Airways discount was what prompted me to sign up for AARP at the ripe old age of 30. And I've been an AARP member ever since.
Unfortunately, this lucrative discount is no longer available. This past weekend, we noticed that British Airways deleted its AARP discount page, and we now have confirmation from the airline that the discount has ended.
Here's what we know — and how you can still save on airfare.
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British Airways Confirms the End of the AARP Discount
British Airways's deletion of its AARP discount page was a strong signal that the partnership was over. But we still wanted to confirm with the airline. So, I contacted British Airways to ask about the AARP discount. Here's what I got in response.
Our partnership with AARP came to an agreed end in January. Our customers can continue to find a range of great-value fares and vacation packages through ba.com, with access to one of the world’s most extensive flight networks.
British Airways AARP Discount History
In recent years, British Airways and AARP have waited until the last minute before extending their partnership. The last time this discount was extended was on August 28, 2024 — just 3 days before it was scheduled to end on August 31, 2024. So, we weren't particularly concerned as the most recent deadline approached.
However, with British Airways now confirming the end of its AARP partnership, here's the history of the British Airways AARP discount as covered by AwardWallet over the past decade:
| For flights booked by: | Economy (World Traveller) | Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) | Business Class (Club World) | First Class (First) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/31/2026 | $65* | $65 | $200 | $200** |
| 08/31/2024 | $65* | $65 | $200 | $200** |
| 06/30/2024 | $65* | $65 | $200 | $200** |
| 03/31/2024 | $65* | $65 | $200 | $200** |
| 01/31/2024 | $65* | $65 | $200 | $200** |
| 01/31/2023 | $65* | $65 | $200 | $200** |
| 03/31/2022 | $65* | $65 | $200 | $200** |
| 01/31/2022 | $65* | $65 | $200 | $200** |
| 01/31/2021 | $65* | $65 | $200 | $200** |
| 04/30/2020 | $65 | n/a | $200 | n/a |
| 01/31/2020 | $65 | n/a | $200 | n/a |
| 01/31/2019 | $65 | n/a | $200 | n/a |
| 04/05/2018 | $65 | n/a | $400 | n/a |
| 01/31/2018 | $65 | n/a | $200 | n/a |
| 12/31/2017 | $65 | $130 | $200 | $200 |
| 01/31/2017 | $65 | $130 | $400 | $400 |
| 10/21/2016 | $65 | $130 | $400 | $400 |
| 07/31/2016 | $100 | $200 | $400 | $400 |
| 10/31/2015 | $65 | $130 | $400 | $400 |
* Not available for Basic economy tickets
** Discount is unadvertised but available
Other Ways to Still Get a Discount on Flights
While this discount is no longer available, travelers can still save on airfare using these discounts.
10% discount on British Airways flights
One of the stated benefits of the British Airways Visa Signature® Card is a 10% discount on eligible British Airways flights. However, we've noticed that this discount is applied when paying with any Chase-issued Visa card. To qualify, you'll need to fly a round-trip (or open-jaw) British Airways flight from the United States. Then, enter promo code BACHASE10 and use a Chase-issued Visa card at checkout.
- Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
- Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL.
- Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.
- 10% off British Airways flights starting in the US when you book through the website provided in your welcome materials.
- Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you'll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
- Simply tap to pay with your contactless British Airways Visa Signature Card. Just look for the contactless symbol at checkout. It's fast, easy and secure!
- Member FDIC
- 3X Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL
- 2X Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations
- 1X Avios for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Amex International Airline Program
Amex International Airline Program is another savings program that you can unlock by having the right credit card. Cardmembers of the American Express Platinum Card® and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express can get special rates on premium cabin travel on one of 38 airline partners. We've recently found cases where Amex IAP is offering over $400 in savings on eligible flights — but there's no cap to how much you can potentially save through this program.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
- More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
- More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
- More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
FoundersCard airline discounts
FoundersCard is a premium travel membership (not a credit card) that's open to any traveler who pays the membership fee. In addition to a slew of travel and business benefits, FoundersCard members can save up to 20% on airfare on its airline partners. If you aren't a member yet, use AwardWallet's referral link to save $100 and get waived initiation fees.
Save up to $600 each year on British Airways fuel surcharges
While not technically a discount, another way to save on British Airways flights is to use your British Airways Visa Card to pay the taxes and fees on British Airways award flights. Cardholders can get a statement credit of up to $200 to offset these often-sky-high fees, up to three times per year.
LifeMiles+ subscription
Another way to save on award flights is to sign up for a LifeMiles+ subscription. Members will save up to 25% on Avianca award flights, plus get a 10% rebate on Star Alliance awards — reducing what are already very reasonable redemption rates.
Final Thoughts
I'm sad to see the end of the British Airways AARP discount program. My wife and I have saved over $1,000 through the British Airways AARP discount over the past decade, making it easy to justify renewing our AARP membership each year.
Now that this discount has ended, I've just cancelled my AARP membership renewal. While there are surely other perks to being an AARP member — even for an employed 40-year-old — this British Airways discount was my primary reason for being a member.
The AARP discount was a great way to save hundreds of dollars on British Airways flights, and it will be missed. But travelers still have several ways to save on cash and award flights through other discount programs like the British Airways Visa discount and Amex International Airline Program.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: British Airways Visa Signature® Card (Rates & Fees), and American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees)
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