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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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11 Ways to Score Free Drinks When Flying in Economy
JT is a location-independent digital nomad traveling 250,000+ miles each year with his wife Katie.
March 17, 2019 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Airlines offer several ways for economy passengers to receive complimentary alcoholic beverages, ranging from loyalty program perks to special holiday promotions.
Frequent flyers may receive drink coupons after a certain number of flights, while elite status can also unlock free drinks on select carriers.
Purchasing extra-legroom economy seats on some airlines includes complimentary alcohol, and international flights on legacy carriers often feature free beer or wine in economy.
Other methods include receiving compensation vouchers for service issues, leveraging airline fee credits, or bringing your own alcohol (with restrictions).
What to consider
Drink coupons are typically not awarded for flights booked with points or companion passes and require passengers to be at least 21 years old.
Holiday promotions for free drinks are not always published in advance and may vary by airline and year.
Bringing your own alcohol is allowed if under 3.4 ounces, but must be served by a flight attendant to comply with regulations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of each method to obtain complimentary drinks in economy, including specific airline policies and practical tips for maximizing your chances.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Did you know that, once upon a time, Southwest Airlines handed out a bottle of alcohol just for paying the full $26 one-way price for a ticket? In its early days, the Dallas-based airline faced steep competition from legacy airlines, so it drew business travelers in with the boozy perk. The offer was so popular that the airline briefly became the biggest Chivas Regal Scotch distributor in Texas.
While you can't get a fifth of alcohol just for flying Southwest nowadays, the airline still makes it possible for its economy passengers to enjoy free liquor. And it's not the only airline handing out complimentary drinks in the back of the airplane, either. Here are 11 ways to get free drinks when you fly economy.
Fly 10 Flights on Southwest
While Southwest's loyalty team won't confirm this as an official policy, Southwest flyers have generally scored free Southwest drink coupons for each 10 segments they fly with the airline. Unfortunately for points and miles collectors, flights booked with Rapid Rewards points or a Companion Pass don't count toward this milestone. You need to be at least 21 years old to start accumulating these flight credits and have your preference set in your Rapid Rewards account to receive drink coupons.
Southwest frequent flyers have also reported getting additional drink coupons when meeting the requirements for A-List, A-List Preferred and the Companion Pass. And Southwest usually sends its frequent flyers drink coupons for birthdays and select holidays.
But a Southwest spokesperson told TPG that the airline prefers to "surprise [customers]" with drink coupons, rather than basing it on published criteria.
Or Take a Break From Southwest
While flying Southwest a lot will get you coupons for free drinks, doing the opposite might also work for you. One TPG staff member received "we miss you" beverage coupons from Southwest trying to incentivize her to fly with the airline again after an absence.
Purchase an Extra-Legroom Economy Seat
Another way of scoring a "free" drink is to buy up to an extra-legroom economy seat on many US airlines. This free drink mini-trend started with Delta's Comfort+ seats, which are technically coded as a "premium economy" class of service rather than economy. For passengers in these seats, Delta offers a free drink in addition to the extra-legroom, early boarding and other incremental perks.
In 2018, American Airlines matched these perks in its extra-legroom Main Cabin Extra section. Passengers get "complimentary beer, wine and spirits" for paying a surcharge to get one of these MCE seats — or getting it free through elite status.
United doesn't offer free drinks in its Economy Plus extra-legroom seating.
Fly Southwest on a Holiday
Southwest has a long-running promotion to give passengers free drinks on certain holidays. These are listed at the bottom of the in-flight drink menu and are typically about once a month. Like with the drink coupon, Southwest officially likes to keep these a surprise. However, in past years, these holidays have included:
New Year's Day (Jan. 1)
Valentine's Day (Feb. 14)
St. Patrick's Day (March 17)
Southwest's birthday (confirmed for June 17, 2019)
Independence Day (July 4)
Anniversary of Southwest's credit card (Sept. 20)
Halloween (Oct. 31)
Thanksgiving (Nov. 28, if offered in 2019)
Fly Internationally on a Legacy Carrier
Although airlines have shifted away from offering free alcohol in economy, thankfully most legacy carriers still offer (at least) free beer and wine on international flights.
American Airlines, for example, recently expanded its free alcohol selection on certain routes. According to its food and beverage website, economy passengers on international AA flights to Asia can enjoy beer or wine, with spirits offered on Japan (NRT or HND) and Hong Kong (HKG) flights. Flights to Australia and New Zealand include beer, wine and spirits. Europe-bound flights are limited to beer or wine, and complimentary alcohol offerings, if any, vary on flights to South America. While it's not listed, we've found from experience that AA offers sparkling wine in economy on some international flights. But, you'll want to ask early, as they only stock a few mini-bottles on each flight.
Delta's policy is easier to follow and much more generous: "With every meal on long-haul international flights, enjoy complimentary beer, wine and spirits."
According to the chart on its website, United offers complimentary beer and house wines on routes between the US and Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Africa, Europe, India, Israel, the Middle East, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Tahiti.
While that covers the largest US airlines, many international full-service airlines also offer free wine or beer in economy on international flights. Some will even offer free spirits, such as Qantas — which had an impressive spirit selection on its 17-hour flight from Perth, Australia to London.
Qantas offers a wide range of free spirits in economy on its longest flight. (Photo by JT Genter/The Points Guy)
Complementary drinks on an airplane. (Photo by Getty Images)
Complain on United
On Valentine's Day in 2019, United launched a new compensation option for its passenger-facing employees. Customer service representatives and flight attendants can now award customers that experience minor issues or problems a free drink voucher. The passenger will receive an email with the voucher that can be redeemed in-flight.
Fly a Horizon Air Prop Plane
Alaska Airlines' regional airline, Horizon Air, offers a free drink on flights operated by one of its 48 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprop aircraft. Horizon's current beer selection includes Lagunitas 12th of Never Ale, Ninkasi Dawn of the Red IPA and Pyramid Outburst Berry Tart IPA. Wine options include Sagelands Vineyard Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Befriend Another Passenger
While Southwest flight attendants used to be lax about accepting expired coupons, that's not the case anymore. Now that passengers can't horde these coupons, you might luck out and end up sitting in a row with someone who has an expiring drink ticket or two they'll be happy to share with you.
It also can't hurt to snag a seat in a row with a passenger dressed for a business meeting. While Southwest's Business Select fares are rarely worth the buy-up, these fares can be the only option available for last-minute business travelers — or a company's allowance may allow the buy-up. In addition to early boarding and bonus points, these fares come with a coupon for a free drink on that flight.
Especially if they're headed to a meeting, these business travelers may have no intention of ever using the drink coupon. And since it's only valid on the day of travel, they won't be able to save it for future use. A handful of times, I've gotten free drink coupons from these generous seatmates.
Sharing a drink with the person sitting next to you. (Photo by ColorBlind Images/Getty Images)
Use Airline Fee Credits
If you have a premium credit card, you may able to use the card's airline fee credit to wipe out an in-flight drink purchase. Especially with an apparent crackdown on using these fees for unapproved expenses like gift cards, cardholders may need to find new ways to use these credits. So why not use them to get free drinks?
Examples include the annual up to $200 annual airline fee credit on The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required), the Chase Sapphire Reserve's $300 annual travel credit, the Citi Prestige Card's $250 travel credit, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card's up to $250 annual airline fee credit and the $300 annual travel credit on the discontinued Ritz-Carlton Credit Card.
The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bring Your Own Booze
Want to take matters into your own hands? You can always pack mini-bottles of your favorite beverage in your carry-on bag. While this is OK with the TSA — as long as the liquids are under 3.4 ounces — FAA regulations "prohibit passengers from drinking alcohol on board the aircraft unless it is served by the air carrier." So, you're going to need to find a flight attendant willing to open and serve you your own alcohol in order to avoid getting in trouble.
One American Airlines flight attendant told me that the most-important thing she wished flyers understood were the rules of BYOB. And while airlines may prefer that you buy alcohol on-board, flight attendants would rather open your alcohol for you rather than face a fine. So, give them a chance to serve it to you.
JetBlue, for one, is a bit more forthcoming about their policy: "You may bring wine, Champagne or beer on a flight for consumption during the flight if it is in an unopened container. If you’d like to drink the alcohol you carry on, you may give it to one of our Inflight crewmembers, and they will be happy to serve it to you."
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
