11 Ways to Score Free Drinks When Flying in Economy
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.
In Alaska's Premium Class, passengers get "complimentary cocktails, hand-selected wine and beer" on flights that have drink service.
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.
Leverage Your Elite Status
While this takes quite a bit of effort, you'll be able to get a free drink in economy if you earn top-tier elite status on most US airlines. American Airlines offers a complimentary alcoholic beverage to Executive Platinum members traveling in coach. United does the same for its 1K and Global Services elites. On Alaska, free drinks aren't just limited to top-tier elites — both MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K elites get a free drink. If you're looking for an elite status that requires the least amount of flying for free drinks, JetBlue Mosaic elites get a free alcoholic beverage, too.
While Delta Medallion members don't get free drinks as a stated benefit, elites who are upgraded to Delta Comfort+ can score a free drink as well.
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.
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 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."