Airlines Dropping Senior Discounts : However, most carriers have followed American’s lead and are still offering fare reductions through coupon booklets.

As airlines jockey for position in the currently ultra-competitive air travel market, there have been a number of recent changes in senior discounts. For starters, most airlines are no longer offering them.

The changes started last month when American Airlines initiated the current fare wars by announcing that it was going to cut the wide variety of discount programs it offered in favor of a new low-cost, four-rate structure.

American then did away with its regular 10% senior domestic discounts (along with military, bereavement and a number of other long-established discounts). However, American still offers its 10% senior discounts on most flights to Europe and Latin America.

Most of the other major carriers have followed suit or modified their own senior programs. A few have not.

On the other hand, almost all airlines are still offering their senior coupon booklets for mature travelers age 62 and over. (The coupons are available in four- or eight-coupon books) Prices on some of the booklets are due to go up soon--but more on that later.

Here’s a quick rundown on the major airlines’ current senior discounts and other senior programs as of press time:

American: Dropped its 10% senior discount for domestic routes, but still offers Senior Saver coupon books (age 62 and over)--four for $516, eight for $896. These prices are due to go up May 20.

America West: Cut its senior discounts (age 62) from 10% to 5%. Offers senior coupons--four for $430, eight for $720, with a price increase expected “soon,” according to the airline.

Continental: Retained its regular senior (age 62) discount of 10% off most regular fares. Also offers Freedom Trip coupon books for age 62 and over--four for $499, eight for $849.

In addition, Continental still offers its Freedom Passport, one year’s domestic travel over its routes for those 62 and over--$1,999 for coach, $3,499 for first-class. Still in effect is the Golden Globe Passport (one year of domestic travel plus a choice of several foreign destinations). Cost is $4,499 for coach, $6,999 first-class.

Travelers buying the airline’s Freedom Passport now have the option to take grandchildren, ages 2-18, on any domestic round-trip flight for $300. Limit of two grandchildren per trip.

Delta: No more regular senior discounts, but Young-At-Heart coupons (age 62) cost $516 for four, $896 for eight. Price are expected to rise May 20 to $568 and $984, respectively.

Northwest: No more senior discounts, but senior coupons offered. Book of four at $488 during off-peak travel, $516 for any day travel; book of eight at $848 off-peak, $969 for any-day travel. A price hike, however, is expected by the end of this week.

Off-peak travel refers to flights departing on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday.

Southwest: Discounts remain the same for seniors (age 65 and over). Has no set overall discount, but offers up to 50%-60% off coach flights. Los Angeles to Phoenix, for example, is $49 for regular coach fares and $29 for seniors. Does not offer coupon books.

TWA: Retained its 10% senior (age 62) discounts. Also offers a Senior Travel Pak of four domestic flight coupons for $436, plus a bonus coupon of 20% off any of its international flights.

United: Dropped its regular senior (age 62) discount, but maintains its Silver Wings Club for those 60 and over. Club membership is $25 a year or $100 for life. The cost is refunded in credit on members’ first flight. Members get 10% off all United fares, plus deals on hotels and car rentals, and there are tie-in savings with British Airways, Alitalia, KLM, Iberian and Sabena airlines.

United also has senior coupon books (age 62)--four for $488 off-peak, $516 any day; eight for $848 off-peak, $896 any day. Prices are expected to increase by about $50 on Saturday.

USAir: Dropped its regular senior discount, but still offers senior (age 62) coupon books priced the same as Northwest and United. A price hike is expected soon.

The senior coupons remain a good bargain, though not on all routes or flights. On shorter trips, it might be cheaper to opt for one of the various advance-purchase fares, which could be lower in price. And the airlines often have special low promotional fares between cities that are not widely publicized.

If you deal directly with an airline when making your travel arrangements, be sure to explain that you are a mature traveler and specifically request the lowest fare available.