PHOENIX, Calif. -- It pays to be gay when flying America West Airlines.

With a few points and clicks on the airline's Web site, gay and lesbian travelers can find some perks -- including 10 percent discounts.

For the 10 percent airfare discount to a gay pride event anywhere in the United States, travelers have to log on to the airline's Web site.

The airline offers the reduced-price fares using an honor system. There's not a check in place with which the airline can confirm a traveler's sexual orientation, of course.

National statistics suggest that the gay and lesbian community spent $581 million last year to travel.

Some industry experts said many gay travelers, who may not have children and can be more flexible in travel plans, are a valuable economic community to attract.

"It's a marketing niche-driven decision. It's no different than targeting seniors or other groups that have a lot of time to travel, high disposable income and tend to travel more," said Michael Mcfall of the Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

In the past, gays and lesbians booked most of their flights on so-called gay-friendly airlines, including American. America West hopes to change that with its new promotion, but some travelers said the special offers aren't fair.

"I just feel, if you do it for one, you do it for all. I doubt that will ever happen," traveler Meredith Jaramillo said.

But that's not true, according to America West.

"Any group that has research that shows they have a high disposable income, frequent travelers and tend not to choose America West, we would be very interested in that data," said Elise Eberwein of America West Airlines.

Link: America West Airlines Web site