United offers discounts for younger travelers and the deal just got better

Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

For about three years, United Airlines has offered discounts to travelers between the ages of 18 and 22, but now the airline has expanded the offer to include 23-year-olds.

As a recent college graduate and United Airlines Premier 1K CZK members, I used this discount to save thousands of dollars on United flights. Even those who don’t often travel to the United States can save with this discount.

Discounts start at 5% on regular tickets, but they can be much higher on certain routes and dates. This is especially true for reservations. I have found more than 60% discount in some cases. This discounted fare is valid on any route originating in the United States and flying within North America; they may also include codeshare flights on Lufthansa, Swiss, Austria, Brussels, Air Canada, ANA or Air New Zealand with UA flight numbers.

For example, a close-in departure on a flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) costs $244.60; however, with a discount for younger travelers, the flight is only $92.51 – a 62% discount.

Today, we’re going to dig into the details of United Airlines’ discount for young travelers.

There are four simple steps to follow to find and book tickets with this discount United:

1. Download or open United app.
2. Sign in to your MileagePlus account. If you haven’t already, you can sign up for free and it’s a good idea to include your date of birth in the registration process.
3. Select “Reservation” on the bottom navigation bar.
4. Select “Discount travel (18-23 years old).” That way, the discount will automatically appear when you search for flights.

After following these steps, you will be taken to a new screen where you can search for flights. You will notice that you can only book flights for one traveler, yourself.

Discounts will automatically apply to eligible flights. You’re obviously looking at discounted flights if you can see the word “Discounted” in the green text below the flight price.

About United’s age discount

There are a few important terms to know about United’s age discounts:

• Travelers must be between 18 and 23 years old. Since your date of birth is taken from your MileagePlus account, you must be a MileagePlus member and include your date of birth on file.
• One passenger is allowed per confirmation number. When using the discount, you can only book one person on a unique confirmation number, even if your travel companion is between the ages of 18 and 23. Those passengers need to book separately. Historically, this has been challenged as United only allowed Free Premier upgrade and other Premier benefits are shared with a travel companion when they have the same confirmation number as the Premier member. (The only exception to this is with Economy Plus seats; you can call United to have your travel companion sit in Economy Plus if you’re a Premier member with your travel companion under some private validation.)
• This discount applies to basic economy and economy fares only. It’s a pity that there is no discount for Premium Plus and business class bookings. However, regular economy class tickets purchased with this discount are still eligible for an upgrade (paid, mileage, PlusPoints, instant or free), subject to availability.
• Premium members get all their benefits. United allows Premier members to receive all of their usual benefits; however, you may be slightly lower on the upgrade waiting list when traveling on tickets booked with the young traveler discount. In my experience, when going under the young traveler discount, I was one of the last Premier 1K members to get upgraded before Premier Platinum.
• The basic economy fares are also discounted. Basic economy fare There are some restrictions, including seat assignment at check-in, no seat changes or upgrades, no flight changes, no large carry-on baggage, and reduced MileagePlus Premier qualifying credits.

Minimum 5% discount on flights operated by United or United Express within North America originating in the United States. All published, no-contract economy class fares are eligible.

On international flights from the United States, United offers “various discounts.” Here’s what I’ve noticed with discounts on some international routes on flights originating from the United States. All fares are standard economy class on United unless otherwise noted:

• Roundtrip San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Heathrow Airport (LHR): 1% off, $772 off ticket price, $780 public fare.
• Roundtrip from Dulles International Airport (IAD) to São Paulo / Guarulhos Airport (GRU) (one stop each way): 17% off, $1,382 discounted fare, $1,666 public fare.
• Denver International Airport (DEN) to Puerto Vallarta’s Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR): 4% off, $614 discount fare, $638 public fare.
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Sydney Airport (SYD): 12% off, $2,525 off, $2,870 public fare.
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Vienna Airport (VIE) (Austrian Airlines codeshare flight): 10% off, $1,301 off fare, $1,441 public fare.
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) (Air Canada codeshare flight): no discount.

Related: How to get maximum value from United MileagePlus

Hot spots to maximize your United discount

As mentioned, last-minute flights tend to be more discounted. My earlier example – a flight from San Francisco to Seattle departing four days later – showed a discount of more than 60%; same flight two weeks later only 5% discount.

Flights where the origin and/or destination is not a hub often have a higher discount than center-to-center flights. For example, flights between Newark (EWR) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD), two Center flowertend to be less discounted than flights between non-central cities such as Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), John Wayne Airport (SNA), and Redmond City Airport (RDM).

Five days in advance, flights between EWR and ORD are discounted about 7%; flights from SNA to ORD are about 53% off.

As a recent college graduate, I’m always looking for The best way to save on my next trip and United this discount is a great way to do it, especially if you have last minute travel needs. Now, travelers 23 and under can enjoy these discounts.

Search around for the best discount for your travel needs. Fluctuating prices can take a few different searches throughout the week to find the best price – but once you find a deal, it’ll be well worth it.

Additional reporting by Kyle Olsen.