Deal alert: $88 round-trip domestic flights with United

As the traditionally slow fall travel season begins, many airlines are offering discounted flight deals to promote travel.

If you're looking for a round-up of the latest discounts from United Airlines, check out its Weekly Deals page.

United's summary of flight deals from around the country currently highlights many domestic fares that are under $120 for round-trip flights. The cheapest fares highlighted on this deal page begin at $88 for a round-trip flight.

Many of United's discounted flight deals are for short-haul flights, such as the route between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for $88.

Depending on the date and availability, you can also find sub-$120 flights for medium- to longer-range domestic flights, like between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Orlando International Airport (MCO), for $118.

Keep in mind that many of these discounted flight deal prices are for United's basic economy seats. This fare class does not allow carry-on bags, so deal-hunters and heavy packers should read the fine print before booking one of these flights.

Here are details on some of United's discounted flights and itineraries.

Deal basics

Airline: United Airlines.
Routes: Between various U.S. cities.
How to book: Directly with United.
Travel dates: Starting in October.
Book by: While discounted tickets are available.

Related: Fall airfares might provide some relief for inflation-weary travelers

Sample flights

United's weekly flight deals page, pictured above, shows a regularly updated set of domestic flight deals based on recent passenger searches. You can also find these deals on Google Flights, which is a convenient tool to see competing fares from other airlines.

The flight deals page also includes international flight deals, which can serve as an inspiration for planning some last-minute getaways.

Most of United's featured flight deals are for travel one to two months in advance, but searches on Google Flights can reveal savings opportunities farther in the future.

Newark to Orlando

United is offering $118 round-trip flights between Newark and Orlando — a great price for a Florida getaway as the weather begins to get colder.

Many booking dates for this price are still available from October through November. Most discounted flights are only available for mid-week travel between Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Note that, as illustrated above, the $118 fare is for United's basic economy class of seats. This fare class charges an additional $70 for a checked bag and requires a $60 upgrade to economy class to take a carry-on bag aboard.

However, if you're a United MileagePlus Premier member, have Star Alliance Gold status or book your fare with an applicable MileagePlus credit card, you can bring a free carry-on bag on board and check a free bag even when flying basic economy.

Related: TPG's complete guide to visiting Universal Orlando

Los Angeles to San Francisco

United's Weekly Deals page also highlights $88 fares for flights connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco. Again, this fare is for the basic economy class tickets, which are subject to high baggage and carry-on surcharges unless you have United status or book with an applicable credit card.

This $88 fare is on the lower side of pricing for this route but is not an unheard-of deal. If you can find a fall mid-week itinerary that matches your schedule and can work around the baggage limitations, we recommend this deal.

Some long weekend Thursday to Tuesday itineraries on this route are available for slightly higher prices, in the $92-$108 range.

Maximize your purchase

It's always a good idea to pack a credit card to maximize any purchases you make during your trip. Using a United℠ Explorer Card to book the flights (and any other baggage charges along the way) can help earn you bonus miles and speed up your way to status awards.

For more flexibility in spending points, The Platinum Card® from American Express earns 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year.

The Citi Premier® Card earns 3 points per dollar spent on airfare, while the American Express® Gold Card earns 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel.

Bottom line

United Airlines' Weekly Deals page is a good place to find discounted airfares along many of United's short and medium-length domestic flight itineraries.

Featured itineraries on United's deals round-up are typically for mid-week flights one to two months in advance of travel.

While the fares on United's deals page initially appear attractive, travelers should be aware that most of the featured tickets are for United's basic economy class seats which have luggage restrictions.

Before comparing these prices to other airlines or booking a trip, be sure to account for potential additional surcharges on baggage and seat assignments.