United offers discounts to 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 extended the offer to include 23-year-olds.
As a recent college graduate and United Airlines Premier 1K member, I've used this discount to save thousands of dollars on United flights. Even those who aren't frequent United travelers can save with this discount.
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Discounts start at 5% off a normal ticket, but they can be much higher on certain routes and dates. This is particularly true on close-in bookings. I have found discounts of more than 60% in some cases. These discounted fares are valid on any route that originates in the U.S. and flies within North America; they may also include codeshare flights on Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels, Air Canada, ANA or Air New Zealand with a UA flight number.
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 the young traveler discount, the flight is just $92.51 — a 62% discount.
Today, we'll go through the ins and outs of the United Airlines young traveler discount.
How to book this discount on United flights
There are four easy steps to follow to find and book fares with this discount, according to United:
1. Download or open the United app.
2. Log into your MileagePlus account. If you don't have one, you can sign up for free and should include your date of birth in the registration process.
3. Select “Book” on the bottom navigation bar.
4. Select "Discounted travel (ages 18-23)." 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'll notice that you can only book a flight for one traveler, yourself.
The discount will automatically apply to eligible flights. It will be clear that you are looking at discounted flights if you can see the word “Discounted” in green text below the flight price.
About United's age discount
There are several important terms to know about United's age discount:
- Travelers must be between 18 and 23 years old. As your date of birth is pulled from your MileagePlus account, you have to be a MileagePlus member and put 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 single confirmation number, even if your traveling companion is between the ages of 18 and 23. Those passengers need to make their own reservations. Historically, this has been challenging as United only allows complimentary Premier upgrades and other Premier benefits to be shared with a companion when they're on the same confirmation number as the Premier member. (The only exception to this is with Economy Plus seating; you can call United to have your companion seated in Economy Plus if you're a Premier member with your companion on a separate confirmation number.)
- This discount is only valid for economy and basic economy fares. It's a bummer that there isn't a discount on Premium Plus and business class bookings. However, normal economy tickets purchased with this discount are still eligible for upgrades (paid, mileage, PlusPoints, instant or complimentary), based on availability.
- Premier members get all their benefits. United allows Premier members to receive all their normal benefits; however, you might be a bit lower on the upgrade waitlist when traveling on a ticket booked using the young traveler discount. In my experience, when traveling on the young traveler discount, I am one of the last Premier 1K members to be upgraded before Premier Platinum members.
- Basic economy fares are eligible for the discount as well. Basic economy fares have several restrictions, including seat assignments at check-in, no seat changes or upgrades, no flight changes, no full-size carry-on bags and reduced MileagePlus Premier qualifying credit.
There is a minimum 5% discount on United or United Express-operated flights within North America originating in the United States. All published, non-contracted economy class fares are eligible.
On international flights from the U.S., United offers "varying discounts." Here's what I found the discounts to be on some international routes on flights originating from the U.S. All fares are standard economy on United unless otherwise noted:
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Heathrow Airport (LHR) round-trip: 1% discount, $772 discounted fare, $780 public fare.
- Dulles International Airport (IAD) to São Paulo/Guarulhos Airport (GRU) round-trip (one-stop each direction): 17% discount, $1,382 discounted fare, $1,666 public fare.
- Denver International Airport (DEN) to Puerto Vallarta's Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR): 4% discount, $614 discounted fare, $638 public fare.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Sydney Airport (SYD): 12% discount, $2,525 discounted fare, $2,870 public fare.
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Vienna Airport (VIE) (Austrian Airlines codeshare flight): 10% discount, $1,301 discounted 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 the United MileagePlus program
Sweet spots to maximize your United discount
As mentioned, last-minute flights tend to have steeper discounts. My earlier example — the flight from San Francisco to Seattle leaving four days later — shows more than a 60% discount; the same flight two weeks later only shows a 5% discount.
Flights where the origin and/or destination is not a hub often show steeper discounts than hub-to-hub flights. For example, flights between Newark (EWR) and Chicago O'Hare (ORD), two United hubs, tend to be less discounted than flights between non-hub cities such as Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), John Wayne Airport (SNA) and Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM).
Five days in advance, flights between EWR and ORD are showing about a 7% discount; flights from SNA to ORD are showing about a 53% discount.
Bottom line
As a recent college graduate, I am always looking for the best ways to save on my next trip, and this United discounted fare is a great way to do it, particularly if you have a last-minute travel need. Now, travelers up to age 23 can enjoy these discounts.
Search around for yourself to find the best discount for your travel needs. Volatile prices might take a few different searches throughout the week to find the best price — but once you find a deal, it will be worth it.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.