Skip to content
Go to Home Page
News

United Airlines adds 20 nonstop flights for college football season

Aug. 22, 2024
•
5 min read
United Boeing 737 Newark EWR
United Airlines adds 20 nonstop flights for college football season
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

United Airlines wants to help you cheer on your favorite team — in person.

The Chicago-based carrier announced on Tuesday that it's adding 20 nonstop flights and upgauging 115 flights for 30 of the biggest college football games this season.

These added flights cover many key matchups of the season, including Ohio State versus Oregon on Oct. 12 and Alabama against LSU on Nov. 9.

Value check: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?

You'll find the full list of added flights at the bottom of this story, and all of the flights are already available for sale on united.com and the airline's mobile app.

UNITED

United is the latest major U.S. airline to add special flights for key sports games. While airlines have long boosted flights for big-ticket matchups and high-profile events like the Final Four or the Consumer Electronics Show (it's the techie equivalent of the Super Bowl), we're seeing more and more carriers add flights for high-profile regular-season games.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

So far this year, Delta Air Lines has unveiled more than 50 special nonstop flights for college football season, and Southwest Airlines has added 42 new flights for the NFL football season.

For airlines, these flights seem to be a win-win. They can take advantage of increased demand for these matchups, which typically occur on weekends when they have some extra capacity to support these flights.

In fact, these flights also often draw the attention of aviation enthusiasts, who sometimes revel in the opportunity to take unique one-off commercial routes like Shanghai to Las Vegas.

“Connecting travelers to the moments that matter most to them is at the core of what we do at United. We know fans will appreciate this year’s special football schedule that will make it easier to cheer on their teams on the road," said Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, in a statement.

MatchupDateFromTo
LSU at USC
Aug. 31
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR) in Louisiana
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas
Texas at Michigan
Sept. 6
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Northern Illinois at Notre Dame
Sept. 6
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
South Bend International Airport (SBN) in Indiana
Alabama at Wisconsin
Sept. 13
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) in Alabama
Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) near Madison, Wisconsin
Tennessee at Oklahoma
Sept. 20
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) near Knoxville, Tennessee
Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) in Oklahoma City
USC at Michigan
Sept. 20
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
DTW
Miami (OH) at Notre Dame
Sept. 20
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
SBN
Arkansas at Texas A&M
Sept. 27
Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA)
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Louisville at Notre Dame
Sept. 27
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Kentucky
SBN
Tennessee at Arkansas
Oct. 4
TYS
XNA
Stanford at Notre Dame
Oct. 11
San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) in California
SBN
Ole Miss at LSU
Oct. 11
Memphis International Airport (MEM)
BTR
Ohio State at Oregon
Oct. 11
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Ohio
Eugene Airport (EUG) in Oregon
Penn State at USC
Oct. 11
State College Regional Airport (SCE) in Pennsylvania
LAX
LSU at Arkansas
Oct. 18
BTR
XNA
Georgia at Texas
Oct. 18
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
AUS
Notre Dame at Georgia Tech
Oct. 18
SBN
ATL
Notre Dame at Navy
Oct. 25
SBN
EWR
Nebraska at Ohio State
Oct. 25
Lincoln Airport (LNK) in Nebraska
CMH
Wisconsin at lowa
Nov. 1
MSN
Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Alabama at LSU
Nov. 8
BHM
BTR
Florida State at Notre Dame
Nov. 8
EWR
SBN
Texas at Arkansas
Nov. 15
AUS
XNA
Ohio State at Northwestern
Nov. 15
CMH
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago
Virginia at Notre Dame
Nov. 15
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) near Washington, D.C.
SBN
Northwestern at Michigan
Nov. 22
ORD
DTW
Wisconsin at Nebraska
Nov. 22
MSN
LNK
Alabama at Oklahoma
Nov. 22
BHM
OKC
Army at Notre Dame
Nov. 22
SBN
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York
Oklahoma at LSU
Nov. 29
OKC
BTR

Related reading:

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

TPG featured card

Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

Apply for American Express® Gold Card
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

Excellent to Good

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.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

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.