United Airlines Student Discount: A Comprehensive Guide for Young Travelers

Traveling as a student offers incredible opportunities for exploration and cultural immersion. However, the financial aspect can be daunting. Student discounts on flights can significantly ease the burden, making travel dreams more attainable. This article delves into the United Airlines student discount policy, along with other airline options and strategies for securing affordable flights.

United Airlines Student Discount: The Young Adult Discount

United Airlines offers a discount for young travelers aged 18-23 through their MileagePlus program. This isn't technically a student discount, but rather a discount for travelers aged 18-23, so if you're a student aged 24 and up, this won’t work for you.

Eligibility and How to Claim

To qualify for the United Airlines student discount, here's what you need to know:

Age Requirement: Be between 18 and 23 years old at the time of booking.
MileagePlus Membership: Be a member of the MileagePlus program (United's frequent flyer program).
Booking Method: Access the discount through the United app when signed into your MileagePlus account.
Discounted Fares: Access special fares for students on domestic and international flights.

Discount Details and Benefits

Discount Amount: Up to 5% off select fares.
Eligible Fares: The discount applies to most economy and premium cabin fares, giving young travelers affordable options for both domestic and international trips.

Important Considerations

Taxes and Fees: The discount doesn't cover taxes, fees, surcharges, or checked baggage fees.
Validity: Discount valid until December 31, 2025.
Ticket Requirements: Must be booked through the United app.

Other Perks (Potentially)

Free Checked Baggage: United Airlines student baggage allowance includes a free checked bag, based on your fare class.
Full-Sized Carry-On: Bring a full-sized carry-on at no extra cost.
Flexible Changes: Make changes to your flight with fewer fees.
Priority Boarding: Some fares include priority boarding for faster access.

Maximizing Your Savings

Chase Credit Card: Use your United Chase credit card for discounted tickets and enjoy card member benefits, but only for your own booking.

Is it Worth It?

Keep in mind, United’s cheapest fare does NOT include a carry-on bag, while most of their competitors offer one by default. So, to us, this discount is only worth it if United is one of the few airlines serving the route you want to fly, or if they are already significantly cheaper on that route than any of their competitors.

Other Airlines with Student Discounts

While United Airlines offers a specific discount for young adults, several other airlines provide student discounts or similar programs.

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Turkish Airlines: Up to 20% off flights worldwide, extra baggage, and free changes.
Emirates: Discounts up to 10% and extra baggage for economy and business class passengers. Students ages 16-31 are eligible for this deal, which will be verified by your student ID at check-in. This discount also expires on March 31, 2023, but keep on the lookout as there always could be new ones.
Lufthansa: Student fares with added baggage perks, flexibility with booking, and an extra checked bag, even on fares that wouldn’t include one otherwise.
JetBlue: Save 20% with flexible options.
Spirit Airlines: 20% discount for verified students via Student Beans.
Air Asia: You can get up to 20% discounts when booking flights with Air Asia.

European Airlines

Air France: Claims to offer a discounted student rate with proof of enrollment. All student tickets are also advertised to include 2 checked bags, ideal if you’re planning a big move.
Iberia: Iberia’s student discount is through their Iberia Joven (Spanish for “young”) program and claims to offer 10% off bookings and 15% off group bookings if you are between the ages of 16 and 30.
KLM: KLM is pretty similar to their partner airline Air France in that they have student discounts on offer, but finding the discounted fares can be a bit of a struggle - if at all possible! If you’re in the EU, simply go to their standard home page and select “Youth (18-24)” in the passenger field. You’ll automatically get a ‘youth fare’ that’s the same as their standard fare, but it’s refundable.
SAS: SAS’ Youth tickets might just be the best deal in the entire world of student discounts, but it will take some trial and error to get just right. No special sign-up is required, and it works in all regions. Simply select Youth (12-25) as your ticket type when doing your search, and the discounted fares will automatically be applied.

Other Airlines Around the World

Air India: Air India’s student discount is exclusive to students that are actively studying within India.

Smart Booking Strategies for Student Travelers

Even if a specific student discount isn't available, several strategies can help students find affordable flights.

BYOjet for Students: BYOjet for Students (formerly StudentUniverse) remains a leading platform for student fares (ages 18-25). After you submit your age, you’ll need to verify your full-time student status with a valid ID to unlock eligible student fares on the site. When planning your trip, compare their prices with standard airline fares on Skyscanner to find the best deal and help you stay within your budget.
Skyscanner Price Alerts: Set up Skyscanner Price Alerts to track airfare changes on your desired route. You’ll be immediately notified when prices go up or down, meaning you can secure the best deal as soon as it's available.
Flexibility: Consider alternative airports, travel dates, and flight times to find the cheapest options. You may even want to choose a different destination all together (check our Everywhere search to find cheap fares around the world). Flexibility is key to securing student discount flights.
Advance Booking: If you’re going to be flying within the USA, start searching for student flights between one and three months before your chosen departure date. If you want to fly internationally, begin your search at least three months in advance.
Compare Airlines: Not all airlines offer student discounts, but many do, so it’s worth comparing airfare from all airlines when searching for flights. Check for promo codes from student sites like BYOjet for Students, as you may be able to find additional discounts.

Proof of Student Status

To access discounted plane tickets, you'll typically need to provide proof of enrollment at a college or university, such as a student ID. In some cases you need to wait for your documents to be verified before you can move forward with booking at a lower rate.

The best way to prove your student status is by supplying your student ID when you book your flights. If you don’t have this yet, an acceptance letter from your college or university may suffice.

Additional Tips and Considerations

Check for Promo Codes: Look for promo codes from student-focused websites like BYOjet for Students, as these may offer additional savings.
Read Reviews: Check online for reviews and feedback from other travelers regarding specific airlines and routes.
Consider Travel Tuesday: Keep an eye on newsletters and promotional events like Travel Tuesday for potential deals.
Basic Economy Tickets: Delta’s basic economy tickets (Delta Main Basic) are a good option for saving on airfare if you’re ok with limitations on changes, upgrades, and seat selection.
Limited Destinations: Student discounts may only be available for select destinations, but this depends on the airline you book with. Be open to different destinations where possible to get the best deals.
Combining Discounts: Usually, it isn’t possible to combine student discounts with other promotions.

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