Students are always in search of opportunities to decrease the price of their plane tickets. Whether you are returning to your native place during a school break, meeting your family, getting acquainted with a new culture, or taking a holiday with your mates, any savings on your tickets are helpful. So, the obvious question is: What is the discount rate available to students at United Airlines?
The United Airlines provides its eligible MileagePlus members aged from 18 to 23 years with an exclusive 5% Young Adult Discount, starting from 2026 and booked via the United mobile app. One should pay attention to the fact that it is a young-adult discount, not a student one, which requires college/university membership.
How Much Is the United Student Discount?
The current United Young Adult Discount offers 5% savings on qualified flights. This offer is available to qualified MileagePlus members who are between the ages of 18 and 23 years old and who book their tickets using the United mobile application. United refers to the offer as an in-app only discount.
For instance, for a qualified flight ticket whose price qualifies for 5% discount at $400, a 5% discount amounts to $20, making the discounted price of the ticket to be around $380.
Your savings will depend on your qualified fare and any other terms and conditions related to your booking.
Is It a Student Discount or Young Adult Discount?
The offer, although widely referred to as the United Airlines Student Discount Offer, is officially known as the Young Adult Discount from United. Although it might seem obvious that the primary criterion for receiving this offer would be student status, age and MileagePlus membership are more significant criteria when qualifying for this offer. Thus, an individual aged 18 to 23, who does not go to college, is equally qualified for this offer.
Who Can Get the 5% Discount?
The current promotion offered by United Airlines is available to MileagePlus members aged between 18 to 23 years old, only if they are eligible to use it and make reservations using the mobile app of United Airlines.
If you fit this age group, then it is advisable that you enter your date of birth on your MileagePlus account because any error in your account will reduce the visibility of this promotion.
If you lack a MileagePlus account, then creating one is advantageous to you because this promotion is linked to your MileagePlus account.
How to Get the United Young Adult Discount ?
1. Join MileagePlus
Sign up for a MileagePlus account on United’s site if you are not currently a member. Having membership status gives you an opportunity to benefit from everything associated with the frequent flier program of United. Make sure that all your personal information is correct, particularly your date of birth.
2. Download the United App
Since the Young Adult Discount is flagged as an in-app-only offer, you should search for your flight using the United app. Login into your MileagePlus account before searching for your flight.
3. Search for Your Flight
Enter your departure airport, destination, travel dates, and passenger details. Look at the list of flights and check to see if the Young Adult Discount has been applied.
4. Compare Your Options
Never assume that a flight with a 5% discount should be chosen. Consider the price of the flight, duration of the flight, luggage policy, connection flights, and terms of use of the fare.
Cheapest discounted fare does not necessarily guarantee the best offer.
Does the Discount Apply to Every United Flight?
Answer: No. The Young Adult Discount cannot be considered a universal 5% discount off all United Airlines tickets.
It is referred to as a discount offered to eligible MileagePlus members between 18 and 23 years old who book via the United app according to United’s official website.
Thus, the availability of applicable fare may differ depending on the particular flight.
Therefore, you should check the cost of your ticket during booking.
What If You Are Older Than 23?
Having an age above 23 means that you will not qualify for the Young Adult Discount offered by United Airlines. Going to a university or college does not always make you eligible either. But there are always ways in which you can lower your United travel expenses. You can compare various dates of travel, see whether you should use a different airport, find promotional rates, or sign up for MileagePlus and benefit from the special offers available for you.
Final Thoughts
Therefore, what kind of discount can students expect from their United flights? The good news is that from 2026, those who are in the age group of 18 to 23 years old and who have signed up for MileagePlus can enjoy a 5% Young Adult Discount.
It is essential to note that even though the discount is known by many as a student discount, it is actually a young-adult discount. Therefore, being a student doesn’t necessarily mean one will benefit from the discount.
Before making use of this deal, you should first confirm your eligibility for the same. After this, all you have to do is log into your MileagePlus account, locate your flight through the United application and then check whether you have received the right discount on the ticket.
Read Also: How Can I Book a Flight with Delta Airlines?
