Promo Radar™
List of promotions, sales, and discounts as announced by airlines.
We are currently monitoring over 150 carriers, including United Airlines.
updated November 27, 2023
What is the best time to book United Airlines flights?
The best time to book international United Airlines flights is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) is 4–6 months before takeoff. For United domestic flights within United States, making a reservation from 4 to 8 weeks in advance is recommended.
Why do prices fluctuate?
Airfare prices fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches.Airlines such as United Airlines use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales. Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
United start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – the airline typically starts by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats.
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights with United Airlines, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. It is the “Prime Booking Window” – after some seats have already been sold, the airline starts dropping prices to stimulate demand. It may also offer promotions and sales (especially for flights departing from its hub in O'Hare International Airport ORD, Denver International Airport DEN, Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport GUM, George Bush Intercontinental Airport IAH, Los Angeles International Airport LAX). This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. The American airline charges higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
Select a late night or early morning (1–5 am) flight to save on airfare. United Airlines often offers discounts on their first morning flight (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by United for dates it expects to be popular. Avoid the high season during summer and major holidays, including holidays in the country you’re flying to.
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Why is United Airlines so cheap on ATC?
United Airlines can be extremely cheap when you seize opportunities such as ‘mistake fares‘, sudden price drops, sales and promotions or employ strategies like hidden city ticketing. Moreover, United Airlines flights associated with their main American hub airport — O'Hare International Airport ORD — are typically priced lower due to the benefits of economies of scale and streamlined operations.
Air Traveler Club has a team of experts who diligently monitor for price reductions, promotional offers (often not widely advertised), under-the-radar airline sales, and other potential savings on flights. In the case of United, we particularly focus on tracking prices for flights originating from their Chicago hub.
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United Airlines reviews 2023,A.I. summary
We let the A.I. analyze thousands of United reviews for an averaged, more accurate rating and opinion. Please note: this is an experimental feature.
Overall rating
| Baggage handling | ★★★☆☆ |
|---|---|
| Seat comfort | ★★★☆☆ |
| Food | ★★★☆☆ |
| Entertainment | ★★★☆☆ |
| Crew | ★★★★☆ |
| Customer support | ★★★☆☆ |
Is United Airlines a good airline?
United Airlines, rated 3/5, is generally considered a decent performer within the airline industry — with a blend of positive and negative passenger experiences. Factors contributing to positive experiences include an extensive flight network, efficient service, and professional staff. Negative reviews mention occasional delays, overpriced food, issues with customer service, and baggage handling.
Strengths
- Extensive route network: United Airlines has a vast flight network covering most major cities in the world.
- Loyalty program: United Airlines’ MileagePlus loyalty program is one of the most popular in the world.
- Friendly and helpful crew: The crew on United Airlines flights are generally known for being friendly and helpful.
Weaknesses
- Delayed and canceled flights: United Airlines has a reputation for having a high number of delayed and canceled flights.
- Expensive food and drinks: The food and drinks on United Airlines flights are generally more expensive than on other airlines.
- Limited entertainment options: The entertainment options on United Airlines flights are limited compared to other airlines.
Passenger's experience
Is United Airlines a budget airline?
No, United Airlines is not a budget airline but a traditional, full-service carrier. It is one of the largest airlines in United States, a member of the Star Alliance, and it offers a broad spectrum of services that distinguish it from budget airlines. These include free checked baggage, complimentary meals and beverages (even in Economy), on-board amenities (blankets, pillows, sometimes noise-cancelling headphones) on long-haul flights, and a wide range of in-flight entertainment.
Furthermore, United provides multiple travel classes, such as Basic Economy, Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First — each with varying levels of comfort, space, and amenities. In contrast, budget airlines typically offer only Economy class with minimal benefits.
What can I expect when flying with United?
When flying with United Airlines, you can expect a generally good experience. The airline has an extensive flight network, connecting you to numerous domestic and international destinations.
United provides Wi-Fi connectivity on many flights, and in-flight entertainment (movies, TV shows, and music) to keep you busy during your journey.
However, you should also be aware that United Airlines has a reputation for delayed and canceled flights.
What are the seating options?
Here are the seating options offered by United Airlines for their different service tiers:
- United Polaris: United’s international business class product, United Polaris, features fully lie-flat seats with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 configuration on most widebody aircraft. It also includes a duvet and pillows, a premium amenity kit, and enhanced food and beverage options.
- Premium Transcontinental Service: Available on select flights between Newark and Los Angeles or San Francisco, and Boston and San Francisco, these seats are similar to domestic first-class seats but include additional amenities such as premium meal service, free alcoholic beverages, and enhanced in-flight entertainment.
- United Premium Plus: This is United’s premium economy product, offering more space and increased comfort compared to standard economy. The seats are wider, with extra legroom, adjustable footrests, and headrests. It includes an upgraded dining experience, complimentary alcoholic beverages, and an enhanced amenity kit.
- United Economy: United Economy provides a standard economy class seat, with in-flight amenities such as meals available for purchase on longer flights, and complimentary soft drinks.
- Economy Plus: Economy Plus seats are located in the Economy cabin but offer additional legroom for a more comfortable journey.
- Basic Economy: This is the most budget-friendly option. It offers the same service and amenities as standard Economy but with restrictions on seat selection and changes, full-sized carry-on bags, and boarding orders.
Is United Airlines economy comfortable?
Comfort in United Airlines’ Economy class can depend on various factors such as personal comfort standards, the specific aircraft, and the flight duration. Generally, United provides a standard level of comfort in its Economy class, akin to other major airlines.
Seats offer adjustable headrests and some recline. On longer flights, a complimentary blanket and pillow are provided. Legroom in Economy usually ranges between 31 to 32 inches, which is the industry standard. However, if you prefer more space, you might consider upgrading to Economy Plus, which provides up to 5 extra inches of legroom.
How to get an extra legroom seat on United Airlines plane?
Securing an extra legroom seat on a United Airlines plane requires some planning and flexibility, but you can easily score one of these seats by familiarizing yourself with the cabin layout and checking in for your flight early. You may also consider paying for an upgrade to a seat with ample legroom and enhanced comfort.
As the location of the extra legroom seats varies depending on the aircraft, we recommend visiting the SeatGuru website. By simply entering your United flight number, you can access a detailed seat map specific to your flight. Hover over individual seats to identify those with ample legroom. They are often found in exit rows, bulkhead rows (the first row in each cabin section), or other designated areas that offer additional legroom.
Due to their desirable features, the preferred seats are in high demand. They are often limited in number and typically incur additional fees. Seats with extra legroom located in front and exit rows ("hot seats") are priced higher. However, for medium– and long–haul flights, the additional cost of $10-$50 may be worth the increased comfort. Hot seats typically provide at least 36 inches of legroom (4-6 inches more than standard economy seats), wider seat pitch, and may also have adjustable footrests and recline further back.
Paying for an extra legroom seat is usually a more affordable option than upgrading to a Premium Economy.
What is the baggage allowance?
United Airlines provides baggage options for its passengers. The specific allowances depend on the class of service and fare type:
- United Polaris: 2 pieces of checked luggage, up to 70 lbs (32 kg) each.
- Premium Transcontinental Service: 2 pieces of checked luggage, up to 50 lbs (23 kg) each.
- United Premium Plus: 2 pieces of checked luggage, up to 50 lbs (23 kg) each.
- United Economy: 1 piece of checked luggage, up to 50 lbs (23 kg). Charges may apply.
- Economy Plus: Same as the standard Economy class.
- Basic Economy: Basic Economy within the U.S., and between the U.S. and Central America or the Caribbean, does not include free checked baggage, and charges will apply for checked bags. For transatlantic Basic Economy, 1 piece of checked luggage up to 50 lbs (23 kg) is allowed for a fee.
In addition to checked baggage, each passenger, irrespective of the class of service, is allowed 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item (like a shoulder bag, purse, laptop bag or other small item) that fits under the seat in front of you.
Does United Airlines have Wi-Fi?
Yes, United Airlines offers Wi-Fi on most of its aircraft, and the speeds are generally good.
The Wi-Fi is provided by Gogo, and it is available in two tiers: Gogo Basic and Gogo Plus. Gogo Basic is free, but it is limited to email and messaging. Gogo Plus is a paid service that offers faster speeds and access to more websites and apps.
The price of Gogo Plus varies depending on the length of the flight. For flights under 2 hours, Gogo Plus costs $12.95. For flights between 2 and 6 hours, Gogo Plus costs $19.95. For flights over 6 hours, Gogo Plus costs $29.95. You can pay for Gogo Plus using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal. You can also pay for Gogo Plus using miles from your United MileagePlus account.
Does United Airlines have refundable tickets?
United Airlines offers refundable tickets in all cabin classes, but the terms and conditions of the refundability vary depending on the class of service.
A 24-hour cancellation policy allows passengers to cancel their flights within 24 hours of booking without incurring any cancellation fees.
- Basic Economy tickets are not refundable. However, if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking, you will receive a travel credit that can be used for future travel.
- Premium Economy tickets are nonrefundable, except for a flight cancellation, a change to a different flight, or an oversold flight.
- Business Class tickets are fundable. You can modify your ticket for free; however, there is a fee if you want to cancel it.
- First Class tickets are refundable. However, there may be a fee depending on the fare type and the time of cancellation.
How do I obtain my United Airlines boarding pass?
United Airlines boarding pass is a travel document that contains crucial information about your flight, confirms your seat and allows you to board the plane. It includes the passenger’s name, flight number, boarding time, boarding zone, gate number, seat number, and other essential flight details. The United Airlines boarding pass can be in paper or electronic format. The boarding pass is issued during check-in — online on the airline's website (usually available 24 hours before the flight), its mobile app (mobile boarding pass) or at the airport. You can print your boarding pass at home or use a mobile app to store the digital boarding pass on your smartphone. Alternatively, you can check in at the airport, where the airline's representative will issue the boarding pass for you.
How to check United flight status?
If you have the flight number at hand, you can conveniently check the United flight status on the airline’s website. Visit the flight status page to get the reliable information regarding the scheduled and actual departure and arrival times.
There are several online platforms where you can check the status of United Airlines flight: FlightRadar24, FlightStats, or FlightAware. They offer comprehensive information about any flight (regardless of the airline) – including real-time flight tracking.
Alternatively, input your flight number directly into Google's search bar. Drawing data from diverse sources (including the airlines themselves), Google will provide you with all the crucial flight information right on the search results page.
United Airlines shortcuts
Essential links to United Airlines official website.
United Airlines flight booking
Search United Airlines flights and book your Basic Economy, Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First class ticket online.
Online check-in
How to check-in and receive your United Airlines boarding pass?
United Airlines baggage policy
Learn about checked and hand luggage regulations on United Airlines flights.
Flexible tickets
Want to change your flight? United Airlines flexible booking offer and policies.
Refunds and cancellations
Guidelines on returning a United Airlines ticket and getting your money back.
United Airlines help & support
Get in touch with the airline: customer service numbers, call centers, offices, and more.
Why are United Airlines flights so expensive in 2023?
Airfares soared in 2023. United Airlines flights are more expensive now due to rising demand, limited supply, inflation, fuel prices, closed airspace, and increased operational costs.
One key factor within your control is the timing of your booking. To save money on travel, it’s wise to plan ahead – the best time to book international flights with United is between 2 to 8 months before your departure date.
The primary elements that impact the cost of flights:
- Rising demand With more people traveling in the post-pandemic era, airlines have no incentive to lower prices. Instead, they capitalize on spiked demand and raise prices to make up for lost revenue during the period of 2020-2022.
- Limited supply In 2023 United Airlines is still operating at reduced capacity after the pandemic. Staffing shortages of pilots, plane crew, and airport workers lead to flight cancellations and delays, affecting the supply even more. With fewer flights, the American carrier charges more for the plane tickets that are available.
- Inflation Inflation has a significant impact on flight prices, as it directly increases the cost of fuel and labor for airlines. This can be particularly true for United Airlines that operates in countries with high inflation rates.
- Jet fuel costs Fuel is a significant airline cost, influenced by crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions. To cope with rising fuel prices, the airline may pass it on to travelers in the form of a fuel surcharge added to the ticket price.
- Closed airspace Avoiding airspace due to war, political conflicts, extreme weather, or natural disasters make airline tickets more expensive. United Airlines may be forced to take longer routes to reach the destination airport – which means higher fuel and labor costs.
- United operating costs The costs of labor, aircraft maintenance, aircraft leasing or purchasing expenses, marketing, etc. significantly increased in 2023. As United Airlines aims to remain profitable, it must factor in these operating costs when setting ticket prices.
- Will flight prices go down in 2023?Historical trends suggest that airfare prices will fluctuate based on the factors described above. As long as the demand for travel is up, so is airfare. After tough years the United Airlines is in no position to offer discounts for passengers and will likely try to maximize profits in 2023.
United Airlines price history charts
and price-drop alerts
Understanding past airfare trends for your chosen United flight route can help you forecast future prices and identify ideal booking times.
Google Flights is one of the best tools that provide access to price history — it tracks airfare fluctuations, predicts price changes based on historical data, and helps to pinpoint optimal booking times. In addition to viewing price history charts, you can set up price alerts for United flights via email — and catch price drops as they happen.
While the tracking tools provide valuable insights on United price history, they cannot guarantee future prices. They are also usually restricted to one particular route. For regular updates on price drops and deals across various popular destinations (holiday ideas!), consider Air Traveler Club — it’s free to join.
United Airlines tips
How to ensure smooth transit between United Airlines connecting flights
Before your trip, research your connecting airport. Familiarize yourself with its layout, terminals, amenities, and the location of your connecting gate. This will save you time and stress during your layover. Every airport has a minimum connection time — make sure your layover is longer than this minimum time.
Additionally:
- You may need to move between terminals if you have a connecting flight with a different airline or separate point-to-point tickets with United Airlines. Each flight may require individual check-in procedures and an additional pass through security. As your luggage may not be automatically transferred to your final destination, you’ll need to retrieve your bags and check them in again for your subsequent flight.
- When flights are booked on separate tickets, United Airlines is not responsible if you miss your connection due to a delay with the first flight. Allow plenty of buffer time between flights to account for any potential delays.
- Gate assignments can change. Regularly check the flight information boards to ensure you’re in the right place.
- If your airport connection is tight (1-hour layover or less), pick a set near the front of the plane. It can shave 5–10 minutes off your deplaning time, especially on larger planes. Consider purchasing “hot seats” if available on your plane — they cost extra, but it may be worth it.
- When flying domestically, try not to book the last flight out of your connecting airport. In case of a cancellation, the airline will put you on its next flight, but it will require an overnight stay and arrival a day later.
- Flights can be delayed or canceled. Have a backup plan in case you miss your connecting flight. Know your rights and the United policy on missed connections.
Booking group flights with United Airlines
Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights with United Airlines can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.
To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the group size and travel dates and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.
United Airlines website typically limits automatic group bookings to 9 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline directly.
A travel agent may be better if you want more personalized service. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates for United Airlines and can help with logistics and scheduling.