United offers discounts to younger travelers, and the deal just got better

The post is updated with new information and offers on a regular basis.

For the past 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.

I have used this discount to save thousands of dollars on United flights. This discount can be used by people who aren't frequent United travelers.

The discounts can be higher on certain routes and dates. On close-in bookings, this is the case. In some cases, the discounts are more than 60 percent. The discounted fares are valid on any route that starts in the U.S. and ends in North America.

A flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) costs $246 but with the young traveler discount, the flight is just $92.50.

We will look at the ins and outs of the United Airlines young traveler discount today.

How to book this discount on United flights

According to United, you can find and book fares with this discount.

This is the first thing. The United app can be downloaded or opened. You must log into your account. If you don't have a one, you can sign up for a free one. The navigation bar has a book selection on it. There are four. You can select "discounted travel" The discount will show up when you search for flights.

You will be taken to a new screen where you can look for flights. You can't book a flight for more than one person.

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Eligible flights will get the discount. If you can see the word "discounted" in green text below the flight price, you will know that you are looking at a discounted flight.

About United's age discount

There are a number of important terms to know about the 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 discount on flights from the US to North America. The published economy class fares are eligible.

United has different discounts on international flights from the U.S. Unless otherwise stated, all fares are standard economy on United.

• 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.

There is a way to get maximum value from the United Mileage Plus program.

Sweet spots to maximize your United discount

Last-minute flights have more steep discounts. The same flight from San Francisco to Seattle that leaves four days later only has a 5% discount.

The origin and destination of a flight can show a bigger discount than a hub-to- hub flight. For example, flights between Newark and Chicago O'Hare tend to be less discounted than flights between non- hub cities.

There is a 7% discount on flights between EWR and ORD five days in advance.

Bottom line

If you have a last-minute travel need, this United discounted fare is a great way to save on your next trip. Travelers up to age 23 can take advantage of these discounts.

You can find the best discount by searching for yourself. It will be worth it if you find a deal once you find the best price.

The additional reporting was done by Kyle.