what is united trip pass

5 Reasons to Purchase a United Club One-Time Pass

With clubs in 38 airports around the world (and multiple clubs in several hub airports) there is a good chance you will come across one of these lounges in your travel with United. If you have more than a couple hours on your hands, even the United lounges become a very attractive alternative to sitting in the gate area or at an overpriced concourse eatery.

I personally like United Clubs and submit that it is shortsighted to dismiss them as lacking in value, as many seem to do. Here’s where I place the highest value–

1. Help During Irr/Ops

When something goes wrong, I will generally pick up the phone first, but airport agents are often empowered to do more (like switch you to another airline if the situation warrants) and the single greatest thing about United Club access is the availability of agents to help with your same-day travel needs. It sure beats waiting in a line 100 people deep outside the club, which is not out of the ordinary at a hub when the weather is poor.

2. Internet + Power

Thankfully, more major airports are offering free wi-fi, but many still do not and since United abandoned T-Mobile I have found the internet in United Clubs to be consistently fast and reliable. That keeps me productive and power-ports allow me to re-charge after a long flight with no in-seat power.

3. Snacks + Drinks

I generally do not have to rush between flights, but I do try to squeeze in as much work between flight as possible considering most of work is internet-based and United still does not have wi-fi on the majority of its fleet. That means I do not want to take 20 minutes out of my 80 minute layover to wait in line for food. Instead, I set up shop in my favorite nook and cranny of each club (yes, I have my own “cubby” at SFO, LAX, DEN, IAH, EWR, and IAD) then grab some snacks to tide my hunger to the next flight.

United Clubs offer a pretty decent breakfast spread–bagels, pastries, cereal, yogurt, and whole fruit. When I have early morning flights–like I will tomorrow–it is nice to eat a little something while I am working.

Beer, wine, and certain lower-shelf liquor is also free, with better alcohol available for purchase. United trialed a food for purchase program in many of its lounges, but scrapped it.

4. Bathrooms + Showers

It is always nice to have a clean bathroom available without having to wait for a stall and that has always been the case for me in United Clubs. Plus, showers facilities are available at several clubs , allowing for a shower and shave before a meeting or after a redeye flight.

>> Read More:  Showers at Newark United Club

You do get children in the club sometimes, but generally they are the well-behaved ones. I have always found United Clubs to be tranquil and a few of them (Chicago C, LAX 7, and SFO domestic) have quiet rooms.

*     *     *

Coming from Europe last week, I again marvelled at what a tremendous job Lufthansa does with its Senator and Business lounges and wished for something similar here in the States. But America is not Europe, the lounge concept is different, and if we evaluate the benefits of lounge access versus not having it, I simply cannot imagine forgoing lounges–it has become an ingrained part of my travel routine.

United Club one-time passes are up to $50–they were $39 for awhile if purchased online–but that is still a reasonable exchange if you have some time to actually use the lounge. You can save $5 by purchasing the pass on United’s mobile application.

Finally, keep in mind that you can apply the $50 one-time pass fee toward the purchase of an annual membership should you decide within 30 days of your visit that you wish to join the club.

The beauty of one-time passes is that you do not have to buy them advance. Say you run into an unexpectedly long layover or a flight cancellation. Use the United mobile app, united.com, or just step into a club to obtain a day pass and avoid a headache. Once you do it, you will never look back.

Here’s another picture of the recently remodeled United Club in Chicago:

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About author.

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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215 comments.

I believe the day passes are still $45 from the United mobile app.

Nope the passes are 59.00 from mobile app

Anybody have any experience in buying them on ebay ?

I sell my extra ones on there (and will have a few soon). I usually get $20-$25. It’s just people with too many Chase and Chase business ones who ended up flying American or some other airline and simply couldn’t use them.

How can I get the extras from you?

Just use eBay.

Got mine on ebay!! Im looking for one more, thank you guys!

So not worth it. Only three UCs in the entire country have showers – IAH, ORD, and EWR. Many are run down and crowded. Internet is often hopessly slow (last time I was in SFO it was basically nonfunctional). Snacks are limited and generally unappealing (packaged cheese and crackers, etc.). I’ll take access for free when I’m on ps or an international itinerary, but would never pay for it.

I agree with @Matthew. I’m not sure what the problem is with @AceK, but I have to stopover SFO quite often and use the SFO airport lounge frequently. Yes, it can get crowded at times, but I never have problems with anything else. Wi-fi works all the time. And when you have to layover for over 10 hours, airport lounge is a lifesaver.

@AceK: I really disagree, though if your only concern is the showers then you are right. I’m surprised you mention internet at SFO. I was just there last week, fly through quite often, and have not had a problem with internet speeds since the lounge changed from T-Mobile to “UnitedClub” with no password.

For all the combined benefits, I maintain that day passes are worthwhile in many circumstances.

I regularly purchase the chase card one visit coupons on ebay at $12-15 a piece as irrops insurance. $50 I would not give 🙂

I have a quick question can someone else can use my two passes you get for using united explorer credit card from chase? can you give it to someone else??

The free passes from the MileagePlus card that you get annually are not tied to your card. You can give it away or sell it easily.

Do you have any extra club day passes?

@Fred: Yes, they are transferable and your name is not on them.

Do i have to be flying on an united flight? Or star alliance is fine? Becuz i got a few from a frd.

@mabs: No, you don’t have to be flying on United or Star Alliance–they shouldn’t even check your Boarding Pass if you just present the pass.

What if my airline flies out of a different terminal at LAX? Can I clear security in United terminal #7 and then get out later to check in for my american airlines flight in terminal 4?

You can. All are connected on the secure side via tunnels.

Do I need a United Boarding pass to use the lounge? I have a one day pass, but am traveling on another airline.

@Val: No United boarding pass necessary.

My husband and I both have one-time passes but will be traveling with our 7 & 9 year old children. Will they need a pass as well?

@Kara–they will need passes as well. Some clients have told me that UA will refuse entrance when using the pass because of the so-called (and rarely enforced) age restriction. Just put your foot down if they give you a problem.

Our family will be travelling via Europe, and we have a few free United club one-time passes owing to our credit cards. Can we use them at the Swiss business lounge at Zurich airport ? It does say that they accept United club paid members.

Hi Harry, the passes are not good at the Swiss lounge in Zurich. Though the club accepts paid United members, the one-time passes are valid only at physical United Club location. Outside the USA, that includes only Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.

I booked thru United and they booked my return with US Air. Will a 1 day United pass work in the US Air Club in Charlotte? Thanks Anne

Hi Anne, Unfortuantely the club pass will not work in Charlotte–it may only be used in United Clubs–

http://www.united.com/web/en-us/content/travel/airport/lounge/locations/default.aspx

will the passes work at the Copa Club lounge in Panama City?

@Robert, Likely not, but it would not hurt to try to use them in Panama City.

Hi there, I have two one-time United Club passes that expire on Nov. 30th this year and I will not be able to use them. Send me an email if you are interested, and I will mail them to you for free. 🙂

Brittany – I am interested in your passes if you still have them!! Please let me know 🙂

Can I buy two passes at two separate occasions? Or is it just a one time thing.

Can a 17 year old enter by himself? I have a 9 hour layover in SFO

@Joel: How old do you look? The rule is 18, but they don’t card you if you just present your boarding pass and card (unless you look real young, I would imagine).

You can buy passes for separate occasions. I recommend you check out eBay for passes, especially if you have 9hrs to spare. They are going for as little as $10.

I am flying through MSP with southwest, the united club lounge is in a different terminal, can I use the one time pass to get in??

@tzviki: Yes, if the TSA will let you past.

@tzviki- You have to take the train to the Lindbergh terminal, then clear security to get to the United CLub, then reverse the process for your onward Southwest flight. Unless you have a really long layover, it is likely not worthwhile. As Matthew said, that is if TSA would let you through without a ticket for that terminal, only to visit the club.

Hi there. I just want to mention that you can use the UA Club Passes at the Copa Clubs located in Guatemala City, Panama City and Santo Domingo in Republica Dominicana since they are partnered with UA Clubs.

@ Kara and Matthew we tried to use our 2 one time passes in Newark airport while traveling with our 8 yr old twins and they denied them access. Putting our foot down did nothing. In fact, I called United the night before and we were told the children could accompany us, and then were flat out denied at Newark airport. I don’t know why they would issue passes to parents and not allow them to bring children. To us, the one time passes are useless.

What is the documents I need to show al checking in the airport with a united club pass that I got from ebay

what is the age restriction? I am flying with 4 kids and my wife. are they allowed in the lounge?

How firm are they on the expiration date? They are bar coded on the back, so I assume the date is non negotiable, but I wonder, if someone shows up with passes that just expired a few days before, would the United Club let them in?

With some companies, I’d assume some goodwill, but at United everyone seems to be just a cog in the wheel these days.

Some of the questions here are unreal. ‘Can I use it at the US Air Club?’ And people, did you ever think to keep the whole ‘buying them from other sources’ thing on the QT? To keep the prices down? Shaking my head

Can I use my one day pass at the star alliance lounge at LAX the international terminal does not have a United Club Lounge. I will be flying on Thai Airways. On the star alliance lounge site it says that paid club memberships such as United’s are eligible.

http://www.staralliance.com/en/benefits/status-benefits/lounges/star-alliance-lounge-los-angeles/

@Jared: the pass is not available for use at the LAX Star Alliance lounge. However, as you note a paid UC membership would allow access.

Can I use my United Pass in star alliance lounge like Asiana in Incheon, South Korea?

@AGA: No, only United and COPA lounges.

Hi, What are the food and beverages that are available for free in the EWR United club if I enter using a one time pass? What are other benefits apart from shower, power/internet and help with change in reservations that are mentioned above in the thread?

@John: In the mornings there are bagels, cold cereal, yogurt, and donuts. From late morning onwards there are crackers and cheese, celery and carrots, cookies, and snack mix. There is also a full-service bar.

Matthew, quick question – do you know if there are in and out privileges at the EWR United Club location? We have a 10hr layover and while snacks might cut it for a bit, we’ll be needing some real nosh by midday.

Thanks mate!

I also have a one time pass courtesy of my United Credit Card. It appears that they have a United Lounge at Heathrow Airport in London. Will my one time pass work there?

@Rob: There are in/out privs and you just have to let the lounge matrons know on your way out that you will be back. It should be in the system as well if they scan your BP, but I don’t have a lot of confidence in SHARES.

@Courtney: Yes indeed, and that is a great use of the lounge pass as the London Heathrow United Club is UA’s best in the world.

We are traveling United from Newark next week, 4 adults and 4 kids. Kids ages are 15, 10, 6 and 2. I have 6 of one time passes from our business partners. Do you think they will get us in?

@TGR: Unfortunately, no. I think you’ll get six in only. But it never hurts to try.

Note, it is not worth paying the rate at the door. Check eBay for two more as a back-up.

Flying into Osaka on Asiana Airline — can we used our Chase One-time United Club pass in the Osaka, Japan (KIX) Asuka Lounge in partnership with United?

@Jean: Unfortunately, the pass will not be valid in Osaka. Only at United Airlines’ own “United Clubs” or at COPA Clubs in Central America.

Can we use our United Club one-time pass at the Star Alliance Club in the Lima airport? Also, if so, is it open 24 hours?

@Sandi: While the lounge is 24-hours in Lima, the United Club one-time-pass is not accepted.

Hi, if I have a connection in Chicago from Boston to Shanghai, do I have to use two passes just for one way trip? Thanks.

Leaving Ft. Lauderdale in April 2015 on JetBlue – can I buy and use a one day pass from United?

Flying TAP 11/7 out of Terminal B EWR; booked using UA miles (CODESHARE is TAP flying TAP metal) 1) where can I use United Club passes at Terminal B in EWR?

As there are no United Clubs in Terminal B, you are unable to use your United Club pass before the flight unless you first go to Terminal A or C, which is not worthwhile unless you have several hours because then you must clear security twice.

Do we understand it right: You pay $50 for This United Club One Time Pass for some snacks and beverages (& showers) and you can only Use it ONE TIME ? Meaning, we fly few times a year, there’s these passes on ebay that are good til june 2016… But once you used it it will not work anymore ? Are they keeping it when you enter ? Or do they Scan it ? Sorry for being so ignorant…

Yes, you only use it once and it is collected when you enter the club.

I don’t fly United but bought my daughter a first class ticket and she could not go into the lounge before her flight. Unfortunate that even top paying flyers can’t enter the lounge for a cup of coffee! I’ll put my money at Delta or any other airline the next time. Sad but reading about the lounge it sounds generic…Any Priority Pass Lounge will be fine.

does anyone have any united club passes they would like to either donate or sell to me? I want to take my nieces (21 and 23 years of age) on a trip and thought it would be super special to have these passes on hand in case we have an unexpected layover or long wait at the airport. I would be so grateful.

Is the one day pass good for 24 hrs or just one time use. I have 2 united club opportunities available in the same day during my trip.

When purchasing a one time pass does that give you access for connecting flights? Or is it really just a pass to use for one leg of your flight? I.e. Ottawa to Chicago, then Chicago to LAX,LAX to Hawaii… want to know if we can use the pass for the whole leg of the trip. Thanks!

Hi Sasha, it is valid only for one leg, so in your case you could use it in ORD or LAX or HNL, but not more than one per pass. Depends on how long your layover is–I consider the Chicago and LA lounges to be equally (mediocre) so I would use it at the point in which you have the longest layover. If you layover is less than 90 minutes in both places, I would not bother to use it unless you can cheaply obtain them on eBay or from friends.

Hi Matthew – nice website here and very timely for me. I’ll be using ANA from LAX to Tokyo in May and wanted to spend time in an airline lounge. Since it is not business class I needed an alternative. How is the lounge in Tokyo (Narita) ? THANKS.

Hi – Since I don’t have any status on ANA for my coach class ticket from LAX – NRT on ANA, can I buy a day pass for UA and use at the Star Alliance lounge at Tom Bradley Terminal ? This is what I read on their site: Eligible Paid Lounge Membership Customers have access to any Star Alliance member carriers’ owned Business Class lounges2. Eligible Paid Lounge Membership Customers include: United Club, Air Canada Maple Leaf Club – Worldwide Customer must present a valid eligible paid lounge membership card which displays the Star Alliance Lounge Logo Customer must also present a boarding pass for travel on a Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport

Thanks for your help/ Bryan

@Bryan: United’s Tokyo lounge is one of their better ones. I would definitely invest in a one-time pass if you will be there more than a couple hours.

Just remember there are no buy in lounges airside in TBIT

I have 2 One time passes and I’m not familiar with… I’m thinking of taking vacation in Guam and if I’m going to use my 2 passes there, do I need to make reservations at the United Guam’s lounge…? And is there any charge fee…

We are flying Air New Zealand out of LAX and have 8 hours to kill before our ANZ flight departs. Since ANZ is a Star Alliance partner are we able to use our 2 United Club one-time use passes to enter the lounge in the international terminal? The passes are from the Chase United Mileage Plus card.

Does anyone know how early we can enter the int’l terminal before our flight?

@Maui: You can use your passes at the United Club in Guam. No need to make any reservation — just show up with your coupons.

@Penelope: ANZ departs out of Terminal 2 at LAX and United uses Terminals 7 and 8. You can access Terminal 7 with your Air New Zealand Boarding pass then use your club passes for the United club, but just allow yourself time to get back to T2 (either by bus or crossing through parking structures).

I have a few united One-Time passes. Are these good outside the U.S. (e.g. Japan) or are they only good within the U.S.? I’m pretty sure they can be used at any club as long as it’s a United Lounge but thought I would ask to be certain. Thank you in advance.

Brent, they can be used at any United Club worldwide, including Tokyo NRT!

Matthew, thanks for your response. Do you happen to know if I could gain access into either the ANA lounge or the United lounge at Narita without the use of a one-time pass? I would be flying Business Class on ANA Nippon Airlines for my arrival into Narita and will fly United Airlines in Business Class for my departure. From previous experience flying in Business, I’ve learned that some lounges allow free access with this type of boarding pass, but uncertain in a case like this. Thanks again in advance!

@Brent: If you are traveling in business class, you will have access to both the United Club and ANA lounge. No pass needed. Enjoy!

I’ll be traveling through the U.S. to Canada and flying with United. I have a 12 hr overnight lay over in Newark and was wondering if the lounge would be accessible overnight, or does it close its doors at 10:30pm. Also, would someone I’m traveling with be able to purchase a one time lounge pass even though they are not a mileageplus member? If so, is it still $50 USD?

@Ben: The lounge does close and boot everyone out at 10:30p. Anyone can buy a one-time pass. Check eBay — they go for as little as $6 each.

Hey Matthew, thanks afor your earlier reply.

Are there any lounges at Incheon where I can use the United one-time pass? I’m in transit on Korean coach. Thanks.

@Victor: No lounges unfortunately. In Asia, your only two locations with UA lounges are NRT and HKG.

So i am traveling from Buenos Aires to Sao Paulo to Johannesburgh i have an extremely long layover in Sao Paulo, but i have two united club day passes for being united chase credit card holder. Is it possible for me to use the passes at the Star alliance lounge in terminal 3? Thanks!

Unfortunately not. United used to have a decent lounge in GRU, but with its closure and the opening of the great new Star Alliance lounge, the passes are not valid. Same problem at EZE — the Star Lounge has replaced the United-branded lounge.

I’ll be using 4 passes (for 3 adults and 1 child) that I bought on eBay. My questions: 1. My son is 9 year old. Will he be denied entry just because he is a minor even if I am using a pass for him? 2. I have 15 hour layover at HKG. I plan to use the passes to enter the lounge at 7am, freshen up and leave by 9am for Hong Kong tour. My flight is at 9pm. Can I use the lounge again at 6pm after I return from the tour since it is a “day” pass?

Thanks for the info Matt.

Hi Ranger, I don’t think your son will be denied entry — not if you are with him. Your problem may be in that these are one-time use passes, rather than day passes. Technically, you will not be allowed back in after you leave.

I’d handle it this way — if the lounge ladies are nice, you can ask them. If they seem gruff, don’t even ask but instead leave your carry-on luggage in the left-luggage area when you go out for your tour and then when you return you say, “We stepped out for a bit but are back” and present your boarding passes. If you are questioned, tell them your luggage is in the lounge.

There is some risk to leaving it, but I think it is safe enough.

Thanks Matthew for answering my questions.

Seeking recent advice opinions on United Club passes and the clubs in Houston and Denver. I have United Club passes. Am traveling first class from Houston International to Denver International (and vice-versa.) Will be traveling in a wheelchair with my daughter as my companion. She is an adult. Am I understanding correctly that there are restrooms, as well as, free beer and wine in the clubs? Just need my boarding pass from initial check in and my club pass card, right? Have to arrive two hours early, as I can’t walk through the scanner; so, I have to arrive extra early for the “prison pat down.” Would rather kill time with some free wine then wait for almost two hours at the gate or be crammed into an overpriced bar near the gate. I do not have to check in at the gate first, do I? All info and input welcome! THANK YOU!!!!

I am glad you have those passes. No need to check in at the gate as long as you have your boarding pass. Just proceed directly to the club then leave about 40 minutes prior to your departure time so you can board your plane first.

The Houston Club is better than the Denver Club, but both have free restrooms, complimentary beer and wine, and light snacks.

Hi! My boyfriend booked, paid and used his mileage to purchase my flight (iah-much). He is premier 1k. He says I can use the lounge…is this true?

If you are booked in economy class, you will not have lounge access without a pass. If traveling in business, then you will have access.

We are flying To ORD and have a 2 hour layover before we fly to Alaska, at lunch time, we were thinking of having a big lunch (no folks this isn’t like the Big Salad Seinfeld episode-;-)) at that point, should we bother trying to buy the one time passes in eBay?

I would not bother to get the passes. United has a bigger food spread now in the ORD lounges, but I would spent the money at Tortas Frontera instead.

If I buy a United pass on ebay and get it delivered electronically (rather than the actual printed pass), who do I use it to get into the lounge? thank you

@Andrew — that should be no problem, just print it or have it on your phone so the lounge matrons can scan it as you enter.

I have a quick question, I have two passes you get for using united explorer credit card from chase, do these passes also provide complmentary access for my children under 18?

@Omar: They do not, only one per person.

Is there a United lounge in Munich?

Hallo Kathi,

No lounge in MUC.

I will be traveling from ewr to hnl and back very soon. I am thinking of purchasing two passes to use with my wife on one of our legs of the journey.

Has anyone been to the HNL united club recently?

Also, is it true if our flight gets cancelled or a huge delay I can go over to the club, instead of waiting on line at the gate, to get assistance with rebooking or new flights? I’m thinking getting the passes for this alone might be worth it since these flights ua 14 and 15 have been hit by some big issues recently and a they are the only direct flights each day so if one goes out that’s several hundred folks that need to have new arrangements made. Is that true?

@Scott — I do recommend purchasing the passes. The HNL Club is very outdated in its decor, but I like it. Great tarmac views and Mai Tais at the bar. As you note, the most important benefit is the ability to get assistance with rebooking or new flights in case of delay.

Thanks. Apologies since I’ve never accessed a club before, but in the event of a big issue with the flight I can just head over to the club to get assistance and not stand in what I assume would be a huge line at the gate?

I figure with a late 830 pm flight it might be nice to have the club to wait in rather then with the crowd at the gate at the end of the trip before heading back to ewr.

Yes, no problem heading back to club in case of delay/cancellation. Club is open till at least 10:30p.

If I have purchsed a one-time access card from ebay? can I use it any United club lounges? or should the name of the lounge be specified in it??

Hi Mathew, This is my first time flying in an air plane. I Will be arriving at Chicago O’Hare at 4.30pm and my next connecting flight is at 5.30am. So I have decided to spend the time at the United club lounge. It is said that the lounge closes at 10.00pm. Thus, I’m concerned whether i will be allowed to stay in the lounge even after the closing time??? Thank you!!! 🙂

@Brave: You can use any United Club with your pass. Just be sure to use it before the expiration date!

@Harish: Unfortunately, the lounge closes at 10pm and you will be kicked out. I would check with the United folks in the lounge to see about standing by for an earlier flight to your destination. If you are on an award ticket, there is no charge to move to an earlier flight. Even if not, the $75 may well be worth it to avoid paying for a hotel or sleeping on those uncomfortable blue benches in the O’Hare gate areas.

Matthew: I have two one time passes but one of them expired. I didn’t use it because there was typhoon and my flight cancelled. So what is the chance that I still can use the expired pass with my family at the Narita UA club for the oncoming travel? Thanks

It seems that the United Club passes no longer work at Copa Clubs. I was denied in MDE and PTY last month. One agent told me that they had just ended their relationship the previous month.

@C: Unlikely they will work, but it won’t hurt to try. If you are set on visiting lounge, get more passes on eBay

@Jason: Thanks for the data point.

How does the “e-delivery” option work If I have purchased a one-time access card from ebay?

@Scott — you will be e-mailed the pass from the seller.

what do you tell the agent at the door then?

@Don: Just tell them that a friend gave it to you.

i am travelling to the Philippines but with a 13 hours layover in Hongkong airport. I purchased my ticket from UA. If i buy the one time pass, can i stay in the United club lounge for more than 10 hours? i don’t know there is a time limit.

@Percy: You can remain in the lounge for as long as you want, as long as you do not leave. This was a wise acquisition, as many consider United’s Hong Kong lounge to be the best United lounge in the system.

I am flying Delta airline from pvg to lax to msp, have a long layover at LAX, which I plan to spend the time at united club. I think Delta international is at terminal 5. What’s the best way to get to and from the United club at terminal 7? My flight from lax to msp is also with Delta, so after spend time at united ckub, I need to catch my Delta domestic flight. I am not familiar with LAX, and I haven’t fly much. Thank you very much for your help!

@Jane — You are correct that Delta is in Terminal 5 and United is in Terminal 7 — the terminals are connected on the secure side (past security) by underground tunnels. It’s quite a trek, but the nice thing is you can go back and forth without have to re-clear security.

just looking at this site.

matthew, do you do anything else but answer questions? do you work for united?

you rock dude!

@SP: Thankfully, I am self-employed! 🙂

Hi! Thanks for these great answers. So we have a layover in ORD coming back from Berlin. we are NOT flying united (flying one world carriers) but do have club passes. Can we get in without United boarding passes?

@Kat — no problem. The AA and UA terminals are connected on the secure side (past security) so there is no problem walking over the the United Clubs — there are two in the B Concourse that will be closest to the AA gates.

question – does the club pass allow priority boarding ? What benefits does it come w vs not purchasing one?

JAMIE, the club pass is not related to boarding. It will not give give you priority boarding, only lounge access.

The United Club Lounge at Heathrow was nothing short of amazing!

Great food, drink … and the free showers were just what we needed. Extra bonus that the lounge happened to be right across from our gate.

Thank you UPgrd for your wonderful service … which let us use the United Lounge as part of the business class tickets you got for us.

I have a code share ticket out of LAX to Tahiti from Air New Zealand. Can I use a United one day pass at the lounge in the “International terminal? I know that United is in Terminal 7, is it connected to the International terminal in a way that I don’t have to clear security again? Thanks

@Gary — you can only use the pass in one of UA’s two Terminal 7 lounges. Unfortunately, the pass will not be accepted in the Star Alliance lounge in the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

HI Matthew Thanks. Are the 2 UA lounges located behind the “security” are and would I have to do the security thing again? Thanks:

Both lounges are behind security and you would have to clear security twice. Eventually, all terminal will be connected beyond security at LAX, but I see that goal as many years from completion.

Do they have a united club in Miami ?

We are flying into LAX tomorrow in and out on Delta. Is the United Lounge located near Delta. We have a 3 hour lay over? Thanks

Yes, you can reach the United Club (in Terminal 7) by taking the underground tunnels from T5 to T6 then from T6 to T7. It is a good 15-20 minute walk, but you’ll still have time for the lounge.

Been to LGA and SEA in last month. Compared to LGA, SEA is like a Walmart food court. Very limited snacks (no real food to speak of)….no bottle water, no cans/bottles of sodas or juices. Some cheese and crackers dumped into a tray. Reception is cold and impersonal. Did not have a cell phone charger to loan out. They were cleaning the carpets on one visit so no way you could actually work. Won’t waste the long walk to the SEA lounge again.

I saw some United passes for sale on eBay that they would email you? Are these passes valid if they are emailed to you? EBay seller is saying you can print them out and use them this way. I would really like to have a United club pass for my travels this Sunday, but was concerned if this is legit.

@Jean: Yes, this is legit. I would buy the pass.

Can I enter the United Club at EWR after 12 am? And am I able to sleep there?

There are no United Clubs that are open for 24-hours.

I bought a 30 day United club pass last year for $50 and it admitted my wife and me. Is that still available?

Fred, AFAIK passes only admit one person.

Is there a United Club at the las vegas airport? Do you know where it is located?

After reading your recommendations, I purchased a one-time pass on ebay for $15. Obviously, this is a tremendous savings on the normal $50 fee, but I’m curious what the typical Pass sells for on ebay? Did i pay too much?

@Eileen: There is a club in Las Vegas Airport:

https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/lounge/locations/default.aspx “Concourse D, between Gates 33 and 35. Use elevator to access third floor.”

@Vern: I think $15 is fair. My price range is $10-15, though I would not pay any more.

I often buy passes from eBay. They always ask me for my boarding pass and scan it when I enter the club. Is there a max of these chase one time passes you can use in a year?

Hi Matthew! Thanks for all of these informative answers! My family will be flying overnight (economy!) from Houston to London on United and we have 4 one-time passes from United Explorer cards. My goal is for us to be able to shower, change clothes and eat breakfast at the Heathrow club before going in to the city. Do you think this will work? Any advice??

I’ve often bought and used United day passes with no problem. From what I’m reading here they will not work in Vancouver in their Maple Leaf Star Alliance Gold lounge – correct?

This will be difficult because you exit the aircraft at LHR on an arrivals level and would have to clear security again in order to reenter the departure area and use the United Club. Access is typically granted without a boarding pass, but once you are there you are sort of stuck — you would have to find a security personnel to escort you downstairs again because there is no official exit.

I’m not saying it won’t work — but just be aware that you may be declined entrance and may find it too much of a hassle to use it at LHR.

Sue, you are correct — the pass will not be valid in the Air Canada-operated Maple Leaf lounge in Vancouver.

HI Matthew, I”m flying from JFK to Heathrow on Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy, arriving in Terminal 3. I have 3 hours to kill at Heathrow as I wait for family to arrive in Terminal 2, on separate flights. I have two united club one time passes that I received through my Chase Mileage Plus/Explorer Visa Card. Can I use the United lounge in Heathrow? or is it only for Business/First passengers? Thank you for the info! alex

Hi Alexandra, you can use the lounge, but it will be a pain to get there. You will have to change terminals, re-clear security, then be escorted to passport control once you are done with the lounge.

I have two one time passes from having an Explorer card, how strict are they with expiration dates?

@John: They are quite strict.

I have One-time pass, can I use it in Paris CDG airport to enter into the Star Alliance & Lounges? or, do you have United Club at this airport?

@David: the pass will not allow access to the Star Lounge at CDG. United used to have a lounge at CDG but closed it.

I’ve never seen them check the expiration date of chase or visa pass. Also I disagree that one day pass for $50 is a good deal. United lounge is just not worth it. They are really bottom tier compared to other airlines.

My flight is at 10:30 and would like to drink a mimosa but first before I use the pass I would like to know what time the bar opens at Concorde A in Newark, does anyone know that?

@Vickie: It opens early when the club does, exactly for that reason.

I travel often out of Tocumen (PTY) airport and have always used my free Chase United Club One-Time Passes there, until last time this year around February, they would not accept them at the Copa Club at that airport. Any idea why? I thought United who merged with Continental is the parent company of Copa Airlines.

Does anyone happen to have any of these passes they arent using upcoming? I am taking my husband on a suprise short trip to San Fran go to a Giants game ( on his bucket list) in June.. I hate to pay the full amount, if its not worth it:(

We’re (3) traveling to Copenhagen through United. SFO to Heathrow (7 hr layover), that is if it’s on time, then flying to Copenhagen ( with SAS). Is it worth buying one day United club pass ( cheap eBay prices) or Heathrow lounge passes for $45? Thanks

@REINA: Yes, totally worth it. You will not regret it because the London Club is the best United club in the entire system.

We are flying from Chicago to Florence on Lufthansa using United miles with a 4 hour layover in Frankfurt. Our daughter and two teenage grandsons purchased tickets for the same flights. We have two passes for a United club that came with our Explorer card. When I called United, I was told we could use them in Frankfurt, and we could also buy passes there for our other family members. Is this true?

You cannot use the pass in Frankfurt and due to club renovations you can only use the pass in Chicago in the F-Concourse United Club.

I’m traveling to San Juan next week from Heathrow via Newark New York and we have a 7hrs layover, we arrive at 1510 is it worth getting a one day pass with United?

@Anita: Newark has been turning away one-day pass holders recently due to overcrowding. I would nto count on access.

Lounge in Heathrow is much, much better.

But with a 7hr layover, I would still try to get in at Newark.

Hi Matthew,

My wife and I will be flying to EWR this fall. We are planning to take Delta from PHX with a layover in ATL. I have 2 united club passes from my Mileage plus explorer card. Can I use them at the United club lounge at ATL during our lay over? I am not sure if the lounge is in the same terminal but it would not hurt to try as we have a 3 hour lay over. Do they care which airlines we are flying by?

@BHAVIK: No problem using the club pass in ATL — as long as you have a same-day boarding pass it does not mater which carrier you flying.

I am looking on Ebay for 1 day passes, what is the difference between the blue and black passes that I see? I will be flying from ORD to BOS in late August, dropping Daughter off at college, both segments are 7ish am flights.

As the flight was signiiccantly cheaper, We ended up booking a Delta flight through DTW and there is no United club lounge at DTW.

Could we use the United club lounge at EWR after we land there? Our hotel check in is at 1 …and we land around 10 am so we will have a few hours to kill.

Hi Matthew, I am a new United Mileage Explorer Chase card holder and I received the 2 free one time passes but there are 3 of us traveling out of EWR in 2 weeks. I called United today to ask if my 2 traveling companions (my adult children) can use my passes that day instead of me and I’ll just sit in the regular waiting area. I was told that only the cardholder plus one companion can be admitted, so only one of them plus myself can go in. I was wondering how strict they would be and if they would most likely not even ask to see the credit card? I can just give my daughter my credit card, but now boarding passes are required and the first name won’t match. I don’t want to have to choose one kid over the other. Do you happen to know if I can use Mileage Plus points to purchase a 3rd pass? Thank you!

You can use points to purchase a third pass, but I would just pay $10-15 on eBay — better to conserve your points for travel and not use them for a third pass.

The one-time United Club passes are now $59, even in the app =(

Have UA clubs passes for wife and I (from our chase cards). Will be flying AA from EWR to SAN. WE will likely have 4 or more hours. We will be business, but I suspect we will need our passes. I think the flight is out of Terminal A. Any UA clubs or one we can use? Thanks

@Randall: There is a Club in Terminal A, but it is currently under construction. When is your trip?

will be there on Sept 27

SEPT 27, 2016

I have 2 One-Time United Club passes I will sell at discount- won’t be traveling anytime soon. 818.378.3998

Question. I have notice that United doesn’t have a specific lounge in Miami. Can you recommend which one to go? ( http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2013/06/05/review-club-america-lounge-miami/ ) ? Thank you, RP

Hi Roman P, The Centurion Lounge (by American Express) is the best lounge in Miami. I would check on that one. It is $50 if you need to buy a pass or free access if you have an American Express card.

If you have a Star Gold card, there is an Avianca lounge you have access to as well.

These are a scam!!!

Every time I’ve gone they tell me the club is full and turn me away……as I’m watching others file in. Marketing fluff!

Heading to Newark tomorrow and have a 5-hour layover. Are the United Clubs in C Terminal still turning away one-day pass holders? I have some that I want to use from being a Chase cardholder. That said, did Newark get their liquor license reinstated?

Linda, Newark is turning away people during peak hours in the club past security. As far as I know, the liquor license has been restored.

Howdy Matthew

I am a United Million Miler Star Alliance Gold. I have no paid or affinity lounge memberships

My official United mailing address is OUTSIDE of the USA.

What are my access privileges traveling in the USA on an economy ticket at United’s lounges?

Unfortunately no access when traveling in the USA on an economy or business ticket in United’s lounge, with the exception of business on p.s. flights between EWR and SFO/LAX. Your card does give you access to other Star Alliance lounges, like the Air Canada Maple Leaf and Star Alliances lounges at LAX, the Turkish and Lufthansa lounges in Washington Dulles, the SWISS and Lufthansa Lounges at JFK, and the SAS and SWISS lounges in Chicago. (there are more, that’s just a few…)

Thanks very much for the info. Be well.

Hi Matthew, I’m curious about your reply to Alan. Do you mean my UAL Million-Miler Premier Gold card gets me access to the SAS and SWISS lounges in O’Hare, even on an economy ticket? That’s great news! Does it get my wife in as well?

Hi Richard,

Correct. Your United Gold card allows access to both the SAS and SWISS lounge even if you are just flying United Economy. That said, it will be tricky getting to that terminal, but very possible. You are allowed one guest as well, so you can bring your wife!

I have a Club pass for my husband and myself. We are traveling with son and daughter in law and would like to know if I can get guest passes for them.? My husband is special needs traveler and I need their assistance.

You can buy additional passes. They are $59 at the door or much cheaper on eBay.

Traveling with 18 yo and 15 yo children through LAX in June. Wondering if it will be an issue for all 4 of us (spouse, me, and kids) to enter United Club lounge with 4 one-day club passes (through my Chase card). Any age restrictions? Have never used the lounges, but have a 4.5 hr layover flying from Kona via LAX to Denver (on United) and this seems like the perfect time to use them. Thanks!

Hi matthew. I am flying from denver to Houston on united with my 15yo (6ft tall) daughter. We are then flying back to Australia on air new Zealand after a five hour layover. I have two one time united passes. Will my daughter get in? Is one united club better than the other (there appears to be four at IAH?) should we just go to the united club at whichever terminal we arrive at?? Obviously we will need to go through security again. Great site for an Aussie with little club experience. Thanks for all the info!!

Good news. You will be able to use the lounge with your 15yr old. Even better, you won’t have to re-clear security since all terminals are inter-connected at IAH. Safe travels!

Sorry I meant lounge passes in frankfurt?

Unfortunately, not possible since United no longer operates its own lounge in Frankfurt.

Hey Matthew, are the United one-time passes 24 hours? If I have a morning flight at 9:30 am from O’Hare, could I spend the night lounging at a United Club? Broke student on a tight budget that needs to visit Chicago to attend a friend’s wedding.

Hazma, unfortunately the club closes before the last flight and does not open until 4:30a. You would not be able to spend the night. Chicago O’Hare does not have any overnight lounges.

my wife and I fly from Heathrow to the US twice a year. Is it possible to purchase passes so we can use the United club just twice a year? An annual membership is not appropriate.

Yes, that would be a great use of passes. The Heathrow United Club is the best United Club in the world.

When I purchased it for a friend last week it was $59 in Tokyo.

I am flying from Richmond to Chicago. My flight gets in at 12pm but my father’s flight doesn’t get in until 4pm. He has a one-time United Club pass from the credit card. I am flying United to Chicago. The pass does not have his name on it but he no longer has the United Credit Card. The pass has not expired. Would I be able to use the pass and get into a United Club in Chicago to wait for my dad for 4 hours? Or when it says you need a boarding pass for that day, it means you need a boarding pass leaving Chicago? Thank you!!

Hi Angelina,

You can use it. No problem. You just need the arriving boarding pass. I recommend the B lounge.

Thank you for your response and thanks for the recommendation!!

Just be positive you have enough time to go to the United Club AND make your flight one time! Being a United credit card holder, I received free passes to their lounge, so I decided to use it at London Heathrow a few years ago between connecting flights. I thought I might have enough time even though I had to go to a different terminal to find the United lounge. The lounge was nice indeed…hot food, beverage service, really nice showers that looked like a spa. Well, I thought I’d have enough time to get back to my flight, had to transfer terminals, and I ended up missing it by 30 seconds! So allow plenty of time, like 45 minutes at least, to get back to your flight gate from the lounge if the lounge is far away from your gate.

I had a club membership for the last 15+ years and did not renew my membership this past year (2017). The atmosphere of the club has changed over the years and there’s not much value there any longer. Here are some of the reasons:

–Way too many people in the lounges. Sometimes there’s not even an available chair. Perhaps it’s all the free passes given by the credit card companies? –Members not only bringing in a spouse or two guests, but all their kids as well. It’s sometimes Iike a Mc Donald’s Playland with the kids running, screaming, crying, jumping over the furniture while the parents look the others way. I’ve even seen cartoons on the tv. –Members bringing in food and drinks from the concourse fast food places. –Members bringing in a “therapy” aka comfort pet. I love dogs, but I don’t want your dog sniffing me and want me to pet it. I don’t want to listen to your dig barking. I have even seen a dog pee on the floor while it’s owner was getting food for herself. –Restrooms are not kept that clean any more. At one point in time, that was one of the key reasons for my membership. –Snacks not replenished, especially if it within 90 min of switching from breakfast to lunch to dinner times.

In my opinion, the club no longer is quiet, exclusive place to relax and get some work done. Rules are not enforced by the staff. Maybe they’re afraid to confront members in violation of the rules and policies? Can’t blame them there. It would be more prob end up being more negative pr for United

I would never purchase a pass to the United Club under any circumstances, and I often fly United business or first class. Having had United Club membership for years, I just chose not to renew last year out of personal dissatisfaction with so many clubs. At NRT, I walk 10 minutes to the ANA Lounge and skip the mediocre food and drink in the United Lounge. In Hong Kong, I just go to the KrisFlyer Lounge and avoid the United Lounge. There are so many nice restaurants in domestic airports now that the money spent to enter a United Lounge could easily pay for lunch or dinner and drinks.

I am flying from HYD, India to SFO, US via layover in HongKong in Cathay Pacific. I have a United Explorer card with one time pass for United Club. I can use this pass even though I am not flying in United or Star Alliance?

You can. Enjoy the lounge!

Can I use United clubSM at any united club locations? Some pass said ‘United club’ skid said ‘United clubSM’ What the different? I’m getting from ebay

SM is just “Servive Mark”, a copyright symbol. Same thing.

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How to access (and enjoy) the United Club

January 12, 2024 Tips and Tricks

Our United Club Fly SM in Denver offers complimentary prepackaged food, snacks and nonalcoholic drinks created for travelers on the go

Our United Club at ORD, near gate C10, offers 17,000 square feet with seating options for more than 400 guests.

Our United Club in the A Concourse of DEN features a luxurious ski lodge aesthetic and thoughtful design touches inspired by the Colorado outdoors.

Got a couple of hours before your next flight? Spend it at one of our United Club locations. If you’ve never visited one of these airport lounges, you’re missing out on one of the best aspects of air travel.

If you’re not sure how airport clubs and lounges work or how you can access one, this post is for you. We’ll explain the entry requirements and what you’ll experience once inside.

What is the United Club?

If you’ve got some extra time at the airport before your next flight, enjoying one of our United Club SM locations is a great way to spend it. Inside, you’ll be able to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the airport concourse or get some work done if you choose.

“Airport lounges can be an oasis from a busy, crowded or outdated terminal,” says Zach Griff of The Points Guy .

You can also enjoy complimentary snacks, beverages and bar service. If needed, you’ll be able to get travel assistance from United representatives or access one of our self-serve kiosks for guidance.

Where are clubs located?

United has an extensive network of clubs and lounges around the world including more than 45 United Club locations, six United Polaris ® lounges, and select partner lounges worldwide.

United Club locations can be found at our busiest airports, including all seven of United’s U.S. hubs (ORD, DEN, EWR, IAD, IAH, LAX and SFO).

We also have six United Polaris lounges available exclusively for long-haul international premium cabin travelers. They’re located at Chicago O’Hare, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington Dulles. These lounges offer premium amenities such as spa-like showers and a private rest area with daybeds so customers can prepare for long flights.

Through United, you may also be able to access our partner airlines’ lounges around the world. If you’ve purchased a ticket through a Star Alliance ™ member airline other than United, you should consult the specific airline’s policy or Star Alliance lounge policy to see if you’re able to access a lounge or club location.

You can find club and lounge locations on united.com or use the United app to locate one for an upcoming flight.

How do I get access?

Many travellers have questions about who can use the United Club. The answer is – you can!

There are a variety of ways you can get United Club access if you’re travelling United or one of our partner airlines. Here are some of the entry requirements :

United Club one-time pass

The best way to try out the United Club is to purchase a one-time pass for your next trip. You can buy one on united.com or on the United app for $59 (at the time of this writing). The price is well worth it since you’ll be able to enjoy complimentary snacks, beverages and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Just be sure to have your boarding pass, either printed or on your mobile device, ready to scan before you enter.

United Club membership

If you try it out and find you’re hooked, you can purchase a one-year United Club membership. Keep in mind you can also pay for the membership with your MileagePlus ® miles.

Premium cabin customers

Eligible premium cabin customers travelling on an international itinerary or in United Business ® on a premium transcontinental flight automatically have access with a same-day United boarding pass.

Star Alliance Gold status

If you’re a Star Alliance Gold member, you can present your membership card and a same-day boarding pass for access. Just note that access policies vary by airline, so if you purchased a ticket through a Star Alliance member airline other than United, you should consult the specific airline’s policy or Star Alliance lounge policy .

What’s it like inside?

At each United Club location, you’ll find spaces to relax and work as well as a wide range of amenities to make your experience more productive and enjoyable.

If you want to get some work done before your flight, you can access the free, high-speed Wi-Fi, and charging stations to keep your devices fully charged.

When it comes to the look of our United Club locations, our new spaces are designed to be “uniquely United and distinctly local.” The spaces are designed with elements reflective of the area in which they’re located.

For example, the new United Club at O’Hare International in Terminal 1 near Gate C10 features a Chicago-inspired design that bridges an industrial and modern look. There’s also Chicago-sourced furniture and décor as well as artwork from local artists and more than 400 seats, including recliners, couches and chairs across a variety of spaces that are meant for lounging, dining, relaxing, working and socializing.

At our United Club at Newark Liberty International in Terminal C3 near gate C123, you can enjoy views of the Manhattan skyline while sipping coffee from a barista-staffed coffee bar. There are also spa-inspired shower suites to elevate your travel experience.

At Denver International, our United Club location in the B-East concourse near Gate B44 is the largest club location in our network with 35,000 square feet across three levels and more than 600 seats. The space reflects Denver’s beer scene with brewery-inspired elements and a new beer tasting experience at the feature bar on the mezzanine level.

Also in Denver, the newly opened United Club in the A-West Concourse near Gate A26 is a two-story space with décor that’s reflective of Colorado’s outdoor landscapes and experiences. It’s designed to feel like a ski lodge with two fireplace lounges, stacked wood and vintage ski décor.

What about the food?

For hungry travelers, we offer complimentary snacks and beverages. Menus vary by location, and we try to offer something for everyone.

Many items are prepared fresh onsite and we feature many “do-it-yourself” offerings so you can mix and match to your desire.

Sticking with the “distinctly local” theme, we work to offer a variety of foods that celebrate the local community in our newer United Club spaces. This includes a coffee bar and deli-type sandwiches at the United Club in EWR’s Terminal C near Gate C123, or a beer tasting experience in DEN with a variety of local craft beers on tap.

There are also plenty of beverages to choose from, including waters, teas, coffee, juice and soda as well as complimentary drinks from the bar.

What else do I need to know?

Before you visit a United Club or lounge, just remember that location hours may vary. You can always check the United app for more information.

Enjoy your time before your next flight!

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Everything you need to know about united club one-time passes.

Regardless of how often you travel, airport lounge access can be a pleasurable, relaxing retreat ahead of your flight. Having somewhere with comfort and amenities you can escape to could make a real difference in your travel experience.

With over 45 locations around the world, a United Club ® lounge can be a pleasant place to wait for your plane to depart. If this piques your interest, read on to learn about United Club ® one-time passes, United Club ® lounges, and how you can access them.

What is a United Club one-time pass?

A United Club one-time pass provides an individual admission to any United Club lounge location. The pass is good for a single use and does not include admission for guests. Children under 2 years old may accompany someone with a one-time pass into a United Club lounge. The expiration date will be printed on one-time passes, and they are not refundable, sellable or transferrable.

What United lounges do I get access to with a one-time pass?

You can access over 45 United Club lounge locations around the world with a one-time pass. Entry will also require a same-day boarding pass for a United, Star Alliance or a contracted partner-operated flight. One-time passes are not usable at United Arrivals Lounges or United Polaris lounges, which are also run by United Airlines.

Standard amenities in a United Club lounge include Wi-Fi, food and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. Many United Club lounge locations also have full-service bars that serve select beer, wine and spirits.

How to get a United Lounge one-time pass

You can buy a one-time pass on the United mobile app, which is also handy to have if you need to view or manage your flight information. If you have a United Explorer card , you can receive 2 one-time passes after account opening, as well as after each anniversary of that account opening as long as the card remains open.

How much is a United club one-time pass?

As of May 2023, a United one-time pass costs $59 per person. The pass grants entry for one person into any United Club lounge. Guests cannot accompany the person with the one-time pass, but children under the age of 2 may.

Other ways to access United Club lounges

Some United credit cards provide a United Club membership to cardmembers. This membership can provide access to United Club lounges. If you have either a United Club Business Card or United Club Infinite Card , you can receive a United Club membership and use it to access United Club lounges.

If you don't already have a United credit card, the available cards to choose from feature various benefits you could enjoy in addition to United Club lounge access.

If you're looking for somewhere enjoyable to wait for a United, Star Alliance or affiliated partner's flight, consider a United Club one-time pass. Each location around the world offers a place you can work, relax or both. One-time passes are available for purchase in the United app and provide entry for one person to any United Club lounge location.

Although one-time passes may enhance your journey, frequent flyers may prefer a United Club membership. This membership provides more than one-time access to United Club lounges and is offered as a benefit of some United credit cards . Review the benefits of different United cards to help you decide which one may be an ideal choice and consider applying today.

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United MileagePlus Program: The Complete Guide

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Table of Contents

What is United MileagePlus?

How much are united miles worth, united airlines vs. competitors, how to earn united miles, how to redeem united miles, united elite status, united airlines partners, credit cards that earn united miles, united fare classes, united baggage fees, united change and cancellation fees, need more help deciding.

United Airlines is among the largest airlines in the U.S. and the world, with domestic hubs in Chicago, Houston, Newark, Denver, San Francisco, Washington-Dulles, Los Angeles and Guam. MileagePlus is the name of the airline’s loyalty program.

The airline operates 4,500 daily flights to more than 300 cities across five continents. In addition, United has partnerships with 18 airlines and is also a member of Star Alliance , which has 26 member airlines. These relationships mean you can earn and redeem miles on 44 airlines, and travel to a great many destinations.

If your home airport is a United stronghold, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with its frequent flyer program so you can start reaping the benefits of the airline’s vast reach.

Follow along as we discuss ways to earn and redeem MileagePlus miles, elite status, the best United credit cards and the airline’s Star Alliance and other airline partners.

MileagePlus is United Airlines' frequent flyer loyalty program. When you fly on paid tickets on United Airlines, its airline partners and its Star Alliance partners, you can earn MileagePlus miles . You can also earn miles in many other ways, including using a United credit card, transferring from Chase Ultimate Rewards®, dining, shopping and much more.

Once you’ve accumulated enough miles, you can redeem them for free flights in first, business class and economy seats on United and its partner airlines. You can also redeem miles for flight upgrades.

United Airlines frequent flyer sign-up

Before you can start earning miles with United Airlines, you’ll need to sign up for a MileagePlus frequent flyer account. It’s free to join, and you can register for an account here .

United economy plus seats. (Photo courtesy of United Airlines)

Based on our most recent analysis, NerdWallet values United MileagePlus miles at 1.2 cents apiece. To determine the value of reward miles, we compared cash prices and reward redemptions for economy round-trip routes across several destinations and dates. We divided the cost of the cash ticket by the cost of the reward ticket to determine a “cent per mile” value for each flight, then averaged this value across several flights and dates. Read more about how we arrived at these figures .

Therefore, this is a baseline value for United miles, based on real-world data collected from hundreds of economy routes, not a maximized value. In other words, you should aim for award redemptions that offer 1.2 cents or more in value from your United miles.

To determine the value of your miles for specific flights, divide the cash value of the ticket (less any applicable taxes/fees if you redeem miles) by the number of miles required for the flight. So if the ticket costs either $100, or 15,000 miles + $10 in taxes/fees, the math would be as follows:

($100 – $10) / 15,000 = 0.006, or 0.6 cent per mile.

United MileagePlus miles value over time

During NerdWallet's last valuation, United MileagePlus miles increased in value for the first time.

While United MileagePlus can pay dividends for some travelers, here’s the bad news: United, as a whole, ranked seventh out of nine airlines in NerdWallet’s 2024 best overall airline analysis .

Its loyalty program, MileagePlus, didn’t fare much better, coming in fifth place in our airline rewards program analysis .

Here's a closer look at how United competed across subcategories:

Seventh in rewards rate .

Third in operations .

Fourth in elite status benefits .

Seventh in terms of total fees .

United tied for third with JetBlue, Hawaiian and Alaska when looking closer at the best basic economy tickets .

Tied for third with Southwest in in-flight experience .

Tied for last place in most pet-friendly airlines .

You can earn miles when you fly on United or its partner airlines, by using a United Airlines credit card and by shopping and dining with partners.

MileagePlus miles can be redeemed for award flights and many other uses, though none of which are as fruitful.

Earn MileagePlus miles when you fly

United’s economy cabin. (Photo courtesy of United Airlines)

The miles total you'll earn for a flight depends on how much you spent on the ticket and your status level within the MileagePlus program. All statuses above basic membership earn mile bonuses.

For example, the basic member rewards rate is 5 miles per dollar. But at Premier Silver level, you earn a 40% bonus, which turns your rate into 7 miles per dollar. We'll have more on status levels below — or you can jump ahead to that part now .

NOTE: You earn miles only on airfare and airline fees. Government-imposed taxes and fees do not earn miles. Generally, the most you can earn on a ticket is 75,000 miles.

Earning on other airlines: When the ticket is issued by United (ticket number starting with 016), you’ll earn miles based on the cost of the fare. But if your ticket is booked through one of United’s partners, miles are awarded based on a calculation involving the price and class of the ticket and the flight distance.

Earn United MileagePlus miles with a credit card

United Airlines offers co-branded credit cards through Chase. Bonuses between cards vary, so if you’re considering a credit card, take a look at its bonus history to take advantage of a high welcome offer.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

NerdWallet's favorite credit card for the MileagePlus program is the United℠ Explorer Card . It gives you 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants, on hotel stays and on purchases from United, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. You also get a great sign-up bonus to start. There's an annual fee, but the checked bag benefit on this card can make up for it quickly.

Here's a quick look at United card options:

on Chase's website

$0 intro for the first year, then $95 .

• 2 miles per $1 on United purchases, gas stations and local transit and commuting.

• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and hotels (when booked directly with hotel).

• 3 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants, select streaming services and all other travel.

• 4 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and all other travel purchases.

• No foreign transaction fees.

• First checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.

• 2 United Club one-time passes each year.

• Credit of up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.

• Priority boarding.

• First and second checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.

• $125 United purchase credit per year (good on airfare).

• Two 5,000-mile award flight credits per anniversary year.

• Access to United Club airport lounges.

Limited-time offer: Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. Learn more.

Limited-time offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Limited-time offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Limited-time offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Here are more resources for shopping United credit cards:

The best benefits of United credit cards

Is a United credit card worth it?

Can you have 2 United credit cards?

Earn United MileagePlus miles through partners

Hotels. You can earn additional MileagePlus miles at most major hotel chains. In some cases, you earn 1 or 2 miles per dollar spent; in others, you earn a flat number of miles per stay. See partner hotels and the earning rules here .

Dining. Register a credit card with MileagePlus Dining , and every time you use that card at a participating restaurant, club or bar, you'll earn up to 5 miles per dollar spent. There are more than 11,000 participating locations.

Auto rentals and other transportation. Hertz-owned rental agencies, including Dollar and Thrifty, offer the option to earn MileagePlus miles. See the rules here . Amtrak rail service and select shuttles and car services are also partners.

Shopping. When you shop online through the MileagePlus Shopping mall, you earn miles for every dollar you spend at more than 850 retailers.

Financial partners. Earn miles when doing business with lending and insurance partners, among others. Details here .

Buy United miles

If you want to buy United miles, you can do so on the MileagePlus website, but this is generally not a good idea . You'll pay far more than the 1.2 cents per mile at which NerdWallet values MileagePlus miles. However, if you need a few thousand miles to top up your account for a valuable award, it could make sense.

» Learn more: How to earn United MileagePlus miles

United’s Premium Plus cabin. (Photo courtesy of United Airlines)

MileagePlus miles are redeemable for flights on United Airlines, on Star Alliance airlines and on United’s independent airline partners. Star Alliance has 26 member airlines and United has partnerships with 14 airlines. All of this means that you can use United miles to fly on 39 airlines, creating many opportunities for traveling the world.

MileagePlus members can pay for domestic United flights using a combination of miles and cash, called Money + Miles. You'll earn miles on the cash portion of the payment, excluding taxes and fees.

United has a user-friendly search engine, which means that In most cases, you can redeem miles directly on United’s website. Choose a flight, and you'll see what the price is in cash as well as miles.

United award tickets

United offers several levels of award seats, requiring more miles for more desirable seats and cabins. Flights can be booked as one-way tickets or round trips, and there is no benefit of booking a round-trip ticket.

Generally, there are two kinds of award redemptions:

Saver Awards seats are cheaper in terms of miles required to book them — ranging from 5,000 to 12,500 miles for domestic economy, for example. But they are scarcer and might not be available for the flight you want.

Everyday Awards seats are more available than Saver Awards seats but require more miles. Flyers with elite status, which United calls Premier, and eligible holders of MileagePlus credit cards have unrestricted access to book seats — even the last seat on the plane — at the Everyday Awards level.

United discontinued its published award chart for flights on Nov. 15, 2019, and does not have a set amount of miles required for each flight anymore. You can generally expect that prices that are cheaper with cash will also be cheaper with miles. It’s always best to compare the cost of each before booking.

Note that if you pay for a flight with miles, you don’t earn frequent-flyer miles for that flight.

Good redemption options

Free flights. Because we value MileagePlus miles at an average of 1.2 cents each, redemptions that give you at least that much value are a decent option. For example, break-even would be a flight that costs $480 or 40,000 miles (40,000 miles x .012 per mile). If you can book a $480 flight for 25,000 miles, that’s a better use of miles (1.9 cents per mile). United has many opportunities for sweet spot redemptions .

Upgrades. Upgrading your seat to a premium class can be another good use of miles because doing so can return a value greater than 1.2 cents per mile. Some upgrades to business or first class require payment in the form of a cash co-pay as well as miles. As with award seats, upgrades are based on one-way flights. The price of an upgrade depends on the fare class of your current ticket — upgrading from a cheaper fare will generally cost more.

» Learn more: How the United upgrade clearing order works

Bad redemption options

Generally, redemptions at a value lower than 1.2 cents per mile aren’t good. Other redemption options include United Club membership fees, hotel stays, car rentals, cruises and gift cards. These options tend to offer a lower value than 1.2 cents per mile, so we recommend avoiding them.

» Learn more: The complete guide to redeeming United MileagePlus miles

United Polaris business class. (Photo courtesy of United Airlines)

Anyone can sign up for the MileagePlus program. It's free to join. With basic membership, though, pretty much all you get is a frequent-flyer number and an account where your points accumulate.

The real goodies come when you fly or spend enough to earn United Airlines elite status. There are four levels of United MileagePlus elite status, which are (in order from lowest to highest):

Here’s what each level entails, and what it takes to get there:

MileagePlus elite levels and benefits

On United, elite statuses are called Premier levels.

With Premier statuses, you’ll qualify for mileage bonuses, seat upgrades, priority check-in, complimentary checked baggage , better award-seat availability, discounted and waived fees and other benefits. And if you get Gold status or better, you’ll also have lounge access when traveling internationally. Here’s a full list of all the perks you’ll receive at each level.

Note that some of the most valuable elite status perks are available through some of the airline’s co-branded credit cards. They include free checked bags, priority boarding, better access to award seats and even United Club airport lounge access.

» Learn more: 7 things to know about United Airlines lounges

How to get elite status on United

To earn MileagePlus Premier elite status, you need to do things the airline cares about as a business: fly often, fly far and spend money. This will earn you a combination of Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs).

PQPs are earned on the base fare, carrier surcharges, economy plus seats or subscriptions, preferred seat purchases, upgrade award co-pays, paid upgrades and flights ticketed and operated by Star Alliance partners.

A PQF is one flight. Each segment flown (except basic economy) will count as one PQF. Flights taken in basic economy will not earn any PQFs.

» Learn more: Guide to United Airlines Premier elite status

You don’t need to track all this math yourself; United does that and displays it in your online MileagePlus account. But the chart below shows how it works. United, like other airlines, labels fare classes with letter codes. For example, F is first class, Y is full-fare economy and N is basic economy. Your fare class for each flight segment is displayed during booking and when viewing a ticketed itinerary on united.com.

PQPs and PQFs are all credited to the person flying, not the person paying for the tickets. And if you used frequent flyer miles to pay for a flight, you won’t earn any PQPs or PQFs.

United elite status requirements

To become an elite member, you need a specific number of PQFs and PQPs or PQPs only. Here are the requirements to earn status in 2024:

Since United can’t determine how much money you spend on flights with Star Alliance partners, if you choose to earn United miles on those flights, PQPs will be earned based on an airline’s designation as a “Preferred” or “MileagePlus” partner :

Earning Premier status is based on flying and spending during the previous calendar year. Once you qualify for a Premier status, it is valid from the date you qualified through the end of the following program year. So, it could last more than 12 months. For example, if you qualify for Premier Silver status in June 2024, you’ll keep your status through Jan. 31, 2026.

You can request a United status match up to United Premier Platinum for 120 days.

The United Airlines website identifies these as its partner airlines.

Star Alliance members

In general, you can earn MileagePlus miles on flights with Star Alliance partners and redeem your miles for flights on Star Alliance airlines.

Aegean Airlines.

Air Canada.

Air New Zealand.

All Nippon Airways (ANA).

Asiana Airlines.

Austrian Airlines.

Brussels Airlines.

Copa Airlines.

Croatia Airlines.

Ethiopian Airlines.

Lot Polish Airlines.

Scandinavian Airlines.

Shenzhen Airlines.

Singapore Airlines.

South African Airways.

TAP Air Portugal.

Thai Airways.

Turkish Airlines.

» Learn more: Plan your next redemption with our airline partner points tool

Other partner airlines

On airlines outside the Star Alliance, your ability to earn and/or redeem miles is more limited. For example, you may be able to earn miles but not redeem them, or you may be able to redeem only for certain flights.

Aer Lingus.

Air Dolomiti.

Boutique Air.

Discover Airlines.

Eurowings Discover.

Hawaiian Airlines.

Olympic Air.

Silver Airways.

Virgin Australia.

» Learn more: The guide to United Airlines partners: earning and redeeming miles

United Airlines co-branded credit cards are issued by Chase. Cards that earn MileagePlus miles include:

United Gateway℠ Card

2 miles per dollar on eligible United Airlines purchases, gas, local transit and commuting.

1 mile per dollar spent on other purchases.

Annual fee: $0 .

United℠ Explorer Card

2 miles per dollar on eligible United Airlines purchases, hotel stays and at restaurants.

Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95 .

United Quest℠ Card

3 miles per dollar on eligible United Airlines purchases.

2 miles per dollar on restaurants, select streaming services and all other travel.

Up to $125 in annual United credit.

Annual fee: $250 .

United Club℠ Infinite Card

4 miles per dollar spent on United purchases.

2 miles per dollar spent on dining and all other travel.

1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

United Club membership.

Annual fee: $525 .

United℠ Business Card

Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on restaurants, gas stations, office supplies stores, transit and United purchases.

Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $99 .

United Club℠ Business Card

2 miles per dollar on United ticket purchases.

1.5 miles per dollar on every purchase.

Annual fee: $450 .

Another United co-branded card for consumers, the United℠ TravelBank Card , does not earn MileagePlus miles. This card is no longer accepting applications.

The United fare classes are (in order from finest to most basic) are:

United First Class.

United Polaris.

Premium Economy.

Economy Plus.

Basic Economy .

All United fare classes (aside from basic economy) allow you to pick your own seat. Here’s your ultimate guide to selecting seats on United .

On United, your free baggage allowance depends on factors including your elite status, whether you paid with a United credit card, your route and the fare type you’ve purchased.

Typically, economy class passengers on domestic flights owe $40 (or $35 if prepaid) for the first checked bag and $50 ($45 if prepaid) for the second checked bag on domestic flights. Business and first class passengers typically receive up to two checked bags free of charge.

» Learn more: United Airlines bag fees: How they work and how to avoid them

These two types of fees can affect your trip, so it's best to know what you can expect to pay ahead of time if plans change.

If you need to change or cancel a United flight

If you need to cancel a United flight , terms vary by the type of airfare you bought. Most United tickets are technically nonrefundable, but there’s an exception if the cancellation request is made within 24 hours of booking.

Some tickets are refundable, but you may need to pay a cancellation fee.

With most United nonrefundable tickets (except basic economy), there’s also a silver lining: Typically, you can apply the value of your ticket toward the price of a new ticket. If you cancel your nonrefundable ticket, you'll receive United travel funds that you can apply toward a new reservation. Flight credits expire a year after the original issue date of the ticket, and you can find travel funds in your United account's Wallet.

If United cancels your flight (or just delays it)

If the canceled flight was United’s choice, not yours, you have more options. You’re entitled to a full refund on flights canceled by United , regardless of fare class, if you choose to not take another flight when the airline cancels. If you still need to get to your destination, United will accommodate you on another departing flight at no additional cost — even if the cash fare is more expensive.

If you opt not to fly and want a refund, contact United customer service by calling the airline at 800-864-8331.

If your flight is canceled, you can rebook on United's website or app by choosing an alternate flight or sometimes another departure or arrival airport other than your original one.

If your United flight is delayed , you’re not necessarily entitled to compensation ; it depends on the situation. Sometimes United will cover a hotel room night (or at least a discount). It also doesn’t hurt to ask to join the standby list of other flights or to switch to another flight to another nearby airport, as United will typically accommodate such requests for no additional charge.

The simplest way to redeem United miles is to use them for award flights on United and its partner airlines. You will need to log in to your United MileagePlus account to search for available flights. Other ways to use United miles include: flight upgrades, hotel bookings, shopping and gift cards.

No, you cannot transfer your United miles to other airlines. However, you can use your United miles to book flights on partner and Star Alliance airlines.

United no longer has an award chart and instead uses dynamic pricing, so the price of an award ticket fluctuates based on the date of travel and the airline. To see a list of the lowest award fares, check out United’s flight award deals to various destinations for as low as 5,000 miles.

United has a Money + Miles payment option, giving flyers the ability to pay for domestic United flights using a combination of miles and cash. If you’re short on miles when paying for an award ticket, choose the Money + Miles option when submitting your payment info and designate the amount of miles you want to use. The remaining amount can be paid for in cash, which will also earn miles.

NerdWallet values United miles at 1.2 cents each, which means that 10,000 United miles are worth $120. Although there is no hard and fast rule that applies in every instance, generally it makes sense to use your miles when you can extract a value greater than 1.2 cents from each mile. So, if a flight costs 10,000 miles or $50, you’d be better off paying cash. However, if that same 10,000-mile flight costs $200, it would be preferable to use your miles.

It's free to join United’s MileagePlus loyalty program. All you need to do is head over to United’s website and sign up for an account.

United no longer has an award chart and instead uses dynamic pricing, so the price of an award ticket fluctuates based on the date of travel and the airline. To see a list of the lowest award fares, check out United’s

flight award deals

to various destinations for as low as 5,000 miles.

NerdWallet values United miles at

each, which means that 10,000 United miles are worth $120. Although there is no hard and fast rule that applies in every instance, generally it makes sense to use your miles when you can extract a value greater than

from each mile. So, if a flight costs 10,000 miles or $50, you’d be better off paying cash. However, if that same 10,000-mile flight costs $200, it would be preferable to use your miles.

It's free to join United’s MileagePlus loyalty program. All you need to do is head over to

United’s website

and sign up for an account.

We've covered all the basic details of the United Airlines MileagePlus program. But if you still aren't sure whether a frequent flyer program is worth the effort, see our absolute beginner's guide to frequent flyer programs .

The information related to the United℠ TravelBank Card and United Club℠ Business Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-2x Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

60,000 Limited-time offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

1x-2x Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining, at gas stations, office supply stores and on local transit and commuting. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75000 Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

1x-3x 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases. 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, select streaming services & all other travel. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, each year, receive up to a $125 United® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits (terms apply) and earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points.

70,000 Limited-time offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Complete guide to United's revenue, award and upgrade fare classes

Editor's Note

If you're looking for ways to maximize your recently devalued United miles , you're not alone.

As you delve into the details of the MileagePlus program , you'll come across fare classes, which can feel like alphabet soup. United uses different letter codes in its reservation systems to label different buckets of tickets. While we commonly refer to them as economy, premium economy, business class or first class, the reservations systems use designators such as Y, O and J, among others .

For example, let's consider the United Polaris cabin. Regardless of the seat they choose, passengers in this cabin may have booked their tickets in different fare classes. One passenger in seat 1A might have booked the "I" class, which indicates a saver award ticket using miles. Another passenger in seat 8L might have booked a full-fare (paid) "J" ticket. The in-flight experience won't differ, but there are still important distinctions between the two.

Understanding fare classes is essential for frequent United flyers as it affects mileage and Premier qualifying points (PQPs) earnings, which are generally tied to the price of your ticket. For instance, a basic economy passenger with an "N" class ticket will generally earn significantly fewer miles than a business traveler with a full-fare "Y" ticket.

In addition, if you hope to upgrade to a higher cabin, paying attention to fare classes is important. Booking a flight in the "W" fare class or higher requires 40 PlusPoints, while lower-priced fare classes require double that amount.

These fare class codes also come into play when making flight changes. If only a higher fare class is available, you may need to pay the price difference, even when using United's same-day change policy. Therefore, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with these codes.

Let's take a closer look at how United breaks them down.

Revenue fare classes

United uses many different fare classes for standard revenue tickets. These letters apply to paid tickets booked on United.com, but they also apply to reservations made via credit card travel portals — including Chase Travel and American Express Travel .

For visibility into these fare classes, we suggest visiting United's website and enabling Expert Mode on your profile page. This will allow you to see the complete list of fare classes when searching for paid itineraries on United-operated flights, as demonstrated below with an example from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).

The available fare classes list includes paid tickets, upgrades and awards, all mixed in.

Starting with revenue fares, here's how it breaks down:

First/business class

J: Full fare C: High fare D: High fare Z: Discounted fare P: Deepest discounted fare

Premium Plus

O: High fare A: Discounted fare R: Deepest discounted fare

Y: Highest full fare — regional instant upgrades for all elite members when PN is available (or PZ if Premier 1K) B: Full fare — regional instant upgrades for all elite members when PN is available (or PZ if Premier 1K) M: High fare — regional instant upgrades for Premier 1K when PZ is available E: High fare U: High fare H: High fare Q: Discounted fare V: Discounted fare W: Lowest standard Polaris upgrade-eligible fare S: Deep-discounted fare T: Deep-discounted fare L: Deep-discounted fare K: Deep-discounted fare G: Deepest discounted fare N: Basic economy on domestic and short-haul international flights

Just note that you'll often see multiple prices for the same economy fare class. Domestic and short-haul international flights offer an "upgrade" option to convert a discounted fare into a fully refundable one. Meanwhile, long-haul international flights usually have three different options for the lowest-priced economy fare class:

• Basic economy (limited perks)
• Economy (standard perks)
• Flexible economy (standard perks on a fully refundable fare)

Pay close attention to the ticket you book to know exactly what to expect.

How fare classes impact partner mileage rates

When you book United flights via United.com, you earn Mileage Plus miles based on the price of your ticket. However, if you opt to credit these flights to a partner program, most of them still compute earning rates based on the fare class and distance flown.

Take Air Canada Aeroplan . Here's the accrual chart for United-operated flights credited to your Aeroplan account:

In the above flight from San Francisco to Singapore, the Great Circle Mapper calculates the distance as 8,446 miles. Booking a ticket in the S fare class would accrue Aeroplan points at 50% of said distance — so you'd take home 4,223 points. This is notably higher than the 3,675 United miles you'd earn with United MileagePlus.

Related: United's best kept elite status secret: How to earn PQPs faster with partner flights

Upgrade fare classes

United also has different fare classes for upgrading to a higher cabin. This includes travelers booked in economy who want to upgrade to Premium Plus or Polaris business class, as well as ticketed passengers in Premium Plus who want to snag a business class seat. These can also vary depending on your United elite status tier.

PN: Global Services mileage and PlusPoints upgrade and instant upgrades for Premier 1K customers in full-fare economy on eligible routes. PZ: Premier Platinum and 1K PlusPoints and all mileage upgrade awards — though if you've received a Complimentary Premier Upgrade (CPU), you'll also be automatically reticketed in this fare class

RN: Upgrades for all members

Upgrade-eligible fare classes

While these upgrade classes are fixed, the price you'll need to pay to upgrade is not, as it depends on the revenue fare class you book. Passengers with tickets in the "W" fare class or higher can use 40 PlusPoints to upgrade to Polaris business class on eligible international flights. However, tickets booked in S, T, L, K or G fare classes require 80 points for the upgrade.

All paid Premium Plus fares are eligible for Polaris upgrades at 30 PlusPoints, and all regular economy fares can be upgraded to Premium Plus for 20 PlusPoints.

Note that United's basic economy fares — which book into the N fare class — aren't eligible for any type of upgrade.

Related: Why Premium Plus and higher fare classes are the secret to United upgrades

Award fare classes

Now, let's discuss award tickets. There are nine fare classes for mileage tickets, and the rates can differ significantly between each code. As noted above, you can view all fare class availability by enabling Expert Mode. From there, you'd initiate a revenue search instead of selecting "book with miles" on United.com.

Here's a breakdown of United's award fare classes.

JN: Everyday award for all members (dynamic pricing) IN: Saver award for Premier Platinum and 1K members I: Saver award for all other customers and partner redemptions

Premier Platinum, 1K and Global Services members have access to expanded business- and first-class saver awards on United-operated flights. These will book into the IN fare class but will only appear when logged into an eligible account.

For example, I'm a Premier 1K member, and here's what I see when I search for the same flight from San Francisco to Singapore detailed above.

In this specific example, the IN inventory matches the I inventory. However, as a general rule of thumb, United typically releases more seats to the IN fare than the I fare (the standard fare class for business-class and domestic first-class saver awards).

Just remember that only I inventory is bookable using rewards from partner programs like Air Canada Aeroplan and ANA Mileage Club .

Read more: The best websites to search for Star Alliance award availability

ON: All awards (dynamic pricing)

YN: Everyday award for all members (dynamic pricing) XN: Saver award for elite members and select credit cardholders X: Saver award for all other customers and partner redemptions

If you're the primary cardholder of a United Explorer Card , United Business Card , United Quest Card or United Club Infinite Card , you can access expanded economy-class saver awards , giving you access to the XN fare class. This also applies to all United elites — including Premier Silver and Premier Gold members. United often releases more seats to the XN fare than the X fare (the standard fare class for economy-class saver awards).

However, like business class, only X inventory is available using partner currencies.

Bottom line

Frequent flyers often familiarize themselves with fare classes, as understanding their meanings empowers them to book, change and earn credit from flights more efficiently. While you don't need to memorize all the fare classes immediately, we suggest enabling Expert Mode on United's website. This will grant you access to this valuable information whenever you log in, whether through the airline's website or mobile app.

Additional reporting by Zach Honig.

An Ultimate Guide to United Airlines Companion Pass

Note: At this time, United Airlines does not offer companion passes. As such, the content in this post is no longer valid. If United Airlines offers companion passes in the future, this post will be updated to reflect the latest changes.

United Airlines did not have a traditional companion pass program similar to those of some other airlines like Southwest or Alaska Airlines. However, United Airlines offers various promotions, deals, and benefits through their MileagePlus program, which might include occasional offers for companion travel or discounted tickets for companions of elite members or credit cardholders.

United MileagePlus Explorer Cardholders, for instance, used to receive a one-time use companion certificate each year upon renewal that allowed a companion to travel for a reduced fare when purchasing an eligible ticket. However, these offerings and benefits can change over time, so it’s always advisable to check the most recent offers and promotions directly on United Airlines’ website or through their MileagePlus program updates for the latest information on companion benefits and passes.

The United Airlines Companion Pass is one of the best travel perks you can use to fly cheaply throughout the United States and around the globe.

Although it is not suitable for everyone, if you are a travel geek like us, then the companion pass can greatly benefit you.

Let’s learn what exactly a United Airlines companion pass is, what are the methods to get one, and how to use it.

Table of Contents

What is The United Airlines Companion Pass?

The United Airlines Companion Pass is a benefit offered by United Airlines to its frequent flyers who have achieved Premier status in the MileagePlus loyalty program.

It allows a companion to travel with the Premier member on any flight operated by United Airlines, even if the Premier member is not traveling on the same flight. It is also known as the United Airlines Buddy Pass.

How Do You Qualify For The United Airlines Companion Pass?

To qualify for the United Companion Pass, a Premier member must earn a certain number of Premier qualifying miles or segments and meet other requirements set by United Airlines. See below for full details.

Once the requirements are met, the Companion Pass can be used for the remainder of the year in which it was earned and for the following year.

What are the limitations Of the United Airlines Companion Pass?

There are some limitations to the Companion Pass, such as blackout dates and limited availability of seats. As such, it’s important to check with United Airlines for specific details and restrictions.

That said, for those who travel frequently with a companion, the United Airlines Companion Pass can be a valuable benefit that provides significant cost savings on air travel.

    Search for the lowest prices on United Airlines flights with Skyscanner

Why Does Everyone Want a Companion Pass?

There are several reasons why people may want an airline Companion Pass, such as the United Companion Pass:

• Cost savings: One of the main reasons people want a United Companion Pass is the cost savings. By having the pass, travellers can bring a companion on any United Airlines flight for free (excluding taxes and fees) when they purchase a ticket for themselves.
• More travel opportunities: Having a United Airlines Buddy Pass allows travelers to bring a friend or family member along on their trips, which can be a great way to spend time together and explore new destinations. It can also provide more flexibility in planning travel, as the companion can fly even if the traveler is not.
• Loyalty program benefits: The United Companion Pass is a benefit offered to United Airlines frequent flyers who have achieved Premier status in the MileagePlus loyalty program. For these travelers, the United Companion Pass can be a valuable reward for their loyalty and can provide additional perks and benefits when traveling with United Airlines.

Overall, the United Airlines Buddy Pass is a valuable benefit for frequent travelers who want to save money on air travel and enjoy more opportunities to explore the world with a companion.

Where Does United Airlines Fly?

United Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, flying to destinations across the United States and around the globe . Here’s a quick rundown of some of United’s top international destinations:

• London, UK: United Airlines offers multiple daily flights to London from several major US cities.
• Tokyo, Japan: United has a strong presence in Tokyo, with flights to both Narita and Haneda airports .
• Frankfurt, Germany: United offers flights to Frankfurt from several major US cities, making it a popular gateway to Europe.
• Sydney, Australia: United flies to Sydney from San Francisco, offering connections to other Australian and New Zealand destinations.
• Cancun, Mexico: United Airlines offers multiple daily flights to Cancun, making it a popular vacation destination.
• Amsterdam, Netherlands: United flies to Amsterdam from several major US cities, making it a gateway to Europe.
• Paris, France: United offers flights to Paris from several major US cities, making it a popular destination for travelers.
• Hong Kong: United Airlines flies to Hong Kong from several major US cities, offering connections to other Asian destinations.
• San Jose del Cabo, Mexico: United Airlines offers multiple daily flights to San Jose del Cabo, making it a popular vacation destination.
• San Juan, Puerto Rico: United Airlines offers multiple daily flights to San Juan, making it a popular Caribbean destination.

Of course, this is just a small sample of the many destinations United Airlines serves. Whether you’re looking to explore new cultures, soak up some sun, or hit the slopes, United Airlines can get you there.

Oman Air First-Class Experience – 787-9 Muscat to London

The Process to get a United Airlines Companion Pass

To get a United Airlines Companion Pass, you need to be a member of United’s MileagePlus frequent flyer program and meet the qualifying requirements. Here’s a general overview of the process:

• MileagePlus Premier Status: To be eligible for the Companion Pass, you must hold MileagePlus Premier status at the Platinum, 1K, or Global Services level. This status requires a certain level of qualifying miles or segments flown with United Airlines or its partners, as well as meeting certain spending thresholds.
• Spending Requirement: In addition to MileagePlus Premier status, you must also meet a spending requirement. The spending requirement for the 2021 program year is $24,000 in eligible net purchases on a United MileagePlus credit card during the calendar year.
• United MileagePlus Credit Card: To be eligible for the Companion Pass, you must have a United MileagePlus credit card in your name that is open and in good standing.
• Companion Selection: Once you have qualified for the Companion Pass, you can select one designated companion to fly with you for free on eligible flights. The companion must be registered with United Airlines and must be the same person for the duration of the program year.
• Book your flights: To use the Companion Pass, you’ll need to book your flights directly through United Airlines. When booking, select the option to add a companion and enter their information. You’ll be responsible for paying any taxes and fees associated with the companion’s ticket.

It’s worth noting again that the United Companion Pass benefit has some limitations and restrictions, such as blackout dates and limited availability of seats.

Additionally, the qualifying requirements can be challenging to meet for some travelers, so it’s important to carefully review the requirements before setting your sights on earning a Companion Pass.

Using Your United Companion Pass

Using a United Companion Pass is a great way to save money and bring a buddy or family member along on your travels. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the Companion Pass:

• Log in to your United MileagePlus account: The first step is to log in to your MileagePlus account on the United Airlines website. If you haven’t already done so, you’ll need to link your Companion’s MileagePlus account to yours.
• Search for eligible flights: When you’re ready to book your flight, search for eligible flights on the United Airlines website. Not all flights are eligible for the Companion Pass benefit, so make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking.
• Select “Add Companion”: When you’ve found a qualifying flight, select the “Add Companion” button during the booking process. You’ll be prompted to enter your companion’s information and verify that they meet the eligibility requirements.
• Pay for taxes and fees: Once you’ve added your companion, you’ll be responsible for paying the taxes and fees associated with their ticket. These fees can vary depending on the destination and itinerary, so make sure to check the total cost before completing your booking.
• Enjoy your flight: Once you’ve completed the booking process and paid the necessary fees, you’re all set to take off on your journey with your companion. Just make sure to check in for your flight and arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare.

Pro tip:  Make sure you have a reliable connection to stay updated with some of the best travel perks. If you are looking to change your internet service provider, we recommend reaching out to  Xfinity customer service  to sign up for a super-fast and seamless connection.

United Companion Pass FAQs 

What is the united airlines companion pass.

The United Airlines Companion Pass is a travel perk that allows a companion to fly for free (taxes and fees apply) with the primary ticket holder on select United Airlines flights.

How can I get a United Airlines Companion Pass?

You can get a United Airlines Companion Pass by meeting qualifying requirements such as earning MileagePlus Premier status or spending on eligible credit cards.

How long is the United Airlines Companion Pass valid?

If you earned the Companion Pass through MileagePlus Premier status, it will be valid for the remainder of the current calendar year, as well as the following calendar year.

If you earned the United Companion Pass through credit card spending or other promotional offers, the validity can vary depending on the terms of the offer.

How can I remove the details of the existing companion and add a new one?

To remove the details of an existing United companion and add a new one you will need to log in to your United MileagePlus account on. From there, navigate to your account settings and select the option for “Companion information” or “My companions.” Find the companion you want to remove and click on the “Remove” button next to their name.

To add a new companion, select the option to “Add a companion” and enter the necessary information for the new companion, such as their name and MileagePlus number. Make sure to verify that the new companion meets the eligibility requirements for the Companion Pass benefit.

Save the changes and you’re all set!

It’s important to note that the Companion Pass benefit is limited to one companion at a time, so you’ll need to remove the existing companion before adding a new one. Additionally, the process for removing and adding companions may vary depending on your account status and other factors, so it’s best to consult with United Airlines directly for assistance if you encounter any issues or have questions.

What is the overall value of the United Airlines companion pass?

The overall value of the United Airlines Companion Pass can vary depending on your travel patterns and how often you fly with United Airlines.

However, for frequent travelers who meet the qualifying requirements, the Companion Pass can provide significant savings and added flexibility by allowing them to bring a friend or family member along on select flights for free.

Depending on the cost of the flight and the number of times you use the Companion Pass, it’s possible to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in airfare costs. Additionally, the Companion Pass can be a valuable perk for those who enjoy traveling with others and want to share their adventures with a companion.

Am I allowed to change my flight on a United Companion Pass booking?

Yes, you are allowed to change your flight on a United Airlines companion pass booking, but there may be restrictions and fees associated with making changes.

It’s best to review the terms and conditions of your booking and contact United Airlines directly for assistance with making any changes to your itinerary.

  READ MORE: How to keep your documents safe while travelling?

Custom lanyard with badge holder from GSJJ – You take it conveniently and can customize any style you want along with adding your name and phone number on the lanyard. If you lose important documents while travelling, the person who finds it can better contact you.

Final Words

In conclusion, the United Airlines Companion Pass is an amazing perk for frequent travelers who want to share their adventures with a friend or loved one. Not only will you be able to enjoy the pleasures of flying together, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re getting something for free (and who doesn’t love free stuff?).

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and earn that United Companion Pass, and soon you’ll be jet-setting across the world with your favorite travel buddy by your side!

What say you? Thoughts on this Ultimate Guide to United Airlines Companion Pass? Let’s hear it!

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This is a scam .. Not true .. I am a 1 Million miler with and 1k and meet all the requirements and United does not honor this post ….

Hi Kurt, this post is not a scam. The information may be outdated through. I will review.

Great Post Thanks For this

Thanks For This great Information

This is completely false United does not have a companion pass of any kind.

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PointsPanda LLC is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which PointsPanda LLC receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites including but not limited to CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and the likelihood of applicants’ credit approval also impact how and where products appear on this site. PointsPanda LLC does not include the entire universe of available financial or credit offers.

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The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

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What Are The United Club Access Rules?

Points Panda has partnered with a variety of financial companies including CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. Points Panda and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

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The highlight of United’s lounge policy is that there’s more than one way to get United Club access. Depending on your travel preferences or your budget, you can get lounge access either with a one-time pass, a paid membership, or a complimentary membership.

United has more than 45 United club locations worldwide and 6 United Polaris lounges that offer free food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, high-speed WiFi, and more premium travel perks.

While having multiple options to get lounge access is a good thing, it can become very confusing, too, since each one has its own set of rules and guidelines. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into how you can get lounge access through these various methods.

Read More: United First and Business Class During Coronavirus (Flight Review)

What Is the United Club access policy?

As mentioned, there are multiple ways to get United Club Access, and we’ll discuss more on these options below:

United Club Paid Membership

United club one-time pass.

• United MileagePlus Credit Card

Be An Active Us Military Personnel

Virgin australia velocity frequent flyer membership, flying first or business class, star alliance gold status, united club lounge faqs:.

You can purchase an annual United Club membership either with cash or miles, but the prices are based on your elite status:

• General Member : Single – $650 or 85,000 miles
• Premier Silver : Single – $650 or 85,000 miles
• Premier Gold : Single – $650 or 85,000 miles
• Premier Platinum : Single – $600 or 80,000 miles
• Premier 1K : Single – $550 or 75,000 miles

Access Requirements & Eligibility

• Passengers must have a same-day boarding pass on a United, Star Alliance, or a contracted partner-operated flight. Your boarding pass must show a valid United Club membership number on it…OR
• A valid United Club membership number and a boarding pass for a same-day United, Star Alliance, or a contracted partner-operated flight.

Guest Policy

Members may bring 2 adult guests or 1 adult + dependent children under 21 years old.

You can buy one-time passes at United Club locations or through the United app for $59. You can use this app at any United lounge.

• A valid mobile or paper United Club one-time pass, plus a same-day boarding pass for a United, Star Alliance, or a contracted partner-operated flight…OR
• A valid 15-digit one-time pass number, plus a same-day boarding pass for a same-day United, Star Alliance, or a contracted partner-operated flight

One-time pass holders cannot bring guests to United Clubs. However, they may bring children under 2 years old for free.

United  MileagePlus Credit Card

People who have the following co-branded credit cards below will either get a one-time pass or an annual membership:

• United Business Card  – 2 one-time passes
• United Explorer Card  – 2 one-time passes
• United Club Business Card  – Annual membership
• United Club Infinite Card  – Annual membership

While the method of acquiring the membership or the one-time pass is different, the policies still remain the same.

Those with annual memberships must have:

• A same-day boarding pass on a United, Star Alliance, or a contracted partner-operated flight. Your boarding pass must show a valid United Club membership number on it…OR

Those with one-time passes must have:

Annual memberships allow you to bring 2 adult guests or 1 adult + dependent children under 21 years old. Meanwhile, one-time pass holders are not allowed to bring guests except for children under two years old.

United Airlines provides special lounge privileges for active Military members and their families.

• Must have a valid ID
• Must be wearing a uniform upon entry
• Must have leave orders
• Must have rest and recuperation papers

Lounge access is free, but access is dependent on the seating availability of each lounge.

Family members will have United Club access if they have gate passes or have the same flight as the military member.

All Velocity Gold, Platinum, and VIP members will have access to United Club locations.

Passengers must present a same-day boarding pass for a United or Virgin Australia-operated flight. Lounge access is only available during departure.

Eligible members can bring one guest each if the guest is traveling on a United-operated flight.

All travelers on United first class or business class fares on transcontinental or international flights can get United Club access if they can present a same-day boarding pass upon entry. Access is not only granted to those flying on United flights but also to those flying on  Star Alliance  partner flights (Turkish Air, Lufthansa, etc.)

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the requirements and policies:

Whether it was acquired through the United frequent flyer program or other alliance partners, travelers who have a  Star Alliance Gold status  will have access to United Club lounges.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Membership

Read More: United Airlines Wifi Service Basic Guide & Tips

Are Pets Allowed In United Club Lounges?

Service animals are allowed in most United Club and United-operated lounges. Regular pets must be inside a kennel while the owner is inside the Club.

Can You Sleep In A United Club Lounge?

Generally, sleeping is against lounge policy, but if there are fewer crowds, attendants will allow you to do it.

Do You Need To Present A Government-issued ID When Entering The Lounge?

It is not required, but United has the right to request an ID for further verification of your credentials.

How Can I Replace My Lost United Club Card?

You can ask for a replacement for lost or stolen membership cards. Just go to a United Club location or call 1-866-822-5827 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT daily. United will require a $50 charge for the replacement.

While the access rules and guest policies can become confusing, we can’t deny the fact that United Club lounges offer a lot of benefits. Do you have lounge access? How did you acquire it?\

Jestan Mendame

Jestan Mendame is a seasoned copywriter and social media strategist who handles Points Panda social media channels as well as writing mainly articles about travel for Points Panda as well. He is from Manila and resides there.

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What Is The United Polaris Lounge Network?

• Earn 75,000 Bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Earn 2X miles on everyday spend.
• Earn 10X miles on hotels and car rentals, and 5x on flights booked on Capital One Travel
• Receive 10,000 bonus miles every account opening anniversary.
• Get a $300 credit to use on Capital One Travel each year.
• Unlimited Access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges internationally.
• $395 annual fee.

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Travel Codex

Your Resource for Better Travel

United Bundle Offers Are Often A Lousy Deal

United Bundle Offers – A Bad Deal!

I recently purchased a United Economy ticket from Dallas to Chicago. Why? Because I really want to fly the 737-MAX 9, and that’s the most convenient routing to try it. (Don’t ask me why. I guess it’s because I’m irrationally obsessed with the MAX in the same vein as the 717.) Of course, flying to Chicago on a weekday in December returns some pretty low fares.

As I’ll explain later, it’s generally NOT a good idea to choose the “Economy Plus” option. It won’t save you money, and the booking code provides no benefit if crediting to a partner program.

While I’ve seen these for years, I rarely gave them a second glance. Most involved some sort of checked bag offer, and none of my recent United flights warranted a bag.

In this case, though, the pricing jumped out and caught my attention. All of these bundle offers center around Economy Plus seating. And the price seemed awful high for a flight from DFW to Chicago. Though it’s $6 cheaper to buy out of Economy Minus here than when selecting the fare, it’s still not a good deal. That’s because Economy Plus seats on this flight, if purchased separately, run from $59 to $77. In other words, you save up to $15 by waiting until the seat selection screen.

I suppose if you REALLY want one of those $76 or $77 seats, buy the bundle and save a few bucks. (And if you bought an Economy Plus “fare” – really just an Economy fare with an $80 seat fee – you come out behind every time.)

As for the other offers, they’re not any better. If I wanted to buy Economy Plus, I’d pick a window, which goes for $66 on this flight. So if I picked the seat and paid for a checked bag, that’s a total of $96. Why pay $7 more than you have to by purchasing the bundle? For the last bundle offer, I guess it depends on how much you value priority boarding. If you’re in Economy Plus, you already get Group 3, so does Group 2 justify an upcharge? In my mind, no, but maybe it’s worth it to you.

The value propositions deteriorate further when buying a Basic Economy ticket. These United bundle offers popped up when I clicked the Basic Economy fare.

Meanwhile, here’s the seat assignment a la carte pricing for Basic Economy on this flight:

Seat assignments include preferred seats, so I guess if you really want that $41 preferred seat, you get a slight discount. (Most “preferred” seats on this flight go for $25 or $26. And frankly, I don’t see any value in a standard coach seat a few rows farther up to begin with.) But otherwise, you lose with every possible seat. Even when checking a bag, you’re still better off paying the $30 for the bag and $16 for a window in the back than buying the bundle. The only one that sort of constitutes a “deal” is the checked bag plus United Club pass.  This results in a price of $47 for the pass, or a $12 discount off the standard price. Personally, I wouldn’t pay $47 for a United Club pass, but YMMV.

For that matter, if you value a seat assignment, why buy a Basic Economy fare on this routing to begin with? The buy-up to standard Economy Minus is only $17, which gives you access to all standard seat assignments. And then you can take a regular carry-on to boot.

Final Thoughts

Granted, these United bundle offers vary each time you buy a ticket, so maybe these provide real value on occasion. But based on my offers, why would you ever buy most of these? United’s price points just don’t make much sense at all. Now, throw in a cheeseburger, and you’ve got my attention…

Read This Next

About Sriram Srinivasan

Sriram is an aficionado of all modes of travel, by land, air, and sea. A recovering frequent business traveler, he shows how to make the most of your vacation time, even without status.

Simple Flying

United airlines premium economy: is it worth the upgrade.

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• United Premium Plus offers enhanced amenities at a more affordable price than business class, making it an enticing option for travelers seeking comfort and a touch of luxury.
• Passengers enjoy benefits such as priority check-in, boarding, and bag handling, as well as bigger seats with more recline and additional legroom.
• The upgraded services onboard, including complimentary alcoholic beverages and quality dinnerware, enhance the overall in-flight experience, bridging the gap between economy and business class.

As travelers seek the perfect balance between cost and comfort, the United Airlines Premium Plus class makes its mark as a tempting proposition for those yearning for a more elevated travel experience. If you’re contemplating settling for basic economy, paying a little more for some added amenities in premium economy , or going all out on business class instead, read on!

What is United Premium Plus?

United Premium Plus is United Airlines’ premium economy class (available across its widebody fleet), nestled between standard economy and business class. Promising a curated blend of enhanced amenities without the steep price tag, the benefits of Premium Plus begin the moment you arrive at the airport.

Premium Plus passengers are offered two free checked bags, priority check-in and boarding, and even express security so you can go to the front of the line at often long and tedious security screenings. Passengers are also treated to priority bag handling, meaning, you’ll be among the first to receive your checked bag when you arrive at your destination.

Onboard, the Premium Plus cabin offers bigger and wider seats with more recline – a distinct departure from the conventional economy experience. Furthermore, with additional legroom and a footrest, passengers can find themselves in a cocoon of comfort that bridges the gap between the cramped confines of economy and the lavishness of business class.

Is British Airways Premium Economy Worth The Upgrade?

For the right price, World Traveller Plus offers a much more comfortable flight.

The allure of this intermediate class lies not only in the physical space it provides but also in the upgraded services that accompany the flight. Passengers can relish complimentary alcoholic beverages, free snacks, and a selection of quality cutlery and dinnerware to enhance the overall in-flight experience.

Bridging the gap

The fee to upgrade from Basic Economy (most restrictive) or Economy to Premium Plus is much more affordable than the upgrade to United Polaris (the airline’s business class). Take, for example, a round-trip from New York’s Newark Liberty International Airport to London Heathrow in March 2024:

Upgrading from economy to premium economy will cost $1,038, while going from economy to business class will set you back $2,889 – that’s more than double the price. To upgrade from premium economy to business, be prepared to fork out $1,851, which is still more than the difference between economy and premium economy.

Of course, with United Polaris business class, you’ll get an array of added benefits, such as lounge access, private pods for seats, premium dining options, and more. However, if the cost of upgrading is too steep for your budget, Premium Plus could be the better choice.

Get all the latest aviation news for North America here.

The bottom line

For those contemplating the upgrade, the decision hinges on personal preferences and travel priorities. The added cost of United Premium Plus is a small investment for passengers seeking a more comfortable and enjoyable journey, especially on long-haul flights.

The extra space, improved dining options, and dedicated services may well tip the scales in favor of upgrading for travelers who prioritize a touch of luxury without fully committing to the premium prices of business class. Ultimately, United Airlines Premium Plus beckons as a sweet spot for those who desire a taste of the high life without breaking the bank.

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What Is Project 2025, and Why Is Trump Disavowing It?

The Biden campaign has attacked Donald J. Trump’s ties to the conservative policy plan that would amass power in the executive branch, though it is not his official platform.

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By Simon J. Levien

Donald J. Trump has gone to great lengths to distance himself from Project 2025, a set of conservative policy proposals for a future Republican administration that has outraged Democrats. He has claimed he knows nothing about it or the people involved in creating it.

Mr. Trump himself was not behind the project. But some of his allies were.

The document, its origins and the interplay between it and the Trump campaign have made for one of the most hotly debated questions of the 2024 race.

Here is what to know about Project 2025, and who is behind it.

What is Project 2025?

Project 2025 was spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation and like-minded conservative groups before Mr. Trump officially entered the 2024 race. The Heritage Foundation is a think tank that has shaped the personnel and policies of Republican administrations since the Reagan presidency.

The project was intended as a buffet of options for the Trump administration or any other Republican presidency. It’s the latest installment in the Heritage Foundation’s Mandate for Leadership series, which has compiled conservative policy proposals every few years since 1981. But no previous study has been as sweeping in its recommendations — or as widely discussed.

Kevin Roberts, the head of the Heritage Foundation, which began putting together the latest document in 2022, said he thought the American government would embrace a more conservative era, one that he hoped Republicans would usher in.

“We are in the process of the second American Revolution,” Mr. Roberts said on Real America’s Voice, a right-wing cable channel, in early July, adding pointedly that the revolt “will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.”

A representative for Project 2025 said it did not speak for any candidate, adding that “it is ultimately up to that president, who we believe will be President Trump, to decide which recommendations to implement.”

What does Project 2025 propose?

Much of the plan’s nearly 900 pages detail extreme executive-branch overhauls. Among many recommendations, Project 2025 lays out plans for criminalizing pornography, disbanding the Commerce and Education departments, rejecting the idea of abortion as health care and shredding climate protections.

It calls out the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the National Weather Service, as “one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry.” And it backs deploying the military “to assist in arrest operations” along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Beyond the policy proposals, something else comes up over and over again in the document — Mr. Trump and the Trump administration, which are mentioned hundreds of times.

What are Trump’s ties to Project 2025?

Project 2025 is led by the Heritage Foundation. It does not directly come from Mr. Trump. But that’s only part of the story.

Portions of the plan were driven by people who were top advisers to Mr. Trump during his first term and would most likely serve in prominent roles if he wins in November.

Russell T. Vought, Mr. Trump’s former budget director, led a section of Project 2025 that dealt with executive orders. Mr. Vought is the policy director for the Republican National Convention, and the national party is controlled by Trump allies. The party on Monday adopted a new policy platform that reflect priorities laid out on the Trump campaign website. Another person involved in Project 2025 is John McEntee, a former White House personnel chief who began Mr. Trump’s systematic attempt to sweep out officials deemed to be disloyal in 2020.

Mr. Trump has recently gone to great lengths to distance himself from the project, even falsely claiming that he knows nothing about it or people involved in it.

Mr. Trump wrote in a post on his social media site on Friday that he knew nothing about Project 2025 but also that he disagreed with parts of it: “Some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal.” He did not specify which items he was talking about.

What are Trump’s plans for a second term?

The former president has been historically disengaged, even hostile, toward any type of transition planning for a possible second term.

But he has made no secret about his plans to gut civil-service protections, conduct the largest mass deportation effort in history, impose sweeping tariffs and target his enemies using presidential powers. His allies have developed a legal rationale to erase the Justice Department’s independence from the president, and several of his closest advisers are now vetting lawyers seen as more likely to embrace aggressive legal theories about the scope of his power .

Some of this, though not all of it, can be found in the Trump campaign’s own policy platform called Agenda47 . It is more sparse than Project 2025. And even though Agenda47 is his campaign’s official list of policy priorities, Mr. Trump himself rarely mentions Agenda47 by name on the campaign trail.

Mr. Trump won in 2016 in part by saying any number of things, some of them contradictory, about policy, letting different people hear what they wanted in his words. In keeping with that approach, the Republican Party platform released Monday presents a less-specific agenda he directly approved that he can point to. The platform reflects a softening on abortion — the issue he views as his biggest vulnerability after the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

How do the Trump campaign plans and Project 2025 differ, and overlap?

There are a few ways the two plans differ.

One is on abortion. Project 2025 takes an aggressive approach to curtailing abortion rights, stating that the federal Health and Human Services Department “should return to being known as the Department of Life” (it was never known by that name) and that the next conservative president “has a moral responsibility to lead the nation in restoring a culture of life in America again.” Agenda47, however, does not mention abortion once.

Mr. Trump’s public position on abortion has regularly shifted. When he ran in 2016, he pledged to install justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade. He called the ruling that overturned it “a great thing” at the presidential debate this year. He also said at the debate that abortion rights should be decided on a state-by-state basis.

Despite the differences, there are numerous similarities. One overlap: eroding the independence of the Justice Department. Mr. Trump has frequently criticized the legitimacy of the department’s investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Project 2025 argues that the department suffers from bureaucratic bloat and must be reined in, teeming with employees committed to a “radical liberal agenda.” On immigration, Mr. Trump has made no secret of his plans to hold the largest mass deportation effort in history. Project 2025, likewise, suggested the removal of any and all “immigration violators.”

The campaign and Project 2025 also share equal demands to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs and the “toxic normalization of transgenderism” as Project 2025 calls it. In many rallies, Mr. Trump asserts he will “keep men out of women’s sports.”

On international policy, Mr. Trump and Project 2025 both emphasize a protectionist outlook, often called “America First” policies by the Trump campaign. Sections in Project 2025 and in Agenda47 both suggest higher tariffs on competitors, and increasing competition with China.

One of Project 2025’s proposals to turn more federal jobs over to appointees loyal to the president mirrors a Trump-era policy. The back story: During Mr. Trump’s presidency, he issued an executive order making it easier to fire career officials and replace them with loyalists. Mr. Biden rescinded the order, known as Schedule F , but Mr. Trump has said he would reissue it if he wins a second term. Project 2025 also calls for Schedule F to be reinstated.

What are Democrats saying about Project 2025?

President Biden’s campaign and his supporters have yoked Project 2025 around Mr. Trump’s neck, repeatedly warning that it is his shadow platform and that it is evidence of an extreme second-term agenda. They have called it an authoritarian blueprint in an onslaught of news releases, social media posts and TV appearances.

In a rarity for an in-the-weeds policy memo, Project 2025 has made its way into the wider public, drawing condemnations on late-night shows, podcasts and awards programs. Since February, @BidenHQ , the campaign’s social media account, has posted about Project 2025 hundreds of times, associating it with Mr. Trump. The effort has received more engagement than most of the account’s posts, according to a Biden campaign official.

“Project 2025 should scare every single American,” Mr. Biden said in a statement. “It would give Trump limitless power over our daily lives.”

Late last month, John Oliver, the host of “Last Week Tonight,” dedicated a nearly 30-minute segment to criticizing Project 2025 and dissecting its dangers; it received over seven million views on YouTube. Taraji P. Henson, the actress and Biden campaign surrogate, encouraged people to vote against Republicans in a speech at the BET Awards by focusing on Project 2025.

Elected Democrats, particularly those on the left, have used the project to highlight the dangers of a second Trump term. Liberal members of Congress like Ayanna S. Pressley of Massachusetts have taken to news programs and congressional hearings to highlight what they say is Mr. Trump’s unspoken platform.

At a June 11 hearing , Ms. Pressley called Project 2025 “a far-right manifesto” that would “destroy the federal government as we know it.”

What are Trump’s aides and other Republicans saying about Project 2025?

Last year, after Project 2025 gained traction in the media and the Biden campaign incorporated it as a core part of its messaging, top Trump campaign officials issued a statement.

Mr. Trump’s top aides, Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, said in a December statement that unless indicated by campaign staff or the former president directly, “no aspect of future presidential staffing or policy announcements should be deemed official.”

Ms. Wiles and Mr. LaCivita have been continually frustrated with press coverage of Project 2025. They see much of it as potentially damaging in a general election. They are especially anxious about anything to do with restrictions on abortion, a sign that Mr. Trump is trying to appear more moderate on the issue as his focus shifts from the G.O.P. primary concerns of his base to the broader electorate in November.

Following the overturning of Roe, a decision put in place by conservative justices he appointed, Mr. Trump has grown ever more convinced that hard-line abortion restrictions are electoral poison. The new official Republican Party platform, which Mr. Trump directly approved, significantly waters down the abortion section compared with the 2016 and 2020 G.O.P. platform.

Beyond the abortion issue, many conservatives do not contest the radical nature of Project 2025, and they embrace the publicity.

Steve Bannon, a close Trump ally, told ABC News in late June, before he reported to federal prison to begin a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress, that Project 2025 would “take apart the administrative state brick by brick” as he brandished a copy of the report.

Michael Gold and Neil Vigdor contributed reporting.

Simon J. Levien is a Times political reporter covering the 2024 elections and a member of the 2024-25 Times Fellowship class, a program for journalists early in their careers. More about Simon J. Levien

Keep Up With the 2024 Election

The presidential election is 118 days away . Here’s our guide to the run-up to Election Day.

Tracking the Polls. The state of the race, according to polling data.

Campaign Tracker. How the candidates are spending their time on the campaign trail.

Can Democrats Replace Biden? While it is possible, it could lead to political upheaval.

Trump’s 2025 Plans. Trump is preparing to radically reshape the government.

Paying For United Airlines Travel Certificates

• Last updated Jul 15, 2024
• Difficulty Advanced

• Category Travel

United Airlines offers two types of travel credits: future flight credits and travel certificates. Future flight credits are issued when a customer voluntarily cancels or changes an eligible flight to a cheaper alternative. These credits can be used for travel on United, United Express, and United partner-operated flights, as well as for certain extras such as seat assignments. They expire 12 months after being issued and are not transferable. On the other hand, travel certificates are provided when a customer voluntarily gives up their seat on an overbooked flight or as a gesture of goodwill. These certificates can be redeemed for travel on United, United Express, and partner-operated flights, as well as for certain extra fees. They also expire 12 months after issuance and cannot be transferred or sold, but they can be used by anyone as long as the travel is booked by the original certificate holder.

What You'll Learn

Future flight credits for eligible flight cancellations/changes, travel certificates for giving up your seat/goodwill gestures, using travel credits online, tracking your united travel credits, travel credit expiry dates.

If you voluntarily cancel or change an eligible United Airlines flight to a cheaper alternative, you will be issued a future flight credit. These credits can be used toward travel on United, United Express, and United partner-operated flights purchased on the United website or the United app. They can also be used to purchase extras such as Basic Economy seat assignments and Economy Plus seating.

Future flight credits are only valid for 12 months after the date they are issued, so be sure to make a note of the expiry date. They are also non-transferable and can only be used by the person the credit was issued to. However, if your credit was issued for a flight purchased on or before August 31, 2021, it can be used by anyone.

To identify your future flight credits, you will need the confirmation number of your original ticket. You can also find this confirmation number under ticket receipts in your MileagePlus account if you are a member. To redeem your credit, simply search and select your flight as usual, and then choose the travel credit as your payment option at checkout.

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United Airlines offers two types of travel credits: future flight credits and travel certificates. Travel certificates are given when a customer voluntarily gives up their seat on a flight or as a gesture of goodwill. For example, if a flight is overbooked and you agree to take a later flight, you will receive a travel certificate as compensation. These are sometimes referred to as electronic travel certificates (ETCs).

You can redeem your travel certificate for travel on United, United Express, and United partner-operated flights booked via the United website or app. Travel certificates can also be used for certain extra fees such as basic economy seat assignments, economy plus seating, and preferred seat selection. However, you cannot use travel certificates in conjunction with MileagePlus awards or tour packages. This means you cannot pay the taxes and fees on award tickets with travel certificates.

Travel certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. Travel must be booked before the expiry date, but you can apply a travel certificate to travel occurring after the expiry date as long as you book the ticket before it expires. Travel certificates are not transferable, cannot be sold, and can only be used by the original certificate holder.

To check your travel certificate, log in to your MileagePlus account and go to the "Wallet" section under the "My United" tab. If you are not a MileagePlus member, you can check your travel certificate on the United website using the confirmation number or PIN. If you don't have either of these, you can enter the email address associated with your United travel to pull up any travel credits linked to that email address.

To redeem your travel certificate, book your flight as usual on the United website or app. At checkout, choose the travel certificate as your payment option. If you are a MileagePlus member, your travel credits should appear automatically. If not, you can look up your credits directly in checkout using the confirmation number, PIN, or email address. Select the travel credit you wish to use and finish checking out.

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United Airlines issues two types of travel credits: future flight credits and travel certificates. Both can be used to book new travel, but there are some important differences to note.

Future flight credits

If you voluntarily cancel or change an eligible flight to a cheaper alternative, United will issue you a future flight credit. These can be used towards travel on United, United Express, and United partner-operated flights purchased on the United website or app. They can also be used to purchase extras such as Basic Economy seat assignments and Economy Plus seating.

Future flight credits expire 12 months after they are issued, so be sure to use them before that time. They are not transferable and can only be used by the person the credit was issued to. However, if your credit was issued for a flight purchased on or before August 31, 2021, it can be used by anyone.

Travel certificates

United Airlines issues travel certificates if you voluntarily give up your seat on a flight or as a gesture of goodwill (e.g. if a flight is overbooked and you agree to take a later flight). Travel certificates can be used for travel on United, United Express, and United partner-operated flights booked via the United website or app. They can also be used for certain extra fees such as Basic Economy seat assignments, Economy Plus seating, and preferred seat selection. However, they cannot be used in conjunction with MileagePlus awards or tour packages.

Travel certificates expire 12 months after they are issued and travel must be booked before this expiry date. Travel certificates are not transferable and cannot be sold, but they can be used by anyone as long as the travel is booked by the original certificate holder.

How to redeem your travel credits

The most convenient way to redeem your travel credit is online at united.com or via the United app. To do this, search and select your flight as usual. At checkout, choose the travel credit as your payment option. If you are a MileagePlus member, your travel credits should appear automatically. If you are not a member or your travel credits don’t appear, you can look them up directly in checkout using the confirmation number, PIN, or your email address.

Select the travel credit(s) you wish to use and finish checking out. Multiple travel credits can be applied to one reservation as long as they are of the same type. Any remaining credit left after applying a travel certificate can be used in the future using the same PIN number as long as it is before the expiration date.

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Step 1: Identify the Type of Credit

First, determine whether you have a future flight credit or a travel certificate. Future flight credits are typically issued when you voluntarily cancel or change an eligible United flight to a cheaper option. On the other hand, travel certificates are provided when you voluntarily give up your seat on an overbooked flight or as a gesture of goodwill from United.

Step 2: Locate the Relevant Information

For future flight credits, you'll need the confirmation number from your original ticket. This six-character identifier can be found on your ticket receipts or in your MileagePlus account if you're a member. For travel certificates, you will receive a PIN via email when the certificate is issued.

Step 3: Check Your Credit Balance

If you're a MileagePlus member, tracking your travel credits is simple. Log in to your MileagePlus account and navigate to the My United tab. Here, you'll find your wallet, which will display your available travel credits. If you're not a MileagePlus member, you can still check your credit balance on United's website. Visit the United website and enter your confirmation number or PIN to access your travel credit information.

Step 4: Monitor Expiry Dates

Both future flight credits and travel certificates have expiry dates. Future flight credits expire 12 months after the date they are issued, while travel certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. Make sure to keep track of these dates to ensure you utilise your credits before they expire.

Step 5: Consider Credit Combinations

If you have multiple travel credits, you can combine them for a single booking, but there are some restrictions. You can only combine credits of the same type, so future flight credits cannot be mixed with travel certificates. Additionally, United allows up to 10 ETCs to be combined, and the expiration date of the new combined certificate may be updated to 24 months from the date the oldest ETC was issued.

By following these steps, you can effectively track and manage your United travel credits, ensuring you utilise them efficiently for your future travel plans.

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United Airlines offers two types of travel credits: future flight credits and travel certificates. The expiry dates for these credits differ, so it's important to take note of the specific conditions associated with each.

Future flight credits are typically valid for 12 months from the original ticket issue date. This means that any flights purchased with these credits must be flown by the expiry date. For return flights, the departure flight must occur by the expiry date. It's important to note that future flight credits are not transferable and can only be used by the person to whom they were issued. However, there is an exception for credits issued for flights purchased on or before August 31, 2021, which can be used by anyone.

On the other hand, travel certificates, also known as Electronic Travel Certificates (ETCs), are valid for 24 months from the issue date. Travel must be booked by the expiry date, but it can occur after the expiry date as long as it is booked beforehand. Travel certificates are also non-transferable and cannot be sold, but they can be used by anyone as long as the travel is booked by the original certificate holder.

It's worth noting that United also offers a third type of travel credit through its TravelBank. These credits are purchased directly by customers and are not issued as compensation for flight cancellations or service lapses. TravelBank credits have a validity of 5 years after the last activity.

When it comes to redeeming travel credits, it's recommended to use the ones that are expiring soonest first. Additionally, some sources suggest that it is possible to extend the expiry date of future flight credits by booking a new ticket using the credit and then cancelling it within 24 to 72 hours, resulting in the generation of a new credit with an extended expiry date. However, this method may not always work, and there is a risk of incurring cancellation fees.

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Frequently asked questions.

United Airlines issues travel certificates when customers voluntarily give up their seats on a flight or as a gesture of goodwill. For example, if a flight is overbooked and a passenger agrees to take a later flight, they will be given a travel certificate as compensation.

You can get a United Airlines travel certificate by volunteering to be bumped from an overbooked flight or as a gesture of goodwill from the airline.

You can redeem your travel certificate for travel on United, United Express, and United partner-operated flights booked via the United website or app. You can also use them for certain extra fees such as seat assignments. Travel certificates cannot be used in conjunction with MileagePlus awards or tour packages.

United Airlines travel certificates expire 12 months after they are issued. Travel must be booked before this date, but you can travel after the expiry date as long as you book the ticket in time.

Travel certificates are not transferable and cannot be sold. However, they can be used by anyone as long as the travel is booked by the original certificate holder.

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Who is JD Vance? What to know about Donald Trump's VP pick

Former President Donald Trump  tapped J.D. Vance  to be his running mate Monday at the Republican National Convention, catapulting the Ohio GOP senator even more into the national spotlight.

Here’s what you need to know about Vance:

More: Trump made MAGA happen. JD Vance represents those who will inherit it

Where is JD Vance from?

Vance grew up in Jackson, Kentucky and Middletown, Ohio. He described a childhood consumed by poverty and abuse in his best-selling 2016 memoir , "Hillbilly Elegy." Vance's mother struggled with drug addiction, so he spent many of his formative years with his grandmother – known to him as Mamaw.

How old is JD Vance?

Vance is 39. If elected, he would be the youngest vice president since Richard Nixon. His birthday is Aug. 2, 1984.

More: Vice presidential contender has multiple ties to Columbus

Did JD Vance serve in the military?

Vance joined the Marines Corps after high school and served as a public affairs marine in Iraq.

Is JD Vance married?

Vance's wife, Usha Vance, is a litigator for a law firm based in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The pair met as students at Yale Law School and got married in 2014, one year after they graduated.

The couple has three young children: Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel.

Where does JD Vance live?

Vance and his family live in the East Walnut Hills neighborhood of Cincinnati. The senator also bought a $1.5 million home in Alexandria, Virginia, last year, Politico reported .

How long has JD Vance been in politics?

Vance was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022 after defeating former Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan for an open seat in Ohio.

What’s the history between Vance and Trump?

Vance openly criticized Trump in 2016 as pundits used his memoir to explain the former president's popularity with white, rural voters. He previously suggested Trump could be "America’s Hitler," called him noxious and compared him to an opioid.

But Vance changed his tune as he geared up for his 2022 Senate run, deleting controversial tweets and crediting Trump for the work he did in office. He secured Trump's endorsement in a chaotic Republican Senate primary and is now one of the former president's most loyal allies.

JD Vance didn't vote for Donald Trump in 2016

In one NPR interview , he joked that he would rather write his dog on the ballot than vote for Trump or Hillary Clinton.

"I think that I'm going to vote third party because I can't stomach Trump," the "Hillbilly Elegy" author said at the time. "I think that he's noxious and is leading the white working class to a very dark place."

What are Vance's policy positions?

Vance personifies what's known as the New Right , a populist conservatism that rejects many traditional Republican views. He supports tariffs on trade and opposes U.S. intervention in foreign conflicts, particularly the war between Russia and Ukraine. He's also spoken out against potential cuts to Social Security.

Who is JD Vance? Vice presidential candidate has multiple ties to Columbus

Some of Vance's work in the Senate has been bipartisan. He introduced a rail safety bill with Sen. Sherrod Brown after the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. He also worked with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren on legislation to hold executives accountable for failed banks.

At the same time, many of his other bills reflect conservative views. For example, Vance introduced legislation to ban gender-affirming care for minors and a bill to eliminate diversity programs in the federal government.

Where does JD Vance stand on abortion?

Vance opposes abortion and often says the government should find ways to encourage people to have children.

Like other Republicans, however, Vance changed how he discusses the issue after Ohio and other states voted in favor of abortion access last year. In a December CNN interview , he said Republicans must "accept that people do not want blanket abortion bans."

More recently, he told Meet the Press that he supports access to the abortion drug mifepristone.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

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More than 3 million pass through US airport security in a day for the first time as travel surges

A traveler walks through the departure area as airline catering workers who are employed by Gate Gourmet picket with their supporters, calling for a new union contract with raises and affordable health insurance, Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at Miami International Airport in Miami. A long Fourth of July holiday weekend is expected to create new travel records. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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More than 3 million people passed through U.S. airport security on Sunday, the first time that number of passengers have been screened in a single day as travel surges , according to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.

The record, which was widely predicted to happen at some point over the July Four holiday weekend, topped the June 23 mark of more than 2.99 million screened passengers. Eight of the 10 busiest days in TSA’s history have come this year as the number of travelers tops pre-pandemic levels.

TSA was created after the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and replaced a collection of private security companies that were hired by airlines. The agency operates under the Department of Homeland Security, which said that agents on Sunday checked 35 passengers every second.

While Americans continue to grapple with inflation, travel costs including airline tickets and hotel prices have eased significantly from a year ago. Hotel rooms were 1.2% cheaper in May compared with a year ago, according to recent government inflation data. Those costs have been trending lower since the beginning of the year.

While most U.S. airlines lost money in the first quarter — traditionally the weakest time of year for travel — they were all expecting a summer of full planes.

This spring, American and Southwest said they expected solid second quarter profits. They joined Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in giving an upbeat outlook for the April-through-June period, which includes the start of peak season for carriers.

Delta reports its second-quarter earnings on Thursday, with analysts predicting sales of $15.5 billion, nearly $1 billion more than the same period a year ago. Next week, United and American issue their quarterly results, with Wall Street forecasting higher revenue from a year ago for both carriers.

Increasingly full planes since the pandemic shut travel down four years ago has brought some downside for airlines: complaints .

The Transportation Department said last week that it received nearly 97,000 complaints in 2023, up from about 86,000 the year before. The department said there were so many complaints that it took until July to sort through the filings and compile the figures.

That’s the highest number of complaints about airlines since 2020, when airlines were slow to give customers refunds after the coronavirus pandemic shut down air travel.

The Transportation Department said the increase in complaints was partly the result of more travelers knowing about their rights and the ability to file a complaint. Airlines receive many more complaints from travelers who don’t know how or don’t bother to complain to the government, but the carriers don’t release those numbers.

Associated Press Airlines Writer David Koenig contributed to this story.

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7 Best Water Parks in the United States To Visit on Your Next Trip

Evan massey | jul 15, 2024.

In the middle of the summer, there are very few better things to do than find a good place to enjoy cool and refreshing water.

Across the United States, there are a plethora of fun water parks to visit. However, there are some that stand out above the rest.

Let's take a look at the seven best water parks in the United States that you should plan to visit on your next trip.

7. Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort in New Braunfels, Texas

To start off, there is a 3,600-foot lazy river to enjoy that has waterfalls, waves, and rapids. That alone makes this a must-visit water park. However, there are a ton of water rides, water coasters, and The Falls, which is one of the longest water park rides in the world.

6. Water World in Federal Heights, Colorado

The park spans 70 acres, which makes it rank among the biggest waterparks in the nation. Among the biggest ride attractions are the Alpine Springs Express Gondola and Warp Speed. If you're looking for a place that offers tall and fast water rides and slides, this is the place for you.

5. Dollywood's Splash Country in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Nestled into the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Dollywood's Splash Country offers more than 23 slides and rides for the entire family. A big attraction is Raging River Rapids, a 700-foot family ride on a raft for up to five people. There are also more calm places to enjoy like The Cascades in the park.

4. Holiday World and Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana

Next up, Santa Claus, Indiana is not a town that stands out on a map of the United States. Indiana, as a state, is not a common destination location. However, Holiday World and Splashin' Safari has plenty of great attractions, with the biggest being a ride called Mammoth that actually takes up more than three acres.

3. Island H20 Water Park in Kissimmee, Florida

Florida is a top-notch vacation destination already. Why not plan a trip to the H20 Water Park while you're on your next vacation to the Sunshine State? The park offers high-speed rafting, six-lane racing, a beautiful lazy river, and more.

2. Aquatica Orland in Orland, Florida

Aquatica Orlando is actually located in SeaWorld, the popular destination for ocean life lovers. The main attraction for the park is the Reef Plunge, a tube slide that goes through a pool of dolphins. Why not plan a trip to visit SeaWorld and then cool off at Aquatica Orlando?

1. Splashway Waterpark in Sheridan, Texas

Finallly, the Splashway Waterpark deserves to come in at No. 1 on this list. It has arguably the best lazy river in the nation, winding throughout park. There are many rides and pools to enjoy, with two rides to take note of being Midnight Storm and Tubular Tornado.

If you want to visit the best waterpark in the nation, this is the place for you.

EVAN MASSEY