United Codes

[MAGGIED]

Anyone have any suggestions where I might find coupons or codes - if they exist - for United Airlines. We are traveling from Buffalo NY to Glasgow Scotland May 9 - May 18, 2013... right now the fares are about $1000 each (there will be 4 of us traveling) its a surprise for my husband for his 50th birthday- was hoping to reduce that $4000 purchase a little... thanks

Wendy

 

[rwdavis2]

I don't think United does codes or coupons. There's no reason to since most planes are full these days. The price you see is it.

The prices may change and I've read that Tuesdays/Wednesday may show lower prices.

 

[levenhopper]

Signing up for the United credit card will get you free bag fees, priority security and boarding, and 50,000 frequent flyer miles. It's $95/year (first year free)...but for me, the free baggage fees are worth it.

 

[rwdavis2]

Signing up for the United credit card will get you free bag fees, priority security and boarding, and 50,000 frequent flyer miles. It's $95/year (first year free)...but for me, the free baggage fees are worth it.

I forgot about the CC. The 50K miles is new. Only 25K when I signed up. To get the full number of miles you have to use it first. 25K is usually enough for 1 free ticket.

 

[DebbieB]

I forgot about the CC. The 50K miles is new. Only 25K when I signed up. To get the full number of miles you have to use it first. 25K is usually enough for 1 free ticket.

It's hard to get a ticket for 25K these days. International starts at 30K.

You get 1 free bag on international automatically.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It's hard to get a ticket for 25K these days. International starts at 30K.

You get 1 free bag on international automatically.

I fly using FF miles quite often on UA and they are one of the better airlines for availability of 25,000 domestic RT tickets. Sometimes you can even get them at the last minute. You can also book one way awards which is great if you might need to change one leg of your trip.

International UA saver awards from the US to Europe are 30,000 miles each way.

OP - Around $1,000 for a RT trip from the US to Europe is about the norm these days. UA doesn't offer discount coupons or codes.

 

[MAGGIED]

Thanks everyone... I will look into the CC.... it might be worth it just for the baggage. Can you use points to upgrades seats with United?

 

[rwdavis2]

Thanks everyone... I will look into the CC.... it might be worth it just for the baggage. Can you use points to upgrades seats with United?

Yes you can upgrade. Usually a combination of points and $$. For example, one way from Los Angeles to Baltimore upgrade from Economy Plus to First Class was 15,000 points and $75. Although with Economy Plus in an exit row you get far more legroom than first class.

 

[DebbieB]

Thanks everyone... I will look into the CC.... it might be worth it just for the baggage. Can you use points to upgrades seats with United?

Keep in mind on international you get 1 free bag automatically. If they work like Delta, having the cc does not give you a free second bag.

 

[Tara]

I fly using FF miles quite often on UA and they are one of the better airlines for availability of 25,000 domestic RT tickets. Sometimes you can even get them at the last minute. You can also book one way awards which is great if you might need to change one leg of your trip.

International UA saver awards from the US to Europe are 30,000 miles each way.

OP - Around $1,000 for a RT trip from the US to Europe is about the norm these days. UA doesn't offer discount coupons or codes.

Ha, yes, this can be true, but it's a mixed bag. I looked at using miles to fly from Albany to Alabama in May when my sister had her baby and couldn't get a ticket for fewer than 50,000 miles (bad use of miles). But then I booked a ticket to Buenos Aires for Thanksgiving week for 60,000 miles! Their system is so large thanks to the Continental merger that I have a lot more luck these days.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Yes you can upgrade. Usually a combination of points and $$. For example, one way from Los Angeles to Baltimore upgrade from Economy Plus to First Class was 15,000 points and $75. Although with Economy Plus in an exit row you get far more legroom than first class.

Upgrading depends on whether or not you have purchased an upgradable fare. Your chances are poor to even be offered a chance to buy an upgrade on a domestic United flight unless you are an elite frequent flyer. Sometimes you can upgrade only using miles, sometimes a co-pay is required. Again, depends on your fare class.

http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/awards/upgrade/mua.aspx

You definitely do not always get more legroom in an E+ exit row seat (which will almost always be filled with elite FFs anyway) than a lot of first or business class seats. For example on a UA 777-200, business has a 76" seat pitch, first has a 78" pitch, while E+ has 34" (add a few inches for exit row). Plus the higher class seats are 2" wider than E+.