United Airlines military and veteran discount

United gives active duty members 5 percent off the base fare on select United flights booked online or in its app, plus free checked bags and pre-boarding. Veterans do not get the fare discount, but they can get up to $150 off United Vacations flight and hotel packages.

Veterans: Limited.

Veterans qualify only for the United Vacations package discount of up to $150. United's fare discount, free bags and pre-boarding are for active duty, and its benefits list also covers members discharged within 7 days of travel.

Discount: 5 percent off the published base fare on select United-operated flights for active duty, free checked bags for active duty, and up to $150 off United Vacations flight and hotel packages for active duty and veteransThe United Vacations military discount is capped at $150 per reservation, based on 3 percent off the hotel portion.
Where: Online, App
How to verify: United, through its partner ID Dataweb, in your MileagePlus account; United Vacations reviews service documents by email
Checked on: October 2, 2026Against United Airlines' own page (opens in a new tab)

Go to United Airlines' military discount page (opens in a new tab)

Who qualifies

Active duty members of all six branches qualify for the fare discount, and Guard and Reserve members on active orders are listed for United's military benefits. Veterans, retirees and their travel companions are named only for the United Vacations package discount.

VeteransLimitedVeterans qualify only for the United Vacations package discount of up to $150. United's fare discount, free bags and pre-boarding are for active duty, and its benefits list also covers members discharged within 7 days of travel.
Active dutyYesAll six branches qualify for the 5 percent fare discount. Service academy cadets and midshipmen, and Public Health Service and NOAA officers, are listed for United's other military benefits.
National Guard and ReserveLimitedReserve and National Guard members on active orders are listed for United's military benefits. The fare discount names active duty only.
RetireesLimitedUnited Vacations accepts retirement orders or a retirement card for its package discount. United's fare discount, free bags and pre-boarding name active duty only.
Spouse of active dutyLimitedSpouses and other dependents get the fare discount only when traveling on the same record as the active duty member.
Spouse of a veteranLimitedUnited Vacations extends the package discount to traveling companions on the veteran's reservation.
DependentsLimitedUp to 8 dependents get the fare discount when traveling on the active duty member's record.

Not stated by United Airlines: veterans rated 100 percent disabled, surviving spouse, Gold Star family and caregivers.

Proof and verification

United Airlines checks military status through United, through its partner ID Dataweb, in your MileagePlus account; United Vacations reviews service documents by email.

Accepted proof: If prompted, a pay statement (LES) from the last 90 days or orders issued within the past year, showing your name, branch and current status. For United Vacations: a redacted DD214 or NGB 22, retirement orders, relocation orders or a VA statement of service. Veterans also include a veteran or retirement card.DD214: your discharge papers from active duty. NGB22: your National Guard separation record.
How long it takes: United does not publish a review time for MileagePlus verification. United Vacations sends a personal promo code within 1 to 2 business days.
At the register: United lists active military members in its pre-boarding group but does not say gate staff check military ID.
Without a smartphone: Verification and fare booking happen on united.com or the United app. United Vacations works by email. United does not describe a phone route for the fare discount.
Recently separated: United's military benefits cover members discharged within 7 days of scheduled travel. After that, veterans qualify only for the United Vacations package discount.
Privacy: ID Dataweb checks your details against data sources and may ask for an LES or orders. United Vacations asks for a service document by email, with the Social Security number blacked out.
Verifying again: Every year. United's verification lasts one year from approval. United Vacations codes are one-time use and valid for one year.

See every way to prove you are a veteran

Based on sources 1, 2 and 3.

Where it works

The fare discount works on united.com and the United app after you verify, while the United Vacations code comes by email and is entered when you book a package.

Online5 percent off select fares for active duty; up to $150 off United Vacations packagesAvailableSign in to MileagePlus, choose Book a flight, then select Military Discount under Choose your program. For United Vacations, enter the personal promo code it emails you.
App5 percent off select fares for active dutyAvailableSign in to MileagePlus in the United app, tap Book Flight and select Military Discount.

What is excluded and the limits

The fare discount applies only to flights that start in the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Canada and are fully operated by United or United Express.
Basic Economy and special promotional fares are not eligible, and taxes, fees and carrier international surcharges are not discounted.
The United Vacations code covers air and hotel packages to international or Hawaii destinations only, with a $1,000 minimum, a 3-night stay and no multi-stop bookings.
Military bag benefits apply only on United and United Express flights. If part of the trip is on another airline, including Star Alliance partners, they do not apply.

Spending cap: At 5 percent, the $150.00 per-order limit is reached after $3,000.00 of eligible purchases.
Code rules: No public promo code. Active duty verify in MileagePlus and choose Military Discount when booking. United Vacations emails a one-time personal promo code that is valid for one year.

The cheapest way to buy United Airlines as a veteran

The military discount is not always the lowest price. Compare it with these before you buy.

Five percent off a hypothetical $400 base fare saves $20, and taxes are not discounted, so a public sale fare can beat it. For active duty on a personal trip, three free 70-pound bags can be worth more than the fare discount. For veterans, the United Vacations code takes 3 percent off the hotel portion, so a $2,000 hotel portion saves $60.

United's fare discount cannot be combined with other travel discount certificates, discounted fares or United Vacations discounts. The United Vacations code cannot be combined with another promo code or used with a price match, but United Vacations says it combines with its MileagePlus bonus mile program.

Exchange availability was not confirmed. Do not assume the same product or offer is available there.

No dated military fare sale was found on United's pages. United Vacations codes are valid for booking and travel for one year from the date they are sent.

How United Airlines compares

Military discounts at similar brands, from our checked data.

Compare similar brands
Brand	Rate	Cap	Veterans	Verifier	Spouse of a veteran	Where
United Airlines	5 percent off the published base fare on select United-operated flights for active duty, free checked bags for active duty, and up to $150 off United Vacations flight and hotel packages for active duty and veterans	The United Vacations military discount is capped at $150 per reservation, based on 3 percent off the hotel portion.	Limited: Veterans qualify only for the United Vacations package discount of up to $150	United, through its partner ID Dataweb, in your MileagePlus account; United Vacations reviews service documents by email	Limited	Online, App
Avis	Up to 35 percent off the time and mileage charges of Pay Now rates. Avis' WeSalute+ partner page and coupon table still list up to 25 percent off base rates	No cap confirmed	Yes	WeSalute+ enrollment, which gives you an Avis discount number	Yes	Online
Enterprise Rent-A-Car	5 percent off the base rate for government leisure travel	No cap confirmed	Yes	Enterprise rental staff	Not stated by Enterprise Rent-A-Car	Online, In store
Great Wolf Lodge	Up to 40 percent off the room rate; the discount varies by date	No cap confirmed	Yes	ID.me, from the ID.me button on each lodge's Howling Heroes page	Not stated by Great Wolf Lodge	Online
American Airlines	No set fare discount stated. Active duty get up to 3 free checked bags on personal trips and up to 5 on orders	No cap confirmed	Limited: American points veterans to vacation savings through a WeSalute+ subscription	Military ID at check-in for active duty; WeSalute+ for veteran vacation savings	Limited	Phone

If the discount does not work

Military Discount option does not appear

Verify your active duty status in your MileagePlus profile first. If your status or branch is not on the form, United says you are not eligible.

No discount shown on a flight

Only select flights fully operated by United or United Express and starting in the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Canada qualify. Basic Economy and promotional fares are excluded.

Family member booking without the service member

The active duty account holder must be on the itinerary. Dependents get the discount only on the same record.

Charged for bags on a partner flight

Military bag benefits apply only on United and United Express flights. If part of the trip is on another airline, they do not apply.

No military email address for United Vacations

United Vacations asks for the request to come from a military mailbox and does not describe another route. Its page asks veterans to include a veteran or retirement card with a service document.

Changes to this discount

October 2, 2026: First checked October 2, 2026

Questions about the United Airlines military discount

Does United have a military discount for veterans?

Only through United Vacations. Veterans can get up to $150 off a flight and hotel package. United's 5 percent fare discount, free bags and pre-boarding are for active duty.

How much is the United active duty discount?

5 percent off the published base fare on select United-operated flights booked on united.com or the United app. Taxes and fees are not discounted.

How many free bags do active duty get on United?

Three bags up to 70 pounds each on personal trips, and five bags up to 100 pounds each on military orders. Dependents on the same reservation share the allowance.

How do veterans get the United Vacations discount?

Email United Vacations a service document, such as a redacted DD214, retirement orders or a VA statement of service, with your branch. It sends a one-time personal code within 1 to 2 business days.

Can veterans board early on United?

United's pre-boarding group lists active military members. Veterans are not listed.

Sources

United military benefits and discounts (opens in a new tab). Retrieved October 2, 2026.
United military leisure discount verification FAQs (opens in a new tab). Retrieved October 2, 2026.
United Vacations military travel discounts (opens in a new tab). Retrieved October 2, 2026.
United checked bags and military bag policy (opens in a new tab). Retrieved October 2, 2026.
United boarding process (opens in a new tab). Retrieved October 2, 2026.

Checked on October 2, 2026.