Hey there! I actually found out about United’s military discounts the hard way — after I’d already booked a flight without realizing they offered them. My husband is in the military, and a couple of years ago, we were flying from San Diego to Washington, D.C., to visit family. I booked our tickets online through a third-party site because I thought it would be cheaper, but later, a friend mentioned that United has its own military fares and perks if you book directly through them.
Curious (and a little annoyed with myself), I called United’s customer service to ask about it. The representative was super friendly and explained that United does offer discounted fares for active-duty military members and sometimes for their dependents, but you have to book directly with United — either through their website or by calling. They also mentioned that military travelers get a few extra benefits, like free checked bags and priority boarding, which can really make a difference when you’re carrying gear or traveling with family.
Since then, I’ve always gone straight to United’s site when booking flights for my husband or when we’re traveling together. I’ve even used their app to verify his military status through ID.me, which made the process really smooth. The discounts aren’t always huge, but the extra perks like baggage allowances and flexibility have saved us both money and stress.
So, yes — United definitely offers military discounts, but you have to know where to look. If you’re eligible, it’s totally worth booking directly with them. I learned that lesson the hard way, but it’s made our travels much easier ever since.
