If you’re looking to fly United Airlines and book flights through their website, it can be a little bit confusing at first. There are several steps involved in booking flights, and some of them might not make sense to you if you’ve never used the website before. This guide on how to book United Airlines flights will walk you through the entire process and explain each step so that you can get the best deals possible on your future flights with the airline!
Step 1) Research Your Airline Options for Flight
United Airlines is one of America’s largest and most popular airlines. They are especially known for their regular flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to major destinations in Asia, Australia, South America, Europe and Mexico. It is always important to do your research when it comes to airline ticket purchases because prices can vary significantly based on departure dates, times and carriers. When planning an international trip it may be best to book a round-trip ticket instead of booking single legs of a journey because it could save you money since prices may increase during peak travel times such as holidays or during school breaks. If you are flying with United Airlines, check out our tips below that will help you get even better deals!
Step 2) Sign Up for Email Notifications (Before People Talk About Their Lucky Finds!)
Have you ever been searching for flights online, only to discover that it’s all sold out? And, then you see your friend’s Facebook post saying they scored a round-trip ticket somewhere amazing for less than $400? Chances are their flight is still available. The reason they were able to snag a deal while you missed out is because they signed up for email notifications on United Airlines website. If you do not sign up for emails, though, or keep checking manually throughout the day in hopes of getting lucky, your best bet is going to be following deals sites like Flyer Talk and Airfare Watchdog on social media.
Step 3) Be on the Lookout for Last Minute Sales
Don’t book your tickets too early. While it might seem like a great idea to lock in airfare when you know you’re going on vacation, doing so can cause you to miss out on last minute sales. If a flight is available for $400, but United Airlines notices that passengers haven’t booked for it yet, they may bump up the fare. They want as many people as possible taking off from JFK during a snowstorm, so will boost prices if demand appears low. This goes for both domestic and international flights, so don’t be afraid of taking advantage of good prices—just make sure you book soon enough that you still have time left before your trip.
Step 4) Use Promo Codes at Checkout
If you’re shopping for flights, one way to save is by using promo codes at checkout. Many of United Air flight deals offer $0-to-$75 savings if you use a certain code at checkout. For example, right now, search Google Flights for a ticket from New York City (JFK) to San Francisco (SFO). Select May 30 as your departure date and Jun 6 as your return date. Go ahead and enter some dates that work best for you—you don’t have to buy tickets today. For flights out of JFK, this airlines is offering United airlines tickets starting at $452; or select Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) for a little more than $600 round trip per person.
Step 5) Know When to Buy Round trip vs. One Way Tickets
The first rule of buying United Airlines tickets is to know if you’re buying a round-trip or one-way ticket. Generally, it’s more economical to buy a round trip ticket than a one way. The exception would be if you were traveling very long distances and wanted flexibility in your dates or destinations. If you know your travel plans up front, it will make it easier for you to save money and be rewarded with United frequent flyer miles. For example, New York City – Los Angeles roundtrip flights can cost around $500 each direction when purchased separately but are half that amount (per person) if purchased as part of a bundle with another flight within seven days of travel time.
Step 6) Know How Much Flexibility You Need in Flight Times/Date
While there are tools out there that can help you search by flight times, they aren’t very flexible. Additionally, if you have set a specific budget or timeframe for your trip, many of these methods won’t work. For example, if you’re planning a last-minute trip for $500 and need it to be in November for your sister’s wedding then using any automated flight-search sites will not suffice as they tend not to allow much flexibility in flight times and/or dates. Instead of opting for one of these simple systems it’s often better (and cheaper) to book directly through United Airlines Official website since their prices tend to be cheaper than other sites but also have more flexible booking options.
Step 7) Use Airport Lounges Before/After Your Flights
When you land, you probably want to get into your destination city as quickly as possible, which makes lounges a bit tricky. But when you’re flying United Airlines first class, business class or premium economy on an international flight, it’s a good idea to stop by United Clubs at airports before and after your flights. You’ll have access to showers and bathroom facilities—in addition to snacks and drinks—and some offer power outlets for laptops (take advantage of that!). Plus, these are some of our favorite spots for spotting celebrities! Keep in mind that each lounge requires a different access code for members—so make sure you grab it from your travel agent before takeoff! After landing in your destination city, check if there’s a nearby lounge with wifi.
Step 8) Upgrade Your Seats When Flying Coach
United Airlines makes seat upgrades a little more challenging than most airlines, but it’s worth putting in some effort because it can save you money. If you know your travel dates and departure city, but haven’t booked your flight yet, United has a handy Seats Upgrade page that lets you buy upgrades for flights on any airline for a set number of miles (from 7 to 16) or contact number for united airlines. You’ll be able to view prices for all available seats and choose one at check-out. Be sure to pick out your seat when booking your flight, because United will let you reserve specific seats only up until 24 hours before departure.
Step 9) Have An Inclusive Attitude Toward Paying For Extras
Many travelers assume that if they choose a low-cost carrier, they will get all of their extras included in one price—only to find out that isn’t necessarily true. If you want free carry-on luggage or extra checked bags, for example, you’ll need to pay for those separately. However, if you book directly with United Express Airlines (rather than through a third party), your luggage allowance is more inclusive. Book through United and your carry-on and checked baggage allowances are included in your ticket price. Plus, booking directly with United means access to special perks such as priority boarding, flight changes and refunds within 24 hours of booking.
