Like other reputable commercial carriers, United Airlines offers discounts and benefits exclusively to seniors. These benefits may include fare discounts on select flights, early boarding perks, and potential seat upgrades. However, the latter two are not automatically included and may require enrollment in the MileagePlus program. Additionally, this airline is great for seniors looking to explore new destinations or visit family, as it offers a wide range of destinations, comfortable travel experiences, and convenient booking options.

United Airlines senior flight eligibility criteria
Senior discounts are available exclusively for passengers aged 65 and older. The discount applies only to select flights, with savings typically ranging from 5% to 25% off the base fare. Also, the reduced fares appear predominantly on specific domestic and international routes. The availability fluctuates on the basis of a few aspects :

• Travel dates and seasonality
• Flight route and destination
• Seat availability in each fare class
• Current promotional offers

The company does not guarantee senior discounts across all routes, making individual itinerary verification necessary. Travelers seeking senior-based discounts can contact the airline to learn about their availability.

United Airlines booking process
Making a flight reservation with senior discounts is an easy and quick process. Seniors can book these discounted flights using one of three different channels.

Official website

• Visit the United Airlines website (United.com) on a web browser on their computer, as senior discounts are not typically displayed on the mobile app.
• Enter the travel details, including departure and arrival locations, along with the respective dates.
• Select “Senior (65+)” under the “Travelers” drop-down menu to indicate the number of senior travelers in the reservation. This option shows whether senior fares and discounts are available on the given flight.
• Go through the applicable discounts on the search results.
• Compare multiple fare options before choosing the one priced most reasonably. Senior fares are not always cheaper than other promotional fares, so it’s best to compare.

Phone call

• Call the United Airlines Reservations phone number 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331).  Occasionally, agents may be able to find discounts that are not visible on the website.
• Inform the on-phone executive that they are a senior citizen and wish to book a discounted United flight.  The travel representative on the line will guide callers through booking and securing their ticket.

Travel agent

• Book through a travel agent for a more personalized experience.
• Get assistance from agencies, as they can quickly help clients find the best senior discount options for their United Airlines flight reservations.

Tips to secure reduced United Airlines flights for seniors

Some tried and tested tricks can help customers find reasonable fares on their flights.

• Members of the United Airlines MileagePlus program can use their earned miles to book flight tickets.
• To save on travel costs, they should consider being flexible with dates and times. Afternoon flights are sometimes cheaper than morning ones.
• They should avoid booking flights at the last minute, as the tickets tend to be highly expensive and may not offer preferred seat options.
• To find cheaper fares, seniors should consider booking non-refundable flight tickets instead. Refundable flight tickets often come with additional booking fees. 

Silver Wings Plus Membership

United Airlines’ Silver Wings Plus program, commonly referred to as Silver Wings, was launched in 1986 for travelers aged 55 and older. The program reached its benefits peak around 1996, boasting 560,000 members. Although memberships for new members were closed in 2007, lifetime members who joined before September 2005 continue to enjoy several valuable benefits. These include discounted zone-based domestic or international fares, companion discounts for any-age travelers, MileagePlus integration, and access to United and partner airlines.

Between 2007 and 2016, United Airlines processed about 5,048 zoned fare bookings, proving the program’s enduring value during that period. Typically, tickets must be purchased 14 days in advance and are available for round-trip itineraries, marking a significant legacy benefit in the history of airline senior fare discounts.