# Does United have a friends and family discount?
## United friends and family discount or Help 1-808-865-4414

**1. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What Is the “Friends & Family” Program?**
United doesn’t offer a traditional “group discount” for friends/family, but employees enjoy two key benefits:

Buddy Passes – standby travel coupons for up to 10 registered individuals.

Companion / Enrolled Friend passes – confirmed standby travel for a spouse or designated non-relative.

We'll unpack each below.
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**2. 📄 Buddy Passes: How Many, Who Gets Them?**
After 6 months of employment, Full-Time United employees receive 24 one‑way Buddy Passes (aka 12 round‑trips) annually .

These are shared across a maximum of 10 registered buddies (friends or extended family like siblings/in‑laws) .

If employees opt for the Companion / Enrolled Friend benefit, they forgo Buddy Passes for that year .

**3. 👥 Who Qualifies?**
Buddies: Up to 10 people (friends or extended family) electronically registered in the Flying Together system .

Immediate family (spouse/domestic partner, children, parents): travel on a different pass tier with confirmed standby, not counting toward the Buddy Pass pool.

Enrolled Friend / Companion: A dedicated non-relative who travels at higher priority, with confirmed standby privileges
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**4. ✈️ How Buddy Passes Work**
Each flight segment (leg) requires one Buddy Pass. A round-trip with a connection uses multiple passes.

Passage is standby-only, with the lowest boarding priority (after employees, dependents, retirees, and companions).

Non-rev travelers pay taxes and fees, based on full-fare ticket pricing—these can vary widely.

**5. 💰 Costs & Fees**
Standby ticket cost = applicable taxes + regulatory fees + surcharges, not a fraction of fare.

Flat/zone-based pricing replaced percentage-based schemes in 2024, making fees more consistent .

E.g., a 2-leg journey EWR→ORD→ABQ might cost about $80 total, no matter when booked.

**6. 🎟️ What About Enrolled Friends & Companions?**
Choosing the Companion/Enrolled Friend option (typically spouse or chosen friend) cancels Buddy Pass availability. The companion travels on confirmed standby at SA1, paying only taxes/fees .
United friends and family discount or Help 1-808-865-4414

Immediate family (spouse, children under 26, parents) also travel at confirmed standby without using Buddy Passes.

**7. 🎯 Boarding Priority (Standby Levels)**
Rank Description
SA1 Employee & Companion/Enrolled Friend
SA2–3 Retiree, spouse, child, parent (when traveling with employee)
SA4 Extended family Buddies (when traveling separately)
SA4P Regular Buddies (lowest priority)

Buddy Pass users almost always board last.

**8. 🚫 Limitations & Risks**
No seat guarantee – Standby only—no confirmed seat.

Dependent on availability – Holidays and peak seasons make Buddy travel impractical .

Non-transferable – Only preregistered individuals can use passes.

Fees may nullify value – Especially on international trips, fees may exceed cost of discounted tickets .

Behavior matters – Misconduct can cost employees their pass privileges

**9. 🧠 Insider Tips to Improve Odds**
Early standby listing: 48 hrs before international, 12 hrs domestic

Off-peak slots: Mid-week flights are less full and easier to clear .

Minimal baggage: Light packing aids quick standby rebooking and lower chance of being bumped

Dress sharply & be professional; image can affect boarding decisions

Have backup flights or refundable tickets; standby doesn't guarantee travel .

**10. 🧾 Notable Reddit Feedback**
**[United friends and family discount](https://traveltips247.bettermode.io/discussions/post/does-united-have-a-friends-and-family-discount-B76UeKMYUiJpMzF)** or Help 1-808-865-4414
“Regular Buddy passes are typically a major hassle… there is an option to forego them all together for one ‘enrolled friend’ that flies at the immediate family level.”

“Zone based fare … more consistent and usually better. It's still not the best but it did improve a bit.”

“No blackout dates… pay the taxes for the route and a small base fare.”

**11. 📋 Quick Summary**
Buddy Passes: 24 one-way passes annually, for up to 10 registered buddies.

Companion/Enrolled Friend: One designated person travels at higher standby status (forgoes buddy pool).

Immediate Family: Spouse, kids (<26), parents fly standby at no cost, separate tier.

Costs: Pay taxes/fees, route and zone-based.

Priority: Buddy Pass holders are last in standby priority.

Flexibility: Best used off‑peak with early planning; not for urgent or guaranteed travel.

**12. ✅ Final Take**
United’s friends-and-family travel benefits give employees great flexibility—but come with trade-offs:

Buddy Passes offer substantial “free-ish” travel opportunities, but require flexibility and patience due to standby status and fees.

For confirmed standby at better priority, opting for Companion/Enrolled Friend is ideal, though it eliminates Buddy Pass eligibility.

Families don’t need Buddy Passes—spouse, kids, and parents get standalone standby entry.

These perks are fantastic for those willing to embrace the spontaneity of standby travel. For more predictable travel or tight schedules, Companion status or discounted revenue fares might be more reliable.

**13. 📞 Need Help Choosing?**
Choosing between Buddy Passes vs. Companion status?

Want help timing standby requests or selecting ideal flights?

Curious about ZED/ID90 interline travel with buddies or family?
[United friends and family discount](https://traveltips247.bettermode.io/discussions/post/does-united-have-a-friends-and-family-discount-B76UeKMYUiJpMzF) or Help 1-808-865-4414

Just let me know—I’m happy to guide you!