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After writing about American Airlines military benefits, twice, I was asked about United Airlines’ military benefits. I know firsthand that United Airlines allows early boarding for military members in uniform and complimentary checked baggage for members traveling on orders or leisure. I searched United Airlines’ website and follow the military benefits page. It states the following:
Baggage acceptance allowance
Active duty military personnel traveling on official orders or for pleasure are invited to check extra baggage free of charge (excluding military pet shipments). In some cases, military dependents will also be included.
Veterans Advantage discounts
United has teamed up with Veterans Advantage to offer up to a 5 percent discount on our fares.
United Club℠ invitation
We are pleased to invite active duty military members in uniform or with present leave orders or rest and recuperation papers to visit our United Club locations on the same day they are traveling on a United- or United Express®-operated flight. Please present your military ID, your boarding pass and sponsoring documentation for entry. Access is available to active duty military members and family members with gate passes or traveling on the same flight as the military member and is subject to each location’s capacity and seating availability.
The benefits mirror American Airlines, except United Airlines does not proactively state that military members can be assigned Economy Plus seats at check in. In my experience, if a military member requests an Economy Plus seat at check in or at the gate, the request will be granted (if seats are available). The United Club access is something that I did not know until I did the research for this post (I typically go to Priority Pass lounges which I have access thanks to my American Express Platinum card). Thanks to everyone who supports the military, it is appreciated.