To offer an easy and cost-effective air travel experience, United Airlines Buddy Pass or a special voucher is given to the staff of this carrier. These standby passes can also be used to allow their family members or friends to come and have a free journey with United Airlines. In some cases, one can even book a trip at discounted rates by using these buddy passes. However, these passes are bound with some rules and regulations that must be abided by members. Remember, the rules and associated benefits of these passes are only applicable when travel is booked with United Airlines.
Understanding Buddy Passes United Airlines

Before exploring the United Airlines buddy pass rules and other aspects, one must understand what exactly they are. These are nothing but travel benefits provided by the airline to its employees. These passes are shareable with family members and even friends. These buddy passes cum travel vouchers offer free travel or travel with discounted airfares. However, these passes are used on a standby basis and have several rules to be followed. Before using them, one must acquire the necessary details.
How Does United Buddy Pass Work?
Anyone working or associated with United Airlines may receive buddy passes. They can share it with their friends and family, too. To use or collect these passes, one must create a rider account (on the mobile app or official website) and grab the United Airlines buddy pass login ID credentials.
Once the rider account of an employee is activated, they can use the voucher cum buddy pass to book their next journey with United Airlines.
- Seats reserved through buddy passes come with standby flights.
- To avoid any issues, one must have a flexible travel schedule.
- These passes can be redeemed even during the peak travel seasons.
- Buddy passes cover one-way travel airfares only.
What are the United Buddy Pass Rules?
Anyone must know and adhere to the United Airlines buddy pass policy and rules to attain the benefits attached. To get these passes:
- One must be working with United Airlines.
- Retired members are not eligible to get buddy passes.
Besides these two common rules, some more are applicable to the United buddy pass.
- These passes do allow the users to travel in the business class or first class on international routes.
- One can fly in the business class or first class only if they are flying with a current employee of United Airlines.
- Users cannot transfer or return these vouchers after booking tickets.
- Baggage policy and related rules will remain the same for the users of buddy passes.
How United Airlines Members Can Get Buddy Passes?
To receive these buddy passes, one must contact the airline authorities directly. In case they are not an employee, they can get in touch with the United member. However, those members will also need to fulfill certain criteria to receive the passes or vouchers.
- They will need to create a United Buddy Pass Rider Account through the airline’s website or official mobile app.
- Accept all the travel-related guides after completing the activation process.
- Fill out every necessary field before pressing the SUBMIT button.
- Upon this, they will get the credentials (United buddy pass login ID and password) on their registered email and contact number.
- In the mail, they will get a link (https://erespassrider.united.com/passriderlogin/) for further steps.
- Click on this link to proceed with the procedure for receiving the voucher.
- When they click on this link, they will be asked to follow every on-screen prompt.
- Once the procedure is done, they will get the voucher within the given timeline.
What are the Benefits of Using a United Airlines Buddy Pass?
Anyone who has the buddy passes of United Airlines can have access to numerous benefits. It is believed that the benefits multiply when someone is using them to fly outside the nation, where higher traveling and other costs are involved.
- Users can utilize these passes to book tickets for free or at lower prices.
- No baggage fee is payable for the users of United Airlines buddy passes.
- When traveling domestically, one can decide between economy, business, and first class.
- However, this benefit is subject to the availability of the seats.
- Flight changes or other changes are possible by paying a minimal fee.
Do Buddy Passes of United Come with Any Limitations?

Just like any other voucher, buddy passes offered by United Airlines have some restrictions. Fliers booking their itinerary through United Buddy Pass must know those limitations beforehand to avoid last-minute issues.
- A confirmed seat is not assured as these passes are available for standby flights.
- No user of buddy passes is allowed to choose every food item that is available on the flight.
- These passes cannot be accessed or used by the retired employees of United Airlines.
- Certain fees and taxes are separately charged for layovers and airports.
- Reimbursement will not be offered to buddy pass holders if the flight is delayed or cancelled.
- Groups using a buddy pass cannot sit together since the seat allotment is subject to availability.
How Much is a Buddy Pass on United?
While using a buddy pass on United Airlines, different prices and fees may be incurred. However, these are completely based on the flight availability and route (domestic or international) chosen.
In general, a certain portion of the base ticket airfares and taxes is covered through the buddy passes. It is always better to connect with the United Airlines executive or help desk to know the accurate payable amount.
How to Make the Best Use of United Buddy Passes?
To have a smooth and positive travel experience through the buddy passes of United Airlines, fliers are advised to consider some useful tips.
- Be flexible with the schedule: Since these passes are used for the standby flights, one must be flexible with their air travel or trip to make the best use of them.
- Dress properly: However, there is no official United Airlines dress code for buddy passes; it is better to dress neatly and nicely and feel confident.
- Ready to pay a fee: Even though these passes offer discounts, one may need to pay certain fees, like airport taxes. For this, users should inquire about the same with their departure and arrival airports.
Closing remarks
The United Airlines buddy pass is considered a fabulous benefit for the current employees and their loved ones, providing an air travel experience at discounted rates. However, one must know that it is a standby option. This means users with flexible schedules can make the best use of these passes. If they are able to do this, they can have the most enjoyable and affordable travel.