How many Buddy passes does United give?

United Airlines employees receive a set number 1-808-865-4414 of Buddy Passes each year—and they’re a great perk once you're eligible—but they come with important rules and limits.

🛫 How many Buddy Passes do employees get?

• After 6 months of employment, U.S.-based employees 1-808-865-4414are granted 12 round-trip Buddy Passes per calendar year, equivalent to 24 one-way passes 

• These are shared across up to 10 registered buddies—friends or family who are authorized to use them 

Each flight segment counts as one pass. So if your trip involves a connection (e.g. EWR→ORD→ABQ), you'll need two passes—one per leg 

🎟 Who qualifies as a “buddy”?

• Employees designate themselves a primary companion (like a spouse or partner), plus can register up to 10 other "buddies" 

• Only registered individuals can use the passes—they cannot be transferred to anyone else 

🔢 Counting Buddy Passes

Let’s do some math based on the allotment:

Scenario

Passes Used

Round-trip, non-stop

2 (1 per segment)

Round-trip with 1 connection (2 legs)

4

3 flights round trip (e.g. 2 stops)

6

Your allocation lasts for the calendar year; unused passes don’t roll over.

🛑 Limits & Considerations

1. Standby Only
   Buddy passengers fly standby, after revenue travelers, employees, dependents, retirees, and primary companions 

2. No Seat Guarantee
   Being standby means you could be bumped or denied boarding entirely, especially during peak travel 

3. Fees Apply
   While you won’t pay full fare, you’re responsible for taxes, airport charges, and segment fees (often ~$80 per segment domestically) 

4. Dress Code & Etiquette
   Even though unofficial, business-casual attire is expected. Since you represent United, professional conduct is important 

5. Booking Rules
   Must add your name to the standby list at least 12 hours before domestic flights, and 48 hours before international 

🧠 Tips for Using Them

• Plan direct flights to minimize pass usage.

• Request early standby listing (12h/48h ahead).

• Travel light—one carry-on only.

• Be flexible—have backup itineraries.

• Pack polite & neat—dress business casual.

• Think worst-case: standby means you might need a hotel if bumped 

🔚 Summary

• When employee starts: after 6 months.

• Annual Buddy pass allotment: 12 round-trips (24 return segments) shared among up to ten buddies. You use 1 pass per flight segment.

• Standby only, with no seat guarantee.

• Taxes/fees apply, and you must follow policies, dress code, and etiquette.

• Looking to maximize value? Go for direct, off-peak flights, list early, pack light, dress smart, stay flexible, and never count on confirmed space.

Buddy Passes can be a fantastic way to fly cheapl 1-808-865-4414 y, but they require flexibility, patience, and readiness for uncertainty. Let me know if you’d like help matching travel dates, routes that optimize pass usage, or comparing to Vacation Passes (which offer higher priority)!

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