United Airlines Pass Travel: Your Digital Access Guide
Quick Summary
- employeeRES for pass riders is transitioning.
- United mobile app is the new travel hub.
- Enrolled Friends get individual access.
- Never share login details.
- Pass priority impacts travel success.
For United Airlines employees and their designated pass riders, managing non-revenue travel benefits has recently undergone a significant update. The system previously known as employeeRES (eRES), a digital portal for pass rider travel bookings, is being phased out. This change impacts how pass riders access and arrange their flights. Beginning July 31, 2025, pass riders and dependents will transition from the dedicated employeeRES website to the comprehensive United mobile app to manage all their travel arrangements. This shift aims to streamline the experience, offering a more integrated platform for leveraging employee travel privileges. This guide provides clarity on what this transition means for you, how to navigate the new system, and essential tips for smooth travel planning.
- 📋 What's Needed to Arrange Your United Pass Travel
- 📍 How United Pass Riders Enter Their Digital Portal
- ⭐ Exploring Your Non-Revenue United Travel Benefits
- ⚠️ When Your United Pass Travel Account Isn't Responding
- 🔒 Keeping Your United Pass Travel Credentials Safe
- 🎧 Official Help Desk Contacts
- ❓ Common Queries for United Pass Travel Users
What's Needed to Arrange Your United Pass Travel
- A valid MileagePlus account linked to your sponsoring United employee or retiree. This linkage is crucial for accessing your pass travel benefits through the United mobile app.
- Status as an Enrolled Friend or dependent. United employees can designate individuals as 'enrolled friends' who then have the option to receive their own distinct login credentials for managing their travel. This differs from 'buddy pass' riders who do not get their own access and must have the employee book for them.
- The United mobile app installed on your smartphone or tablet. This application will become the primary interface for pass riders to book and modify their non-revenue flights after the employeeRES retirement.
How United Pass Riders Enter Their Digital Portal
- Ensure your sponsoring employee or retiree has designated you as an Enrolled Friend and set up specific login credentials for you.
- Download and install the United mobile app from your device's app store if you haven't already.
- Open the United mobile app and locate the sign-in option. You will likely sign in using your personal MileagePlus account details that are linked to your pass rider status.
- Once logged in, navigate to the section dedicated to employee or pass rider travel. This area within the app will allow you to search for flights, view available passes, and make bookings.
- If you encounter issues during your initial setup or account linkage, contact the Digital Technology (DT) Service Desk for assistance.
Exploring Your Non-Revenue United Travel Benefits
- Booking Flights: Search for available flights and secure your non-revenue travel directly through the United mobile app.
- Travel Management: View existing bookings, make changes, and cancel trips as needed, all within the mobile platform.
- Understanding Priority Levels: Gain insight into the various non-revenue travel priority codes (e.g., SA0, SA1, SA3, SA4, SA7). Your priority depends on factors like your sponsor's status, whether they are using a vacation pass, and if you are traveling with them.
- MileagePlus Integration: Seamlessly connect your pass travel benefits with your personal MileagePlus account for a unified travel experience.
When Your United Pass Travel Account Isn't Responding
⚠️ Account Access Issues or Forgotten Password
Cause: You may have forgotten your MileagePlus password or are experiencing technical difficulties accessing the app.
Solution: We know being locked out is stressful! The quickest fix is often to reset your MileagePlus password directly through the United website or app's 'Forgot Password' link. If that doesn't resolve it, or if you need to set up new access credentials, contact the Digital Technology (DT) Service Desk for immediate support.
⚠️ Cannot Book Travel as a Buddy Pass Rider
Cause: Buddy pass riders do not receive their own login credentials and cannot book their own travel.
Solution: If you are a buddy pass rider, your sponsoring employee is solely responsible for booking and managing your travel on your behalf. Communicate directly with them for all your travel needs.
⚠️ Problems Linking MileagePlus Account
Cause: Your MileagePlus account may not be correctly linked to your pass rider profile through your sponsoring employee.
Solution: Your sponsoring employee or retiree must ensure your MileagePlus account is properly connected to your pass rider status. There is a dedicated resource page on Flying Together to guide them through this process. You may need to ask them to review the instructions provided there.
Keeping Your United Pass Travel Credentials Safe
- 🔒 Never share your Flying Together or MileagePlus login information with anyone. This is against United's I.T. security policy and could lead to losing your travel privileges. Your unique login is for your use only.
- 🔒 If you are an Enrolled Friend, ensure your sponsoring employee sets up separate, unique credentials for you rather than sharing their own. This protects both your access and their employee account.
- 🔒 Be cautious of phishing attempts. Always verify that you are on the official United Airlines website or using the authentic United mobile app before entering any login details.
- 🔒 Regularly update your password to a strong, unique combination of characters to minimize unauthorized access risks to your digital portal.
🎧 Official Support & Help Center
For assistance with login issues, password resets, or account access, contact the Digital Technology (DT) Service Desk at 847-700-5800 or toll-free at 800-255-5801 (within U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, USVI, Hong Kong, Japan, and UK). International callers should dial the AT&T Direct Access Number for their country and then enter 877-363-5800.
Common Queries for United Pass Travel Users
Q: How do United Airlines pass riders book travel now that employeeRES is no longer available?
As of July 31, 2025, United Airlines pass riders and dependents must use the United mobile app to book and manage their non-revenue travel. The former employeeRES website for pass riders has been retired.
Q: What is the difference between an Enrolled Friend and a Buddy Pass rider for United Airlines travel?
An Enrolled Friend is a designated pass rider who can receive their own login credentials from the sponsoring employee to book and manage their travel through the United mobile app. A Buddy Pass rider, however, does not receive individual credentials; the sponsoring employee must book and handle all travel arrangements for them. Enrolled friends generally have better benefits like unlimited flights and lower prices compared to limited buddy passes.
Q: How do I get my own login credentials for United Airlines pass travel?
Only Enrolled Friends have the option to receive their own login credentials. Your sponsoring United employee or retiree must initiate this process and set up specific access for you. Buddy pass riders do not get individual logins.
Q: What are the priority codes for United pass travel and how do they work?
United pass travel uses priority codes like SA0, SA1, SA3, SA4, and SA7 to determine boarding order on a space-available basis. These codes depend on factors such as the employee's status, whether they are using a vacation pass, and if the pass rider is accompanied. For instance, an unaccompanied Enrolled Friend is typically SA4, while a Buddy Pass rider is SA7, which is the lowest priority.
Wrap Up
The transition from employeeRES for pass riders marks a new era for managing United Airlines employee travel benefits through the United mobile app. By understanding the new processes, maintaining secure practices, and leveraging the available resources, pass riders can continue to enjoy their travel privileges with greater convenience. Remember to always communicate with your sponsoring employee and utilize the official channels for support to ensure a smooth journey.