If you’re planning on traveling, you’re between 18 and 23, and you’re a student, you might think that most airlines offer a student discount fare. Many years ago they did, but not anymore. Southwest, Delta, and JetBlue all offer nothing.

The only airline that supposedly offers a student discount is United. 

It’s a 5% discount on United’s basic economy fares. And it’s complicated to access those fares. 

First, you have to join their MileagePlus program through the United app, then go through multiple identity verifications. When you search for flight discounts, what do you find?

For example, your one-way ticket from LAX to Denver goes from $187 to a student discount fare of…$180. For $7, it’s not worth it.