United PassPlus Flex - Save up to 30% on business, first class with United PassPlus Flex

Small to mid-size Australian businesses can reduce their business and first class air travel costs by up to 30% through United Airlines’ ‘PassPlus Flex’ scheme, with free MileagePlus Premier Gold and United Club lounge memberships also thrown into the mix for corporate travellers.

It’s done by estimating and then pre-paying the business’ annual travel spend from Australia to the US at the get-go – the balance of which forms a travel credit that can be redeemed for flights with United.

Julie Reid, Director Australia and New Zealand Sales states, “The true benefit of PassPlus Flex is that SMEs can enjoy benefits similar to those offered to larger companies, right up front – making their travel more affordable and rewarding. What makes the program particularly unique is the ability for customers to be rewarded instantly through our premier status match offering.”

The highest 30% savings can naturally be had on the most expensive Global First and BusinessFirst (business class) fares, while United slashes mid-range business class bookings and the highest flexible economy tickets by 20%.

You’ll also save a lower 10% on middle-price economy tickets and a mere 5% on the least-expensive business class tickets, while no further discounts apply on the cheapest economy airfares.

Here’s how it all breaks down by ‘fare bucket’, or booking class:

In practical terms, a 20% discount takes this $8,700 BusinessFirst D-class airfare down to $6,960…

.. while the full 30% off drops this near-$11,000 Global First A-class ticket down to $7,677 – less than the cost of what you’d pay for business class without joining the PassPlus Flex scheme.

United PassPlus Flex: free Premier Gold status

In addition to discounts on your transpacific travel, United hands out free MileagePlus Premier Gold and United Club lounge memberships in line with the amount you spend.

Entry-level PassPlus Flex members who pre-pay $30,000 of travel expenses receive two United Club lounge memberships and two Premier Gold (Star Alliance Gold) frequent flyer cards.

Both provide access to Star Alliance business class lounges the world over – even if you’re travelling with other airlines such as Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines or Air Canada.

The latter also opens the door to contract lounges in airports where Star Alliance airlines don’t have their own lounge facilities, along with other perks such as priority check-in and boarding.

If your company’s spend pushes past $30,000 each year, here’s how many free Premier Gold and United Club memberships you’ll pick up to distribute among your road warriors:

United flies daily from both Sydney and Melbourne to Los Angeles and daily from Sydney to San Francisco.

For more details, head to the United website.

Also read: United Airlines to offer Wi-Fi on all Australian flights by July

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Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.