Does anyone have experience w/ these types of companion tickets? I'm curious about the restrictions. Does the purchased ticket have to be purchased at full price in order to use a companion ticket? etc.

Pricing and Terms

13.90% variable APR

Free Roundtrip Companion Ticket, One-way, 1,000 mile, One-Class Upgrade Certificate, & $25 United Discount Travel Certificate (for travel anywhere United flies within the contiguous United States, Canada and Mexico)
Please allow 6 to 8 weeks after your first purchase for your Roundtrip Companion Ticket, $25 United Discount Travel Certificate and One-way, 1,000 mile, One-class Upgrade Certificate to arrive. The $25 United Discount Travel Certificate and One-way, 1,000 mile, One-class Upgrade Certificate are not combinable with other discounts or air travel certificates and are not transferable. United's One-way, 1,000 mile, One-class Upgrade Certificate is valid from paid full-fare Economy to the next class of service. Please see Terms and Conditions of Companion Certificate Offer below. Additional restrictions apply and are printed on the certificates.

Free Companion Ticket restrictions

Passenger is responsible for any applicable taxes, fees, and charges associated with the companion ticket. Please see terms and conditions of companion ticket offer enclosed. Additional restrictions apply and will be printed on the certificate.

Terms and Conditions of Companion Certificate Offer (Comp Ticket offers only):

1. Valid Carrier: This discount may be applied to United or United Express operated flights, but not to flights operated by other airlines (such as United-marketed code share and Star Alliance flights).

2. Valid Routing: To take advantage of this discount you must travel within the 48 contiguous United States, Canada and Mexico. Valid for roundtrip travel for residents of Alaska or Hawaii, showing valid I.D., for travel originating in Alaska or Hawaii continuing on to the 48 contiguous United States. Certificate is only valid for travel on routes that United publishes fares. Both the paying passenger and the companion must travel roundtrip together on the same itinerary (Circle trips and open jaw trips are allowed).

3. Allowable Fares: Paid ticket must be a valid, published fare in Economy Class only with a minimum fare value of $299. Seats are capacity controlled and certain classes may not be available on all flights or on all days of the week when you travel.

4. Advance Purchase: Tickets must be purchased within 24 hours of making reservations and at least 14 days prior to departure.

5. Restricted Fares: This discount may not be used when the paid ticket is one of the following fare types: United First (F,A,P) or United Business (C,D), travel industry G class, contract, bulk, convention, tour conductor, children, family plan, government, group, military, senior citizen, student, youth, infant, tour basing, Round-the-World, Circle the Pacific, Visit USA fares, internet only fares or any non-published fare.

6. Fare Rules: Companion ticket is only valid for travel when accompanied by the fare-paying passenger. Travel must be roundtrip on United with both passengers traveling together on the same itinerary. Both passengers must confirm reservations, purchase tickets and travel together on the same flights, on the same dates, and in the same cabin of service. No further discounts may be used toward the fare paying passenger's ticket.

7. Fees: Payment of flight segment fees (a flight segment is one take-off and one landing) and passenger facility charges, which may be collected depending on the itinerary, are the responsibility of the passenger. These fees and/or other airport charges that may be in effect at the time of ticketing are the responsibility of the passenger, not the airline, and will be collected at ticket issuance or at the airport prior to departure.

8. Blackout Dates: None.

9. Min/Max Stay: Minimum stay is per rule of the fare purchased by the paying passenger. Maximum stay is 30 days.

10. Mileage Plus Accrual: The passenger may not accrue Mileage Plus miles while traveling on this companion ticket.

11. Upgrades: Upgrades may not be used when traveling on this companion ticket.

12. Denied Boarding Compensation: Denied boarding compensation is not permitted for the passenger traveling on this companion ticket.

13. Ticketing: You may redeem this certificate using United's Electronic Ticketing by calling United or your travel professional. You may also ticket through an airport location or by United "Ticket-By-Mail". Discount only applies when ticket is purchased within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Certificate must be surrendered at time of initial ticketing and can not be redeemed via the internet.

14. Changes/Refunds: Refund of a refundable ticket using this certificate will be the amount actually paid by the passenger and certificate will be forfeited. You may change your flight dates and time for a $100 service fee. No changes to origin or destination are allowed.

15. Other Important Notes: This discount may only be applied to the purchase of one new ticket and may not be applied to previously ticketed reservations. Certificate is not transferable, has no cash value and may not be altered or duplicated. Lost, stolen, expired or destroyed certificates will not be replaced. This certificate is void if sold or bartered. Other restrictions may apply. United reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions at any time without notice.

Your miles may not expire

United Mileage Plus frequent flyer miles will not expire for members who earn or redeem miles at least once every 36 months.