The American Kennel Club (AKC) has announced a collaboration with United Airlines to offer discounted fares for fanciers and their dogs traveling to AKC events.

Discounts will be available to anyone traveling to or from an AKC event with a 2-night minimum stay. Depending on class of service and how far in advance of the travel date tickets are purchased, United will offer 5% to 15% off published fares. Fanciers may obtain the discount by contacting United's Special Reservations at 800-521-4041 and using the code “515SP.” The airline will maintain a database of the dates and locations of AKC events and the code will be provided to AKC Superintendents for inclusion in their Premium Lists.

For dogs, certificates for 50% discounted travel will be available through AKC parent clubs for any dog flying as “checked baggage” in medium to large crates (300 through 700 Vari-Kennel Sizes) on United domestic flights. Passengers holding the certificates and with dogs in crates within these sizes will pay $100 each way (vs. $200 for non-AKC United customers) for the dog's travel within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands on United, United Express and Ted.

United Airlines will distribute a limited number of one-way travel discount certificates to participants in AKC events. Available upon request, each Parent Club may receive 40 certificates at no charge. Parent clubs interested in taking advantage of the offer should send an e-mail message to Daphna Straus at dxs@akc.org with “United Travel Certificate” in the subject line. Indicate your Club's name, the total number of certificates you would like to receive for your Club, and a single delivery address.

The agreement runs through July 15, 2005. During this time, the AKC and United will also feature AKC programming and public service messages as part of the airline's on-air entertainment, as well as AKC advertorial content in United's “Hemispheres” in-flight magazine.