In fact I did call the UA elite desk and the horrible CSR told me that I am welcome to buy the other two E+ seats. If I do not buy the E+, we CANNOT split up, and all have to sit in back.

And as I said, I can understand the only 1 companion rule, but both online and the CSR state that I cannot sit two in E+ and the rest of the party in back, which would at least allow me to sit my wife up front.