It depends on who you are connected to over at UA. Some agents will allow the non-elite to sit up in E+ with you, but some will not. Like the ol' sayin' goes... if it doesnt work your way, just hang up an' try again.

FWIW... some FT'ers around here blame that (the ability to get things your way by hanging up and trying again) on the poor inconsistent training that phone agents receive. I think it more closely relates to that agents comfort level behind the screen. Some older agents, that dont stick to the book, per se, realize what rules cant be bent (change fees, fare rules) and those that can (non-elite traveling partner sitting in E+). Its basic goodwill on behalf of the agent to attempt to seat the non-elite friend into the E+ seat next to you, regardless of what the computer does to that seat in the future. Their ability to bend the rules directly relates to their comfort level. Just my two cents.