Originally Posted by
findark
I think your best bet is to watch the seatmap starting about 24 hours before departure. Silvers will start moving to E+ and this will open up seats in E-. Barring that, a quiet word with the gate agent should at least stop your children from sitting alone.
Or pay for E+ seating, if there is availability of clustered seats. Star Alliance Gold won't do anything to get you into E+. Only Platinum and higher status on UA will get you more than 1 companion in E+.