Duly noted on the E+ terminology, I fly United almost exclusively so I'm not too into the offerings of other airlines and what they call things.

I appreciate the feedback thus far. So I guess my question at this point is, considering United's policy is that I have to be traveling with my party in order for them to keep the E+ benefit, I assume then i'm better off changing my ticket online? Because if I call up and speak with an agent, they might be compelled, with the knowledge that i'm not on the reservation anymore, to change their seats.

I was not sure if the computer would automatically take their E+ seats away the moment I break off the reservation. If it's just a matter of them having to take their chances that there's not a flight change or an overly interested gate agent that looks too deeply into their ticket, then canceling ahead of time is how I think i'l proceed.