Originally Posted by
itsme
... If I buy Basic Economy on a domestic flight, my Gold status may or may not get me an E+ seat, depending on whether there are any E+ seats left unsold, so don't count on it? Are there priority lists like the ones for "upgrades"? Arrival time at the gate might determine where I wind up sitting? ....
There are no known algorithms, although there seems to be a preference for fill the back of economy first but some Gate Agents may take pity on elites and pro-actively or on request may provide E+ (but assuming that will be a middle seat as all others will have been taken for most routes)
Originally Posted by
itsme
Does Basic Economy exist on UA international flights or just on domestic ones? ...
Yes, but for a fee you can get a confirmed seat assignment.
The wikis of these threads may help may help
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...lable-fee.html
TATL Basic Economy (renamed Dec 2018); all BE to earn 50% PQMs, earn 100% PQDs
Originally Posted by
itsme
"Refundable" is different from "change fee"? The first meaning you can get your money back; the second meaning you can change flights without fee unless the fare has changed?
Yes, Yes
As a general resources, this may help
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...n/economy.html