Originally Posted by
Pizzaman
By changing the companion to Gold, it does make me think UA believes they can pick up revenue from E+ seats that might be taken up by companion reservations of more than 2 people.
For example, when I travel for business and my wife joins me later, along with our two kids, they all get E+. In 2027, I would need to pay for anyone traveling with my wife beyond the first companion.
I have no idea how much extra revenue that produces for UA. But, I struggle to find another significant revenue source they realize by dropping companion from "earned status" to Gold (as opposed to Platinum).
I'm in a very similar situation, though not too concerned about paying for 1 extra E+ seat when my wife and 2 kids fly without me from 2027 onward, and I can't imagine this will make United much money. If I had to bet, they're trying to clean up the boarding process for their top elites, so there aren't giant numbers of people pre-boarding with GS/1K status before every flight. To me, that's the huge differentiator ex-SFO between Plat and 1K-- very annoying getting on a domestic flight with group 1 in paid F and having to throw my carryon back in coach. Still hoping they bring back the red carpet one day.