I have a trip next week that is half UA, half CO. I had added my CO number, but ua.com won't let me pick E+ seats. Called UA, they're telling me that I'm eligible, but the only way to get an E+ seat is to go to the airport. Put me on hold to check with the "support desk", and said I had to pay for it. On hold for a supervisor now...

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Update: Supervisor confirmed I was eligible and able to do it over the phone, took him 3-4 minutes to give me seats.

Worked for me buying a ticket yesterday for a flight FCO-IAD-IAH on OCt 14th. It actually would only let me choose seats in E+ on the Co webpage (and when I checked on United after, same thing).

Other than the CO website showing a United 777 with two sets of wings it worked great ^^^

Ciao,
FH

websites say "Later this month"
 

look at what Smiszek has in his letter on the websites:

Coming later this month, elite members will enjoy reciprocal access to complimentary elite upgrades and preferred economy seating on United and Continental flights. United elite members will have access to Continental’s preferred seating, and Continental elite members will have access to United’s Economy Plus® seating

E+ on CO codeshare LAX -SFO
 

I just tried to follow the CO.com instructions to get a seat on the LAX - SFO codeshare for this Sunday 3-Oct-2010 with the following results/observations:


:td::mad: - United IVR system <speaks english/does not understand english>

:td::mad: - United CSR <barely speaks english/does not understand english>

^:D - Secured E+ seating!!!

Next time I will try to do the same via United elite line and see if its any better.

Slightly OT...
 

I am *G (Gold on OP, zip on MP).

Ove the past six months I've never had luck entering my OP number on a UA operated flight (not code share) prior to check-in. At check-in, I am able to change from MP number ot OP and have *G printed on my boarding pass. This usually gets me E+ t the gate.

When I go to print out my MP memberships card, there is no *G recognition. I called UA support about three months ago - a harrrowing experience - and they said my *G status is reflected in the system but I do not see it in my profile.

Is this the way it is, or am I doing something wrong....

CO Gold -- couldn't select seats on United.com for a quick MR to HNL. However, called United CSR and was given E+. No questions asked ^

Now, if the upgrade comes through, that would be ^^

I wonder how long it will take for Jeff to starting adding seats into the UA planes :eek:

later..and later.....and even later...From CO.com
 

In addition, starting sometime in October 2010, United elite members will have access to Continental’s Elite Upgrades, and Continental elite members will have access to United’s Unlimited Domestic Upgrades.

Well, that nails it down for me! NOT

I just called get my E+ seat and they tried to charge me $59 but then told them I was elite it should be free. They then checked and agreed it was free but my wife would have to pay for the E+ seat. (Reward tix booked on CO with 2 UA segments)

All pax in your PNR are not covered by your elite status like with CO ELR? :confused:

Update: CO Silver is allowed 1 companion upgrade to E+, I called back and got a different CSR that knew much more than previous agent. :D

CO Plat - upcoming trip next week - E+ confirmed via phone
 

CO Plat here. Upcoming itinerary next week AUS IAH (CO), IAH PHX (CO), PHX ORD (CO Codeshare), ORD AUS (UA).

Called United domestic resos and they moved me into E+ very quickly. No need to talk to supervisor. Also confirmed that i need to request F UG at airport.

Also Cont Plat..........Just called United reservations and they told me that I would get my E+ plus seating for an upcoming ORD-DCA on 10/19, but not until I get to the airport. From all that I've read, that is not correct as I should be able to get an assigned E+ plus seat now. What gives?

Call back, say, "as a CO Platinum I'd like to select an E+ seat".

You are an FTer, and should know the mantra "Hang up and call back"

Thanks everyone this is great news! I just called the UA rep and they upgraded me to E+ with no questions asked. Just curious if an agent makes the change, should it instantly be updated on ua.com?

It took a minute for my seat changes to show up.

Just did it. First CSR wanted to charge me, asked for a sup, sup told me they just got the memo within the last hour and changed me into E+ on five different itineraries. He said by next month we should be able to all this online.

Mine showed up on ua.com asap! ^

One call back, a 10 minute wait and chat with a supervisor and............success! I'll be glad when the kinks get worked out "later this month".

I have a flight next week and do not have a seat assignment. I am Continental plat. There are plenty of E+ seats, but no E-. I have called three times, working my way thru the questions to get to a CSR, and have not received one without a strong accent, nor have I gotten a seat. My onepass number is on the reservation OK as they recognize (at least two of them did) my status. But all have said that the upgrade is day of flight available at the gate only. They said I would have to pay to get upgrade now.

Center seat here I come. Welcome to the new United.

Got E+ without asking
 

I booked a combo United/CO trip on the phone with CO last night. They said they had to request seats from UA. There was no mention of E+ or anything.

This morning I checked my reservation on CO.com, there was a message that said I could request seats on the UA legs with a phone number. It also showed my UA confirmation number (very helpful ^)

I called the number and the automatic voice told me my seat assignments. Checking seatexpert.com confirmed that these were E+ seats, and aisle, my preference.

So I didn't even have to ask! Nice work, I'm a happy merging customer :)

Are you trying to upgrade or get E+?

I would try one last time and tell them to punch in the system briefing: S*UAL/16SEP (per HeathrowGuy!) or get someone who can.

Just E+, or even just a seat. Tried fourth time and got actual english speaking person who assigned the E+. I guess this is success, although wading thru the phone prompts four times, and speaking to three clueless CSR has not been a high customer satisfaction experience. Be glad when the system gets working.

I called past midnight Thursday to get E+ on two future reservations. CSR told me can only be done at airport. I asked for a supervisor who gave me some attitude and repeated the same.
I called again this morning and got a very pleasant CSR who switched all my seats to E+. They showed up within a minute on UA website. However, I notice that when I look at the seats online, the box on the side shows the $ charge for E+. I certainly didn't pay anything and assume this is just a fluke.

CO elite. Just snagged 17 A&B (bulkhead!) on UA flight to Singapore in November by calling in! Much better than 38A. Absolutely no problem.

Co Plat on UA flight to SIN. Called and gotten all E+ seats thru CSR. Saw the same on the UA website. Assume it is a fluke but requested for e-mail confirmation of new seats assignment.

Welcome to the new United!

I got E+ seats without a problem on a upcoming reward flight (IAD to SIN).

I hope Jeff will realize the value of these seats to elites when F or Business isn't available.

Or when F/C cannot be afforded by Elites who are paying out of pocket for their tickets.

The first UA agent I got was able to move us to E+ on three different reservations - two international and one domestic. Perhaps, the policy awareness is propagating.

just curious, how many pax have ya'll been able to move to E+? does the 1 companion for every 1 elite rule apply?

going off of this, i would be also curious to see if the UDU companion rule would also work for CO elites...

Has anyone (namely Plats) had any luck getting an exit row seat on UNITED when calling in?

As I read this thread, it occurs to me that the best arguments to keep E+ will come from CO elites who will be experiencing this feature for the first time. As a longtime 1K who knows the value of E+, I encourage the CO elites to let Jeff and the others know how much this means to you.

Agreed^. The new powers at UA need to hear from the troops.

*Takes a bow*

Good start with old United (I think)
 

Had to book on old United as CO was more than double to my destination and the times were horrible. I almost fell for picking E+ and paying $39 for it online. I called into United and, after fighting the automated system, got an agent who pleasantly put me into E+ and into the exit row on a flight where there is no E+.

NOW...my minor concern. The online reservation (on ua.com) has the new seats, but when I flip through each individual flight, it has a $39 charge posted for the seats. I do not see any change to the ticket cost on the receipt nor do I see any additional charges to my CC.

Can someone please ease my concerns and tell me for certain that I am not being charged for something that I should be getting for free as a CO plat elite?

Thanks!

Same here. See posts 63 and 65 above. I'm not too worried as they don't have my CC#. Flight was booked through cruise company as part of a package.

Thanks for the info, I just booked tickets last night on CO flights operated by UA. I selected good seats, no seat assignments today when I checked the reservation. With a call to UA and a great CSR, now I have some good seats again!

Wildman

Now if we can just get the UG with the CO status!

Just called UA for two of my flights SIN - NRT in October and December onwards to IAH on CO...E+ without any issues and a super-helpful CSR.

My CSR said that I was his first request for move to E+ from a CO Plat but that they were expecting a lot and had staffed up. Moved me TPA - TUS via DEN and return all flights no problem. Didn't bring up UG list.

A question, rhetorical no doubt, why don't they just fix the software to allow us to get E+ off of the website, vs bringing extra folks in to manage these requests?

I had a previously booked combo United/CO trip and wanted to upgrade the IAD-BRU portion to E+

This morning I checked my reservation on CO.com, there was a message that said I could request seats on the UA legs with a phone number. It also showed my UA confirmation number. I called UA and their automated line was horrible and couldn't understand my voice and the simple difference between yes/no. However, as soon as I got a representative he swiftly changed me into E+. So overall - yay.