[Archived] Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here...
#3841
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,276
Can't find a dedicated thread on Premier Access, so I'll ask here.
Is there any difference being a non-UA *G or *S on UA?
Don't both *G and *S on UA get the whole set of Premier Access benefits? So, any difference?
Is there any difference being a non-UA *G or *S on UA?
Don't both *G and *S on UA get the whole set of Premier Access benefits? So, any difference?
#3842
And here's one for UA benefits.
Lots more benefits for UA members flying on UA than for Star Alliance *G/*S members flying on UA. Here are just a few examples:
- Complimentary EP access (upgrade)
- Instant upgrades on Y/B/M fares
- Complimentary same-day flight changes
- Extra 3 checked bags @ 70lbs each free (vs extra 1 bag only for *G)
etc.
Airlines always treat their own elites better than their alliance partners do.
-S
#3843
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,276
Here is a chart about non-UA *G/*S benefits.
And here's one for UA benefits.
Lots more benefits for UA members flying on UA than for Star Alliance *G/*S members flying on UA. Here are just a few examples:
- Complimentary EP access (upgrade)
- Instant upgrades on Y/B/M fares
- Complimentary same-day flight changes
- Extra 3 checked bags @ 70lbs each free (vs extra 1 bag only for *G)
etc.
Airlines always treat their own elites better than their alliance partners do.
-S
And here's one for UA benefits.
Lots more benefits for UA members flying on UA than for Star Alliance *G/*S members flying on UA. Here are just a few examples:
- Complimentary EP access (upgrade)
- Instant upgrades on Y/B/M fares
- Complimentary same-day flight changes
- Extra 3 checked bags @ 70lbs each free (vs extra 1 bag only for *G)
etc.
Airlines always treat their own elites better than their alliance partners do.
-S
It says that Premier Access if available to *S and *G. Does being *G provide any better Premier Access benefits than *S?
#3844
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,214
What about: http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...s/default.aspx?
It says that Premier Access if available to *S and *G. Does being *G provide any better Premier Access benefits than *S?
It says that Premier Access if available to *S and *G. Does being *G provide any better Premier Access benefits than *S?
*S and *G both get priority standby during IRROPS (*G probably has higher priority than *S). *G gets a number of additional benefiits that *S does not, including priority check-in (at the ticket counter), priority baggage handling (*S does not get the orange "Priority" tag), the aforementioned baggage allowance, and access to the United Club (and other *A lounges) when traveling on a *A flight (if your *G status is not with UA or US). More here: http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...ralliance.aspx
#3845
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,276
Premier Access means you get the priority lane at security and priority (Group 2) boarding. AFAIK, both *G and *S get that (FWIW, so do Explorer Visa card holders, so not too much special about that).
*S and *G both get priority standby during IRROPS (*G probably has higher priority than *S). *G gets a number of additional benefiits that *S does not, including priority check-in (at the ticket counter), priority baggage handling (*S does not get the orange "Priority" tag), the aforementioned baggage allowance, and access to the United Club (and other *A lounges) when traveling on a *A flight (if your *G status is not with UA or US). More here: http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...ralliance.aspx
*S and *G both get priority standby during IRROPS (*G probably has higher priority than *S). *G gets a number of additional benefiits that *S does not, including priority check-in (at the ticket counter), priority baggage handling (*S does not get the orange "Priority" tag), the aforementioned baggage allowance, and access to the United Club (and other *A lounges) when traveling on a *A flight (if your *G status is not with UA or US). More here: http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...ralliance.aspx
What is the difference between priority baggage handling (*G benefit) and premier access priority baggage handling (*S and *G benefit via premier access)?
What is the difference between priority check-in (*G benefit) and premier access check-in (*G and *S benefit via premier access)?
The link I gave essentially says that there isn't really that much difference being a non-UA *G/*S flying UA metal.
#3846
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,214
Huh?
What is the difference between priority baggage handling (*G benefit) and premier access priority baggage handling (*S and *G benefit via premier access)?
What is the difference between priority check-in (*G benefit) and premier access check-in (*G and *S benefit via premier access)?
The link I gave essentially says that there isn't really that much difference being a non-UA *G/*S flying UA metal.
What is the difference between priority baggage handling (*G benefit) and premier access priority baggage handling (*S and *G benefit via premier access)?
What is the difference between priority check-in (*G benefit) and premier access check-in (*G and *S benefit via premier access)?
The link I gave essentially says that there isn't really that much difference being a non-UA *G/*S flying UA metal.
I would trust the link I posted above the one you posted, as mine is very specific. The one you posted is more like generic marketing-speak.
But believe whichever one you want, and if you end up flying UA as a *S, please post back your experiences.
#3847
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,281
Huh?
What is the difference between priority baggage handling (*G benefit) and premier access priority baggage handling (*S and *G benefit via premier access)?
What is the difference between priority check-in (*G benefit) and premier access check-in (*G and *S benefit via premier access)?
The link I gave essentially says that there isn't really that much difference being a non-UA *G/*S flying UA metal.
What is the difference between priority baggage handling (*G benefit) and premier access priority baggage handling (*S and *G benefit via premier access)?
What is the difference between priority check-in (*G benefit) and premier access check-in (*G and *S benefit via premier access)?
The link I gave essentially says that there isn't really that much difference being a non-UA *G/*S flying UA metal.
UA provides non-UA *S/*G the same checkin and security screening access as its own Gold/Silver folks and it is the same for Gold or Silver.
Presently boarding is Boarding Group 2 for both UA & non_UA *G/*S. But this has varied in the past and may again in the future. Sometime Gold/*G have been in a separate BG ahead of Silver/*S.
The baggage allowance for Silver/*S and Gold/*G are different. Non-UA *G get lounge access, *S don't. -- so there are atleast two differences.
Of course UA Gold/Silver get a number of benefits on UA flights that non-UA *S/*G does not get -- CPU, E+ access, ... In case of irrops GS>1K>Plat>Gold/*G>Silver/*S.
... More here: http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...ralliance.aspx
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 7, 2013 at 8:02 pm
#3848
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Houston, Tx
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 96
So finance and I booked on reward tickets from BCN-YYZ-IAH for our honeymoon. We booked in Saver Award Business class. We are business from BCN-YYZ and then cargo from YYZ to IAH. When we booked the trip the YYZ-IAH leg didnt have business on the plane they have since switched planes and now have business class available. Availability shows one saver award seat available, if I call united will they allow us to switch one of the tickets to Business? Or do they just say tough luck wasn't an option when you booked so not one now. There are no more saver awards from BCN-YYZ so I cannot just rebook. Thanks
#3849
Formerly known as fsa_ea
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS/1MM,AS 75k,NK GLD,AA 2MM,DL 2MM,LH FT,AY PLT,IC RA,FMT LT PLT,HYT GLB,HLT DIA,MRT GLD,HRTZ PC
Posts: 2,231
Does the online standby list include passengers who are confirmed without a seat assignment? I'm guessing no, but I really have no clue.
#3850
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,276
To your two questions -- no difference.
UA provides non-UA *S/*G the same checkin and security screening access as its own Gold/Silver folks and it is the same for Gold or Silver.
Presently boarding is Boarding Group 2 for both UA & non_UA *G/*S. But this has varied in the past and may again in the future. Sometime Gold/*G have been in a separate BG ahead of Silver/*S.
The baggage allowance for Silver/*S and Gold/*G are different. Non-UA *G get lounge access, *S don't. -- so there are atleast two differences.
Of course UA Gold/Silver get a number of benefits on UA flights that non-UA *S/*G does not get -- CPU, E+ access, ... In case of irrops GS>1K>Plat>Gold/*G>Silver/*S.
That link is a re-statement of the general *G/*S benefits (and what UA's Gold/Silver should expect) and not specific to UA's treatment of non-UA *G/*S.
UA provides non-UA *S/*G the same checkin and security screening access as its own Gold/Silver folks and it is the same for Gold or Silver.
Presently boarding is Boarding Group 2 for both UA & non_UA *G/*S. But this has varied in the past and may again in the future. Sometime Gold/*G have been in a separate BG ahead of Silver/*S.
The baggage allowance for Silver/*S and Gold/*G are different. Non-UA *G get lounge access, *S don't. -- so there are atleast two differences.
Of course UA Gold/Silver get a number of benefits on UA flights that non-UA *S/*G does not get -- CPU, E+ access, ... In case of irrops GS>1K>Plat>Gold/*G>Silver/*S.
That link is a re-statement of the general *G/*S benefits (and what UA's Gold/Silver should expect) and not specific to UA's treatment of non-UA *G/*S.
3 bag (*G) vs 1 bag (*S) and lounge (*G) vs no lounge (*S) don't really make any difference for me.
---
Cargo?
#3851
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,461
But to answer the question, I would think a phone call could get you a Biz seat, but only one if there's only one open.
EmailKid
#3853
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,461
#3854
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,281
#3855
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Houston, Tx
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 96
Didn't see your response. Phone call worked, didnt take to long figured it would have taken 30 minutes to wait on hold so didn't want to do it if it was a waste of time. To bad they only had one spot so the finance gets the business class and I will be stuck in the back but one spot is better then nothing. Thanks for the help.