How Do I Avoid Group 5 Boarding?
Jan 15, 2012 | 12:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Carlsbad, CA, USA
Programs: SPG: Platinum
Posts: 140
How Do I Avoid Group 5 Boarding?
I am no longer elite on UA. I am booking a ticket SAN-ORD-CLD in February. I have always been elite and sat in E+, so I have no idea how they board or where I should choose a seat.
Would a window in the back get me on sooner than an aisle behind the exit row?
Assistance appreciated.
Would a window in the back get me on sooner than an aisle behind the exit row?
Assistance appreciated.
Jan 15, 2012 | 12:29 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 83
Check in luggage
Be prepared to checkin your luggage. Normally all groups ones are united credit card holders. Etc. Group two are window seat passengers, group three are middle seat and group four are aisle seat. Not so sure where five is...
Jan 15, 2012 | 1:12 pm
#5
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 72,643
How to avoid group 5? Book a UA ticket, since UA only goes to 4 for boarding zones. 
Windows in the back will be zone 2, though depending on the flight you may still end up boarding after half the passengers (as elites will board first, then pax in E+ / credit card holders / Premier Access pax will be zone 1). You can always buy Premier Access for the flight.
Windows in the back will be zone 2, though depending on the flight you may still end up boarding after half the passengers (as elites will board first, then pax in E+ / credit card holders / Premier Access pax will be zone 1). You can always buy Premier Access for the flight.
Jan 15, 2012 | 2:59 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 6,095
On UA metal, your window seat doesn't have to be in the back, as all "regular" window seats are seating area 2. You can be as close to the front as you can get. Not sure about CO metal, though.
Jan 15, 2012 | 4:38 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,175
Also consider a credit card that provides an early-boarding "benefit."
Jan 15, 2012 | 10:41 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: "And I'm in Colorado, when I'm not in some hotel..."
Programs: UA Global Services, IHC Plantinum, HHonors Diamond, Emerald Elite
Posts: 103
Best of luck to you. I am Premiere Exec. now and unless I want to stand in line for at least a half an hour before boarding begins I often have to go several rows behind my seat just to find overhead space for my one small computer bag I carry on. Granted, I am flying out of a UA hub and often to another hub so maybe that is the difference. I think Rcling28 said it best "be prepared to check your luggage"