Last edit by: aacharya
Source: https://hub.united.com/en-us/News/Co...g-process.aspx
Pre-Boarding
Premier Access Boarding
*A Star Alliance Silver who is not a Premier Silver is not eligible for Premier Access boarding.
General boarding (Window Seats, then Middle Seats, then Aisle)
Note: If you’re traveling with a companion and one of you has a higher boarding status, you both may board with the earlier group.
Note: Self Boarding Gates are being tested at the following gates...
sUA Boarding Times by Aircraft (AFA)
Pre-Boarding
- Customers with Disabilities
- Global Services
- Uniformed Military Personnel
- Families with Children Age Two and Under
Premier Access Boarding
- Group 1: Premier 1K, Premier Platinum, BusinessFirst, and First.
- Group 2: Premier Gold, Star Gold, Premier Silver*, MileagePlus Presidential Plus, Club, Explorer and Awards, purchased Premier Access
*A Star Alliance Silver who is not a Premier Silver is not eligible for Premier Access boarding.
General boarding (Window Seats, then Middle Seats, then Aisle)
- Group 3 - Window Seats
- Group 4 - Middle Seats (Aisle Seats on UA Express)
- Group 5 - Aisle Seats
Note: If you’re traveling with a companion and one of you has a higher boarding status, you both may board with the earlier group.
Note: Self Boarding Gates are being tested at the following gates...
- IAH - Gate C25/C26 - See Post 2960, Includes YouTube video from CO777DAL
- IAH - Gate E4 - Old test from pmCO days, See Thread Here
- BOS - Self boarding gates are now back in *LIMITED* use at least at gates B25 and B26
sUA Boarding Times by Aircraft (AFA)
United's Current Boarding Process (with Wiki) [Revised, May 2013]
#3016
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: 67,138
737-800 DEN-ANC last night:
20 minutes from the first person in Group 1 to the last person to board the aircraft on a 95%-ish full flight. There was a bit of a pause at the end before a small group of 10 or so got on--maybe standbys or latecomers or something, so I'd say the actual boarding process (of a solid line of people coming down the jetway) took more like 16-18 minutes.
I was in F, and I will say that the line of people seemed to be in pretty constant motion--people weren't really standing still in the aisle waiting for traffic to clear up ahead.
20 minutes from the first person in Group 1 to the last person to board the aircraft on a 95%-ish full flight. There was a bit of a pause at the end before a small group of 10 or so got on--maybe standbys or latecomers or something, so I'd say the actual boarding process (of a solid line of people coming down the jetway) took more like 16-18 minutes.
I was in F, and I will say that the line of people seemed to be in pretty constant motion--people weren't really standing still in the aisle waiting for traffic to clear up ahead.
At ANC we boarded a nearly-full PMUA 752 in 14 minutes on Sunday afternoon. We still left late (MX issue). No GS boarded, and Group 1 was fairly small.
#3017
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
yes, either thru design (an agreement with Chase?) or by mistake, UA either does not view the group 2 insanity as a problem or does not want to fix it. I am not hopeful in the short term because, we have seen in other areas, the new management does not acknowledge errors very well. AA seems to handle the credit card people more reasonably; giving them priority, but behind elites. I remain confused. The new revenue requirements will just make group 2 even larger. Not fun.
#3018
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 317
I remember a time when I was happy to board as a premier. The cc holders should definitely be after elites.
#3019
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Looking for guidance
#3020
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: MS Coast/China
Programs: UA GS, 1.5 MM
Posts: 201
OK. I am GS- what is consensus on proper boarding protocol when two, three or four FC non-GS PAX are standing in the queue ahead of me? Is a polite "excuse me" sufficient? Am I "entitled" to go ahead [hate that word-sorry]?Last week, while trying to board EWR/MXP flight, I did that and got an ugly comment that "I'm in Business".
Looking for guidance
Looking for guidance
#3021
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,392
My new modus operandi: If the GA isn't too busy before boarding, I quietly ask, "Where would you prefer GS to wait for boarding?" More times than not I'm asked to wait somewhere that's not in the Group 1 line, and the GA just motions me over when it's time. This works especially well in ORD for international widebodies, where sometimes there's also a dedicated GS agent who forms a separate queue.
#3022
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: California
Programs: American, SWA, United, IHG,Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,843
OK. I am GS- what is consensus on proper boarding protocol when two, three or four FC non-GS PAX are standing in the queue ahead of me? Is a polite "excuse me" sufficient? Am I "entitled" to go ahead [hate that word-sorry]?Last week, while trying to board EWR/MXP flight, I did that and got an ugly comment that "I'm in Business".
Looking for guidance
Looking for guidance
I would reply and say "then you must know that GS boards before business"
#3023
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Programs: AA EXP, UA GLD, Bonvoy Titan, HH Dia, WoH Exp
Posts: 2,673
OK. I am GS- what is consensus on proper boarding protocol when two, three or four FC non-GS PAX are standing in the queue ahead of me? Is a polite "excuse me" sufficient? Am I "entitled" to go ahead [hate that word-sorry]?Last week, while trying to board EWR/MXP flight, I did that and got an ugly comment that "I'm in Business".
Looking for guidance
Looking for guidance
#3024
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,039
United's Current Boarding Process (with Wiki) [Revised, May 2013]
Is it really that big of a deal? Can you not live with being the 5th or 6th person to board?
#3025
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: WAS
Programs: AA PLT, Honors Diamond, Global Entry
Posts: 477
Yesterday I flew US Airways Express, where I'm zone 1 as a *G - ahead of US Air's own cardholders. (Granted, I didn't need early boarding, as my bag doesn't fit overhead on an E-Jet.)
Compare this to UA, whose Golds board with cardholders and *S. It really stings when an alliance partner treats you better than your own airline.
Compare this to UA, whose Golds board with cardholders and *S. It really stings when an alliance partner treats you better than your own airline.
#3026
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: United
Posts: 1
22 flights this year and boarding group five
I just started business travel last year and feel really burned by this new procedure. I called customer service and actually received a mailed letter stating I have immediate silver status. Issue is, they didn't actually give me silver in the system so I'm stuck in group 5 and checking my bag every time.
I'll get silver soon enough but I'm really wondering if United is the Best choice, I played the customer support circles this morning and between the one lady that immediately transferred me and the other girl who didn't know how the mute button worked on her headset I'm concerned on what will happen to me if I ever get stranded.
My 1K friend referred me to this site, does anyone know a 'good' cust support number to call to get this worked out? This new boarding policy is adding a few extra hours to my flights when the opt to fully check the bag and I'm strongly considering just getting the delta card and jumping ship.
I'll get silver soon enough but I'm really wondering if United is the Best choice, I played the customer support circles this morning and between the one lady that immediately transferred me and the other girl who didn't know how the mute button worked on her headset I'm concerned on what will happen to me if I ever get stranded.
My 1K friend referred me to this site, does anyone know a 'good' cust support number to call to get this worked out? This new boarding policy is adding a few extra hours to my flights when the opt to fully check the bag and I'm strongly considering just getting the delta card and jumping ship.
#3027
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
I just started business travel last year and feel really burned by this new procedure. I called customer service and actually received a mailed letter stating I have immediate silver status. Issue is, they didn't actually give me silver in the system so I'm stuck in group 5 and checking my bag every time.
My 1K friend referred me to this site, does anyone know a 'good' cust support number to call to get this worked out? This new boarding policy is adding a few extra hours to my flights when the opt to fully check the bag and I'm strongly considering just getting the delta card and jumping ship.
My 1K friend referred me to this site, does anyone know a 'good' cust support number to call to get this worked out? This new boarding policy is adding a few extra hours to my flights when the opt to fully check the bag and I'm strongly considering just getting the delta card and jumping ship.
As for being Silver, what happens when you look up your status in your account? If not Silver there, then call the MileagePlus Service CEnter.
As for "adding a few extra hours" - that's for you to mitigate. Just gate-check your bag upfront if the flight is full - the GA will thank you for it, and you save the $25 you're paying now (if not being treated as Silver).
nb: I'm a 1K, and I check bags every single time. Adds at most 10 minutes to my check-in time upfront, and 20-25 at the end. Half an hour total.
#3028
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
I just started business travel last year and feel really burned by this new procedure. I called customer service and actually received a mailed letter stating I have immediate silver status. Issue is, they didn't actually give me silver in the system so I'm stuck in group 5 and checking my bag every time.
I'll get silver soon enough but I'm really wondering if United is the Best choice, I played the customer support circles this morning and between the one lady that immediately transferred me and the other girl who didn't know how the mute button worked on her headset I'm concerned on what will happen to me if I ever get stranded.
My 1K friend referred me to this site, does anyone know a 'good' cust support number to call to get this worked out? This new boarding policy is adding a few extra hours to my flights when the opt to fully check the bag and I'm strongly considering just getting the delta card and jumping ship.
I'll get silver soon enough but I'm really wondering if United is the Best choice, I played the customer support circles this morning and between the one lady that immediately transferred me and the other girl who didn't know how the mute button worked on her headset I'm concerned on what will happen to me if I ever get stranded.
My 1K friend referred me to this site, does anyone know a 'good' cust support number to call to get this worked out? This new boarding policy is adding a few extra hours to my flights when the opt to fully check the bag and I'm strongly considering just getting the delta card and jumping ship.
How would the old system have treated you better? What does it have to do with checking a bag?
You should call again about the Silver thing. But I don't quite understand how not getting something that was a free accommodation, and that most airlines wouldn't give you, has you so hot and bothered.
If you want BG2, you can just get the credit card.
#3029
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,753
#3030
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
I don't mind walking around the Group 1 line
Some of you may simply think that I am just one of those who feels "entitled" and so be it. It is my opinion that having earned my GS status by traveling too much, missing family obligations, having to hear that my dog died over the phone because I couldn't be there that if I am given the opportunity to pre-board, I take it.
I like being able to NOT have to wait in line, walk on comfortably and place my things where I want them.
When there is a queue forming, I try to talk with a GA and ask if they prefer me to stand back or close to the front, or if I should approach when they make the announcement. Otherwise, I simply walk past the people that have lined up and ask nicely if any of them are GS and if not, I say "excuse me" and I walk through.
I will say that in the airports that I frequent often (EWR, LGA, JFK and LHR) the GS agents know me by name or face and actually wave me up or come get me and pre-board (often before the announcement that pre-boarding has begun).
I like being able to NOT have to wait in line, walk on comfortably and place my things where I want them.
When there is a queue forming, I try to talk with a GA and ask if they prefer me to stand back or close to the front, or if I should approach when they make the announcement. Otherwise, I simply walk past the people that have lined up and ask nicely if any of them are GS and if not, I say "excuse me" and I walk through.
I will say that in the airports that I frequent often (EWR, LGA, JFK and LHR) the GS agents know me by name or face and actually wave me up or come get me and pre-board (often before the announcement that pre-boarding has begun).
OK. I am GS- what is consensus on proper boarding protocol when two, three or four FC non-GS PAX are standing in the queue ahead of me? Is a polite "excuse me" sufficient? Am I "entitled" to go ahead [hate that word-sorry]?Last week, while trying to board EWR/MXP flight, I did that and got an ugly comment that "I'm in Business".
Looking for guidance
Looking for guidance