May 21, 2013, 10:43 am
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]
Jan 7, 2013, 8:10 pm
#91
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA-gld HH-gld Marriot-gld Hertz-Pres Circle
Posts: 48
If I was a full F intl passenger & was made to wait in line behind 20-50 others that would be the last UA would see of me. You don't treat full F (GF) passengers this way. EVERY other airline in the world treats these rare customers like Gold. The price of a r/t tkt in GF From SYDNEY-JFK is over 4 times what some 1K's spend all year.
I hope for UA's sake they re think this and board GF w GS during special pre boarding.
I hope for UA's sake they re think this and board GF w GS during special pre boarding.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:10 pm
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Why does the system accept a boarding group that has not been called without an agent override?
Jan 7, 2013, 8:11 pm
#93
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: LOL, ROFL & ...
Posts: 37
Boy am I glad I made Plat this year ... If I were still a Gold and had to fight in the same group with the Explorer card holders, I'd be furious.
Great upgrade for cardholders, big downgrade for Gold & Silver.
.. And I do relish that the 1K's have to deal with us Unclean Plats.
Great upgrade for cardholders, big downgrade for Gold & Silver.
.. And I do relish that the 1K's have to deal with us Unclean Plats.
I flew just over 25 segments last year as a no-status having Explorer card holder and was usually the only one in boarding group 4 on the flight.
You'll get over it.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:11 pm
#94
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: WAS
Programs: AA PLT, Honors Diamond, Global Entry
Posts: 477
As a Gold, this is mildly annoying to me, but I've really never understood why anybody who doesn't haul around big carryons cares about their boarding group.
Unless I have a seat F or J (in which case I like to board early to enjoy a PDB), I actually prefer to board last, just as GF pax do on int'l flights when they are escorted from theIFL to the gate after J/C pax have boarded. I simply plan to show up at the gate ~17m before departure, and 90% of the time I'm in my E seat within 3 minutes of scanning my BP (assuming the flight isn't delayed). And Golds still get free checked bags, so when I need more stuff than I can fit in my under-the-seat carryon, I check my bag.
Unless I have a seat F or J (in which case I like to board early to enjoy a PDB), I actually prefer to board last, just as GF pax do on int'l flights when they are escorted from theIFL to the gate after J/C pax have boarded. I simply plan to show up at the gate ~17m before departure, and 90% of the time I'm in my E seat within 3 minutes of scanning my BP (assuming the flight isn't delayed). And Golds still get free checked bags, so when I need more stuff than I can fit in my under-the-seat carryon, I check my bag.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:11 pm
#95
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
For those saying the sUA boarding process works, I disagree. The UA process was a total zoo unless you can use the red carpet. Have you ever tried to board a domestic 777 flight at IAD? It was horrendous. The F/J/GS/1K line snaked all the way to the opposite gate area and non elites were cramping the Y lane making it all more frustrating for 1Ps and *A Golds. The old process was awful unless you are an 1K+ then it is tolerable most of the time.
The only part with this change I do not agree with is the CC being able to board with Golds.
I think CC holders should be moved to the first Y boarding zone. That way they will get to board before the "mass" but after loyal customers.
The other key component is clear signage and clearly display the real time boarding progress on the GIDS.
The only part with this change I do not agree with is the CC being able to board with Golds.
I think CC holders should be moved to the first Y boarding zone. That way they will get to board before the "mass" but after loyal customers.
The other key component is clear signage and clearly display the real time boarding progress on the GIDS.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:11 pm
#96
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: 67,145
So if I show up at the gate 3 minutes after boarding starts and the blue carpet is 100 pax deep with everyone with a Chase credit card, *G, *S, etc., can I use the regular lane to bypass the scrum? 
Why, why, why UA must you screw with the boarding process on what seems a monthly basis? No wonder you get poor feedback from pax about the process: it changes too frequently. No sooner does one get used to the current idiosyncrasies than do you put the whole mess in a blender and hit "puree" just to see what comes out again.
Why, why, why UA must you screw with the boarding process on what seems a monthly basis? No wonder you get poor feedback from pax about the process: it changes too frequently. No sooner does one get used to the current idiosyncrasies than do you put the whole mess in a blender and hit "puree" just to see what comes out again.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:12 pm
#97
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN/OGG
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 1,482
If I was a full F intl passenger & was made to wait in line behind 20-50 others that would be the last UA would see of me. You don't treat full F (GF) passengers this way. EVERY other airline in the world treats these rare customers like Gold. The price of a r/t tkt in GF From SYDNEY-JFK is over 4 times what some 1K's spend all year.
I hope for UA's sake they re think this and board GF w GS during special pre boarding.
I hope for UA's sake they re think this and board GF w GS during special pre boarding.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:14 pm
#98
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Priority Boarding2
There's no need to rush out of the lounge anymore. With priority boarding you can enjoy the freedom of boarding at your convenience along with First and Business Class passengers.
There's no need to rush out of the lounge anymore. With priority boarding you can enjoy the freedom of boarding at your convenience along with First and Business Class passengers.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:15 pm
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,646
Hi cesco.g, yes, once the revised gate layouts are in place (currently planned for March/April), the Premier Access lanes will serve two purposes. First, they will lower the overall number of customers in each lane (compared to the single lane used today). Second, they will also serve as a bypass lane for customers in those groups who arrive at the gate after general boarding has begun.
Hi CDKing, good eye. Customers who have Global Service status will continue to be invited to pre-board, but, their boarding passes are printed with Group 1 in case they arrive after pre-boarding begins.
Hi Plane-is-home, we know that the success of any change lies in consistent execution. We’re placing great focus on this and will work hard to get it right.
Hi jackal, we couldn’t agree more. Improving signage and using gate area displays to clearly reflect the current boarding group is also part of the plan. You’ll begin to notice these changes as well over the course of the next few month.
Hi Plane-is-home, I’m glad to hear your checking all the right sources. We wanted to share this information with those of you here first. But, we'll also be putting this on our Hub site later tomorrow at the same time that the actual change to the number of boarding groups happens.
Shannon
Hi CDKing, good eye. Customers who have Global Service status will continue to be invited to pre-board, but, their boarding passes are printed with Group 1 in case they arrive after pre-boarding begins.
Hi Plane-is-home, we know that the success of any change lies in consistent execution. We’re placing great focus on this and will work hard to get it right.
Hi jackal, we couldn’t agree more. Improving signage and using gate area displays to clearly reflect the current boarding group is also part of the plan. You’ll begin to notice these changes as well over the course of the next few month.
Hi Plane-is-home, I’m glad to hear your checking all the right sources. We wanted to share this information with those of you here first. But, we'll also be putting this on our Hub site later tomorrow at the same time that the actual change to the number of boarding groups happens.
Shannon
you reap what you sow, UA, you reap what you sow.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:16 pm
#100
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: LOL, ROFL & ...
Posts: 37
As a 25 segment Explorer card holder last year, I was usually the only one in group 4, which is reserved for the cardholders.
The extra minute or so to call and wait for boarding group 4 was delaying your flight anyway. You should be happy.
Also, the card holders are not frequent UA flyers. If they were, they wouldn't hold the card. I cancelled the card after making Silver.
The extra minute or so to call and wait for boarding group 4 was delaying your flight anyway. You should be happy.
Also, the card holders are not frequent UA flyers. If they were, they wouldn't hold the card. I cancelled the card after making Silver.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:17 pm
#101
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 41
For those saying the sUA boarding process works, I disagree. The UA process was a total zoo unless you can use the red carpet. Have you ever tried to board a domestic 777 flight at IAD? It was horrendous. The F/J/GS/1K line snaked all the way to the opposite gate area and non elites were cramping the Y lane making it all more frustrating for 1Ps and *A Golds.
The only part with this change I do not agree with is the CC being able to board with Golds.
I think CC holders should be moved to the first Y boarding zone. That way they will get to board before the "mass" but after loyal customers.
The other key component is clear signage and clearly display the real time boarding progress on the GIDS.
The only part with this change I do not agree with is the CC being able to board with Golds.
I think CC holders should be moved to the first Y boarding zone. That way they will get to board before the "mass" but after loyal customers.
The other key component is clear signage and clearly display the real time boarding progress on the GIDS.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:17 pm
#102
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA-gld HH-gld Marriot-gld Hertz-Pres Circle
Posts: 48
Jan 7, 2013, 8:18 pm
#103
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: SFO/LIS
Programs: UA 1MM GS, Delta Skymiles Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 145
Priority boarding is not marketed by the Alliance as a Star Silver benefit. Priority boarding is marketed by the Alliance as a Star Gold benefit:
http://www.staralliance.com/en/benef...silver-status/
http://www.staralliance.com/en/benef...silver-status/
[ This has two sides of course- it's either a plus for *S on UA or (sort of) a minus for *G on UA ]
Jan 7, 2013, 8:18 pm
#104
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
For those saying the sUA boarding process works, I disagree. The UA process was a total zoo unless you can use the red carpet. Have you ever tried to board a domestic 777 flight at IAD? It was horrendous. The F/J/GS/1K line snaked all the way to the opposite gate area and non elites were cramping the Y lane making it all more frustrating for 1Ps and *A Golds. The old process was awful unless you are an 1K+ then it is tolerable most of the time.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:19 pm
#105
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ANP
Programs: UA 1k, Marriott Plat, HH gold, Avis/Hertz Pres
Posts: 1,408
So what's the point of gold then? Unless you fly intl then no benefit at all anymore.
I would of done a couple mileage runs to platinum if this was going to be the case. A heads up to us getting ....ed would be nice next time.
I would of done a couple mileage runs to platinum if this was going to be the case. A heads up to us getting ....ed would be nice next time.