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, 8:20 pm
#106
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
Happy as heck i hit Platinum in December.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:20 pm
#107
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
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.
- never have to worry about my luggage going missing
- don't have to wait 30 to 45 mins for checked baggage (as is typical at many airports)
- have more flexibility/confidence during in-route IRROPS, VDB, and SDC.
So, yeah, boarding early for overhead space is a big deal when I'm in Y.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:21 pm
#108
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SNA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 239
Spectacular... It seems that IT is not alone in their ineptitude.
On one hand, I'm sure glad I hit Plat last year.
On the other, I'm on track for 1k this year and wondering which no/low annual fee card holders I'll be boarding or battling for upgrades with next year.
On one hand, I'm sure glad I hit Plat last year.
On the other, I'm on track for 1k this year and wondering which no/low annual fee card holders I'll be boarding or battling for upgrades with next year.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:22 pm
#109
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ANP
Programs: UA 1k, Marriott Plat, HH gold, Avis/Hertz Pres
Posts: 1,408
Damn just realized how much uaco has totally scred the 1mm crew EVEN more!
Jan 7, 2013, 8:22 pm
#110
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Boston
Programs: UA 1K, SPG
Posts: 1,577
I'm optimistic here. Let's see some data.
IF there is consistent enforcement and IF there is clear lane and BP differentiation, that will make the difference.
Seriously, people here complaining about Plats and CC Holders... how much extra time will that really cost you? You'll still get your overhead bin. With consistent enforcement and clear differentiation, I'll bet we'll all get on the plane faster.
IF there is consistent enforcement and IF there is clear lane and BP differentiation, that will make the difference.
Seriously, people here complaining about Plats and CC Holders... how much extra time will that really cost you? You'll still get your overhead bin. With consistent enforcement and clear differentiation, I'll bet we'll all get on the plane faster.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:23 pm
#111
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
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, 8:28 pm
#112
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
Jan 7, 2013, 8:29 pm
#113
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
The problem is one of the most vocal group of upset travelers in the last 11 months has been the sUA 1Ks. They truly believe they are above everyone else and that's why they shuddered when they had to think they had to share the magic carpet with anyone else. They don't care what the rest of the plane had to deal with.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:31 pm
#114
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
Boarding Process Changes, Starting Jan. 8-9th, 2013
Only 4 more iterations to go before we are back at UAUA policy.
This new one is a slap to Gold. They should board first on the Y lane unencumbered.
And the idea that Plat=1K shows who unfortunately calls the shots.
But at least we can still earn RPUs while giving money to other Star carriers!
This new one is a slap to Gold. They should board first on the Y lane unencumbered.
And the idea that Plat=1K shows who unfortunately calls the shots.
But at least we can still earn RPUs while giving money to other Star carriers!
Jan 7, 2013, 8:31 pm
#115
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,646
I'm optimistic here. Let's see some data.
IF there is consistent enforcement and IF there is clear lane and BP differentiation, that will make the difference.
Seriously, people here complaining about Plats and CC Holders... how much extra time will that really cost you? You'll still get your overhead bin. With consistent enforcement and clear differentiation, I'll bet we'll all get on the plane faster.
IF there is consistent enforcement and IF there is clear lane and BP differentiation, that will make the difference.
Seriously, people here complaining about Plats and CC Holders... how much extra time will that really cost you? You'll still get your overhead bin. With consistent enforcement and clear differentiation, I'll bet we'll all get on the plane faster.
this.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:32 pm
#116
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CA
Programs: AA-EXP, National Exec. Elite, Hilton Gold, GE
Posts: 323
How can an airline make such a Bass Aackwards decision?
Sure, I get the need for a smooth and easy transition to a new boarding system. However, it's simply not justified when the new system sounds worse than James Earl Jones singing Gangnam Style. If it's to attract more CC signups, I can see the ad already: you get to board with some of our best customers
To be fair, it only "sounds" worse on paper. There are still more details to release in a coming months as Shannon said. My money is on turnstiles with trap doors that teleport out-of-liners to the back of the line. At another gate. In another airport. In another country.
Then again, I'm never good at gambling.
Last edited by UAL1200; Jan 7, 2013 at 8:38 pm
Jan 7, 2013, 8:32 pm
#117
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Radisson Premium
Posts: 6,638
Shannon, does this also apply for international flights?
I'm in Business Class on 1/9 on a 747 --- If I understand this correctly, as a 1K, I will be boarding with A) the entire GF cabin, B) the entire BF cabin, C) fellow 1Ks, and D) Plats.
Isn't this (assuming I am reading/understanding correctly) going to cause *more* crowding at the gates?
Thumbs down.
I'm in Business Class on 1/9 on a 747 --- If I understand this correctly, as a 1K, I will be boarding with A) the entire GF cabin, B) the entire BF cabin, C) fellow 1Ks, and D) Plats.
Isn't this (assuming I am reading/understanding correctly) going to cause *more* crowding at the gates?
Thumbs down.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:33 pm
#118
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: United MM (formerly 1K), Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 551
While I expect a larger scrum for the elite passengers, the preloading of three lanes should help boarding efficiency and be quicker than the PMUA process of having two lanes preloaded.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:34 pm
#119
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,644
It's just that some of us are slow to figure it out, including legacy Million Flyers like me.
Money talks. Loyalty walks.
What's in your wallet?
Money talks. Loyalty walks.
What's in your wallet?
Jan 7, 2013, 8:35 pm
#120
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
The problem is one of the most vocal group of upset travelers in the last 11 months has been the sUA 1Ks. They truly believe they are above everyone else and that's why they shuddered when they had to think they had to share the magic carpet with anyone else. They don't care what the rest of the plane had to deal with.