How many people do you see upgrade to E+ on board?
Feb 25, 2013, 8:09 am
#16
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
I've used the mobile website more than a few times to "suggest" to the person in the middle seat next to me that they might find it more comfortable in the aisle seat 2 rows back, which is free at the moment and will probably stay that way...
So far I'm about 3/4 for it working.
So far I'm about 3/4 for it working.
The 21B traveler had a large under seat bag, that he was concerned wouldnt fit into the space in 21A, but would in 21B.
So he had a good reason to sit in a middle.
My motivation was both selfish, I wanted more space, and also altruistic, since 21A cleared to F, 21B would benefit.
As expected, 21B stayed empty, he got his underseat space, and an empty middle.
Feb 25, 2013, 11:15 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, UA Nobody, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,372
What do you mean by "high-end members", surely anyone who is an Elite would already have E+?
Feb 25, 2013, 11:37 am
#19
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Norway, Maine
Programs: United Silver and HH Diamond
Posts: 1,474
I actually went to the gate agent once... 21A was open, 21B full and 21C was me. I asked her if she could move 21B into A.. She gladly did it.
The 21B traveler had a large under seat bag, that he was concerned wouldnt fit into the space in 21A, but would in 21B.
So he had a good reason to sit in a middle.
My motivation was both selfish, I wanted more space, and also altruistic, since 21A cleared to F, 21B would benefit.
As expected, 21B stayed empty, he got his underseat space, and an empty middle.
The 21B traveler had a large under seat bag, that he was concerned wouldnt fit into the space in 21A, but would in 21B.
So he had a good reason to sit in a middle.
My motivation was both selfish, I wanted more space, and also altruistic, since 21A cleared to F, 21B would benefit.
As expected, 21B stayed empty, he got his underseat space, and an empty middle.
Feb 25, 2013, 11:41 am
#20
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,690
I also seen this a few times and even overheard a discussion after a intl flight where 2 girls were talking about E+ and "self upgrading"...
Feb 25, 2013, 11:47 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 1,478
I have seen on few international flights pax paid onboard to change to E+ seats. On a EWR-MUC flight last month, I saw a pax gave the FA his credit card to pay for 3 E+ exit row seats @ I believe $150 each.
I have noticed exCO FAs are more aggressive in protecting E+ seats than exUA FAs. Good for them.
I have noticed exCO FAs are more aggressive in protecting E+ seats than exUA FAs. Good for them.
Feb 25, 2013, 11:51 am
#22
Join Date: May 2009
Location: North Carolina
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Platinum Premier, National Executive Elite
Posts: 131
That's not true, I have been on several ERJ-145s sitting in the 12A the last few weeks and on more then occassion the FA notificied a person sitting in 12B/C that they had been assigned and would eithe rhave to pay for the seat upgrade or move to their assisgned seat.
Feb 25, 2013, 11:55 am
#23
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Philadelphia,PA
Programs: United 1K,Marriott Platinum Premier,IHC Platinum Ambassador,Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,898
In the last year ive seen the FA use the credit card reader twice to charge passengers on the plane to sit in Economy Plus..On several more ocassions ive seen passengers sneak into E+ during the flight and the FA will ask if they want to pay to sit there,almost always they move back to E-..It is amusing to see some reactions when they are noticed suddenly sitting there..I agree,E+ has monetary value and I agree with the FA when they ask encroachers to pay or get back to the seat they were assigned!
Feb 25, 2013, 12:13 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat, AS MVP, HH Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 1,848
It does happen. ORD-CDG, Mrs. PVDProf and I were in A,B in the E+ exit row on a 763. My SWU clears, so Mrs. PVDProf takes the lie-flat and I have an exit-row pair alone. After the door closes, a the FA brings a woman from the back and hands her back her credit card as she sits down next to me. "I just couldn't take it in the back [E-], so the ~$100 didn't seem like much." Although I was disappointed to lose the empty seat next to me, I just shrugged and said, "Yeah, I can't blame you."
I think this is a tactful way to make this point.
I think this is a tactful way to make this point.
Feb 25, 2013, 12:38 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Carolina
Programs: UA LT Gold, American Kettle, Hertz #1 Presidents Circle, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 927
Same for me. Multiple RJ145 flights were the FA asked me by name if I would be willing and able to help with the evacuation in the event of a emergency.
Feb 25, 2013, 12:42 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Feb 25, 2013, 1:06 pm
#27
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
While E+ is technically not a different class of service, as a practical matter there's no difference between moving yourself from E- to E+ than there is to moving yourself to F (or C on a 3-class).
I'm just as happy that FA's are protecting the brand as they're supposed to.
I'm just as happy that FA's are protecting the brand as they're supposed to.
Feb 25, 2013, 1:29 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: United Premier Gold, AirBerlin Gold, Starwood Gold, Avis Preferred, CBP Global Entry
Posts: 497
I've used the mobile website more than a few times to "suggest" to the person in the middle seat next to me that they might find it more comfortable in the aisle seat 2 rows back, which is free at the moment and will probably stay that way...
So far I'm about 3/4 for it working.
So far I'm about 3/4 for it working.
Feb 25, 2013, 1:42 pm
#30
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
I saw ~5 buy up when I flew EWR-OSL on Christmas Day.
I'm guessing you will most likely see a couple of these one medium-long haul flights and really not on anything < 2 hours.
I'm guessing you will most likely see a couple of these one medium-long haul flights and really not on anything < 2 hours.