Mandatory E+ Purchase?
 

Son bought a United economy ticket, but did not reserve his seat. When got to airport, was told that all economy seats were gone, so he had to pay to sit in economy plus. Anyone have this experience before? If so, how handled?

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

No, one does not have to pay for EconomyPlus.

If all the Economy seats are taken, he can go on a list of folks who need seats. After no-shows are processed, he would have gotten a seat. If only EconomyPlus remained, he would have been given that for free.

It sounds like he may have misunderstood what happened, or the agent was a bit too aggressive in selling E+. Usually they'll say that the only thing they can confirm are E+ seats for $, or he can wait until the gate to get his seat.

He will be assigned a seat at the gate. CI agent may attempt to sell you an E+ seat, but there's no way he can say " buy this E+ or you cannot board". Your son probably misunderstood the meaning of "all economy seats are gone."

Thanks, all. Live and learn.

United cannot force a ticketed passenger on a flight to purchase an E+ seat in order to fly. HOWEVER, they can hold back assigning seats to passengers up until all seat-assigned passengers have boarded. Unfortunately, not every passenger is flyer-savvy. And may think that THEY DO have to buy an E+ seat to get on board the aircraft. GAs need to be more clear and less deceptive when conveying this policy to passengers.

Yep, I agree with the other folks that this was probably a misunderstanding.

I have actually used this a few times to get a free E+ seat, by purposefully not choosing a seat on flights that I doubt will fill completely. I think I'm 3 for 3 on getting a free E+ seat, but it's always been on regional jets :) When I've done it, I've always gotten a seat assignment when I checked-in online and the assignments were in E+. The one time I got an E+ aisle, I was able to get a United Club agent to switch me to a confirmed E+ window without needing to pay.

Keep in mind, those without seat assignments are likely on the top of the list to IDB if the flight is oversold.

yes but given the relatively low IDB levels that is a low risk (and a health compensation - which might be of interest to those attempting to avoid E+ fees). Nevertheless, probably a strategy to avoid in peak holiday season or must be there flight.

Yes, but not for the reason they don't have a seat - it's because they're one of the last to buy tickets and are not elite.

Correct, the lack of seat increases the likelihood of IDB not the reverse. Like WineCountryUA said, I wouldn't worry about the IDB too much since is so unlikely to happen. Just something to keep in mind if you find yourself without a seat at check-in and have to be somewhere.