Sep 2, 2016, 11:05 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
No E- seats available but E+ has seats, what will happen? Short answer: You will be assigned a seat at check-in, potentially in E+.
At times, those in non-Economy Plus (nicknamed E- on FT) will find nothing available for advance seat assignments. This could be for a couple of reasons, such as Silver elites have booked E- seats or UA may be blocking E- seats for gate assignments, especially to address family groups. Also the sales profile for E+/E- does not match the physical seatmap. UA sells economy as a single cabin, with E+/E- having the same fare classes. So UA will manage all economy sales as a single cabin and those without seat assignments will be handled at the Gate. If needed, seats in the E+ section will be used, at no additional cost, to seat the passenger.
Does this mean those without seat assignments are guaranteed or even most likely to get "free" E+? While may happen, it is far from a guaranteed. There are many reasons that E- seats will become available at the gate
Does it make sense if E- looks full (and E+ is open) not to make an seat assignment in hopes of getting "free" E+?
This may work but the risk is E- seats do open up at the gate and you get a terrible E- seat assignment. Of course, if your choice is already bad E- seats then there's much less downside.
How will the overflow (if that happens) be seated in E+ ?
There is no know proscribed process. Many GAs will fill E+ starting at the front and working back. Some, if there is enough space, will leave middles open. But there is nothing one can be guaranteed. Some passengers may try to request certain seats, including exit rows.
Preferred Seats
Preferred seats are free access at booking for all elites and certain corporate partners. That seating become free to anyone at check-in
At times, those in non-Economy Plus (nicknamed E- on FT) will find nothing available for advance seat assignments. This could be for a couple of reasons, such as Silver elites have booked E- seats or UA may be blocking E- seats for gate assignments, especially to address family groups. Also the sales profile for E+/E- does not match the physical seatmap. UA sells economy as a single cabin, with E+/E- having the same fare classes. So UA will manage all economy sales as a single cabin and those without seat assignments will be handled at the Gate. If needed, seats in the E+ section will be used, at no additional cost, to seat the passenger.
Does this mean those without seat assignments are guaranteed or even most likely to get "free" E+? While may happen, it is far from a guaranteed. There are many reasons that E- seats will become available at the gate
- Some E- passengers at check-in may take up UA’s E+ offer.
- UA Premier Silvers elites can move from E- to E+ for free at check-in.
- Preferred seating opens up to everyone at check-in
- No shows for personal reasons or disrupted travel plans will free up seats.
- If UA was blocking E- seats, they will become available at the gate,
Does it make sense if E- looks full (and E+ is open) not to make an seat assignment in hopes of getting "free" E+?
This may work but the risk is E- seats do open up at the gate and you get a terrible E- seat assignment. Of course, if your choice is already bad E- seats then there's much less downside.
How will the overflow (if that happens) be seated in E+ ?
There is no know proscribed process. Many GAs will fill E+ starting at the front and working back. Some, if there is enough space, will leave middles open. But there is nothing one can be guaranteed. Some passengers may try to request certain seats, including exit rows.
Preferred Seats
Preferred seats are free access at booking for all elites and certain corporate partners. That seating become free to anyone at check-in
No E- seats available but E+ has seats, what will happen?
Aug 12, 2019, 9:15 pm
#361
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
Not that they're allowed to share. And, this far in advance of the flight, it wouldn't do you any good anyway. Whatever the load is now, it'll be a lot heavier in a month.
If the seat assignment isn't worth C$22 or C$39 to you, that's fine -- that's your right, and nobody's going to question your choice. But, the consequence of that is that you may end up with a bad seat.
(As a way to judge what this flight might look like, check the seat maps for the corresponding flights on Tuesdays between now and your flight. For example, tomorrow morning's flight is almost full, and it's still 10 hours until departure).
The ExpertFlyer free tier offers seat alerts. You can sign up to get an email when a given seat becomes available.
Aug 13, 2019, 12:59 am
#362
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It wouldn't make any difference. If you end up paying for the same seat twice, one of them will be reimbursed after the fact. Usually it's even automatic (in other words: make a note to check about a week after you arrive).
Not that they're allowed to share. And, this far in advance of the flight, it wouldn't do you any good anyway. Whatever the load is now, it'll be a lot heavier in a month.
Sure, that's a great tactic. It's a great way to meet new and interesting people, none of whom will like you: your seat mates, who know that the seat next to them is supposed to be free, and the flight attendant who escorts you back to your ticketed seat when the seatmap she's carrying on her app doesn't match where people are actually sitting.
If the seat assignment isn't worth C$22 or C$39 to you, that's fine -- that's your right, and nobody's going to question your choice. But, the consequence of that is that you may end up with a bad seat.
(As a way to judge what this flight might look like, check the seat maps for the corresponding flights on Tuesdays between now and your flight. For example, tomorrow morning's flight is almost full, and it's still 10 hours until departure).
The ExpertFlyer free tier offers seat alerts. You can sign up to get an email when a given seat becomes available.
Not that they're allowed to share. And, this far in advance of the flight, it wouldn't do you any good anyway. Whatever the load is now, it'll be a lot heavier in a month.
Sure, that's a great tactic. It's a great way to meet new and interesting people, none of whom will like you: your seat mates, who know that the seat next to them is supposed to be free, and the flight attendant who escorts you back to your ticketed seat when the seatmap she's carrying on her app doesn't match where people are actually sitting.
If the seat assignment isn't worth C$22 or C$39 to you, that's fine -- that's your right, and nobody's going to question your choice. But, the consequence of that is that you may end up with a bad seat.
(As a way to judge what this flight might look like, check the seat maps for the corresponding flights on Tuesdays between now and your flight. For example, tomorrow morning's flight is almost full, and it's still 10 hours until departure).
The ExpertFlyer free tier offers seat alerts. You can sign up to get an email when a given seat becomes available.
I just started a subscription to ExpertFlyer. I'll have to read up on how to do this. If you're telling me that tomorrow's flight is almost full and that's the trend, then yea I might have no choice but to pony up the money. One way or another, I'm not going to sit in the middle seat for 2.5 hours.
Aug 13, 2019, 3:24 am
#363
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: HND, NRT
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No one wants to sit in a middle seat for 2.5 hours but most of us have experienced worse. If you want a(n almost*) guaranteed seat, you'll have to pay for it.
(*Seat assignments are never guaranteed. If, however, they move you from an E+ or preferred seat into a regular seat, you'll get a refund of the fare difference. You'll probably need to contact them about it. Be sure you save (screen shot?) your boarding pass with the new seat assignment because you might need it to prove you were moved.)
Aug 13, 2019, 11:54 am
#364
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Frequent travelers have the United app on their phone and we can see what seats are assigned on the map on the app, even after the door has closed. I use the map to decide whether or not to leave stuff on the middle seat. I don't if it's taken.
No one wants to sit in a middle seat for 2.5 hours but most of us have experienced worse. If you want a(n almost*) guaranteed seat, you'll have to pay for it.
(*Seat assignments are never guaranteed. If, however, they move you from an E+ or preferred seat into a regular seat, you'll get a refund of the fare difference. You'll probably need to contact them about it. Be sure you save (screen shot?) your boarding pass with the new seat assignment because you might need it to prove you were moved.)
No one wants to sit in a middle seat for 2.5 hours but most of us have experienced worse. If you want a(n almost*) guaranteed seat, you'll have to pay for it.
(*Seat assignments are never guaranteed. If, however, they move you from an E+ or preferred seat into a regular seat, you'll get a refund of the fare difference. You'll probably need to contact them about it. Be sure you save (screen shot?) your boarding pass with the new seat assignment because you might need it to prove you were moved.)
Actually, I've experienced worse, but to be clear, I'm not trying to start a competition with anyone over this. When I was a kid, I sat in the middle seat on a CA flight over the Pacific Ocean. That was like 11 hours. I don't ever want to do that again.
Thx for the information bro.
Aug 13, 2019, 12:06 pm
#365
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
Everyone can see the seat map on the app, yes; at many airports, they also have a seat map image on the video display boards (rotating with other content).
Feb 23, 2020, 6:42 pm
#366
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Will UA automatically assign a middle seat?
I just bought a ticket with UA to LGA with departure at T-72. Fortunately I was able to select a window seat on all of my flights except for one, UA406. There are no complimentary seats available for me to pick. There was a message telling me that a seat will be automatically assigned to me on the day of departure. The only seats available are E+, which is US$77. The price seems a bit high for a 3.5 hour flight. So what's going to happen? You guys think the odds are high that I'll get a middle seat on the last outbound segment?
It's off-topic, but I'm *G through OZ. Will I be able to access the UA Club at DEN?
It's off-topic, but I'm *G through OZ. Will I be able to access the UA Club at DEN?
Feb 23, 2020, 6:52 pm
#367
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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I just bought a ticket with UA to LGA with departure at T-72. Fortunately I was able to select a window seat on all of my flights except for one, UA406. There are no complimentary seats available for me to pick. There was a message telling me that a seat will be automatically assigned to me on the day of departure. ...
Yes
Feb 23, 2020, 6:57 pm
#368
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Thank you! Is the seat map at the time of booking accurate?
Feb 23, 2020, 7:01 pm
#369
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,380
it is up-to-date/live, but there may be seats blocked off for various reasons
you can use services like ExpertFlyer (free for seat alerts) to help alert you, or keep checking often/at T-24 or T-1
if it's T-72, you can use the UA.com's flight status to see seat map, should match what you see in the manage-reservations/seat-selection pages
you can use services like ExpertFlyer (free for seat alerts) to help alert you, or keep checking often/at T-24 or T-1
if it's T-72, you can use the UA.com's flight status to see seat map, should match what you see in the manage-reservations/seat-selection pages
Feb 23, 2020, 11:07 pm
#370
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Not sure what is meant by accurate
-- not everyone has selected or been assigned a seat
-- some with E- seat assignment will change to E+
-- some seats are blocked for passengers with mobility issues (these if not booked with be released at T-24
-- some seats in E- may be blocked for family seating
-- not everyone has selected or been assigned a seat
-- some with E- seat assignment will change to E+
-- some seats are blocked for passengers with mobility issues (these if not booked with be released at T-24
-- some seats in E- may be blocked for family seating
Aug 8, 2020, 4:26 pm
#371
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Francisco Penninsula
Programs: Bear Backers
Posts: 931
Did you book towards the end of the cabin?
PP has only 4 seats taken on the seat map if that’s any indication. And yes, we’re waiting it out. I already booked two XN seats in Eco+, in the hopes that Y stays somewhat empty so we can just stretch out on a whole seat row. Figured that may not be possible in PP.
Aug 8, 2020, 4:35 pm
#372
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Socal
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Posts: 207
Aug 8, 2020, 4:57 pm
#373
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I do also wonder if they are taking social distancing into account now when they can. If they would seat standbys/BE in more empty rows wherever it is when possible vs. front to back.
Dec 30, 2020, 4:15 pm
#374
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: AA Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Silver
Posts: 38
Flying to DEN on Jan 1 on a flight that doesn't show any seats available except for comfort plus. What are the chances gate agent will move us there for free or will allow people to spread out once they are on board? Seats are $100/each and I'll be pretty pissed if i buy them and they move everybody else to them for free. Any idea on how lenient they are right now?
Dec 30, 2020, 4:34 pm
#375
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
Flying to DEN on Jan 1 on a flight that doesn't show any seats available except for comfort plus. What are the chances gate agent will move us there for free or will allow people to spread out once they are on board? Seats are $100/each and I'll be pretty pissed if i buy them and they move everybody else to them for free. Any idea on how lenient they are right now?
Reports are FAs are generally protecting E+. Without UA status (or occasionally *A status), free gate assignments will not happen unless E- is booked solid. Then the overflow will get E+ for free.
However, UA Silver presently in E- will be allowed to select E+ for free at check-in (other elites can do this at booking). So any UA Silvers will move and that may free up E- space for non-elites or those not willing to purchase.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 30, 2020 at 4:40 pm