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?
Jan 6, 2021, 9:42 am
#376
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 754
UA and empty Economyplus seating
I am looking at a 752 seat map for UA on what will be my first flight in a year. E+, where I am sitting, is almost empty, whereas the back of the plane is almost full. Will UA relocate passengers from the back of the plane to E+ at or after boarding for more social distancing? Curiously, someone selected a seat in E+ right next to me. Or is that UA blocking seats?
Jan 6, 2021, 9:52 am
#377
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
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Posts: 9,451
I am looking at a 752 seat map for UA on what will be my first flight in a year. E+, where I am sitting, is almost empty, whereas the back of the plane is almost full. Will UA relocate passengers from the back of the plane to E+ at or after boarding for more social distancing? Curiously, someone selected a seat in E+ right next to me. Or is that UA blocking seats?
Jan 6, 2021, 10:03 am
#378
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,405
Not to mention any standard economy passenger without a seat assignment. Once the regular economy seats fill up, it's common for passengers just to take their chances with whatever seat UA assigns, rather than paying for E+.
Jan 6, 2021, 10:09 am
#379
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Location: Honolulu Harbor
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Posts: 15,019
Jan 6, 2021, 10:58 am
#380
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
Or someone trying to game you into moving out of his/her preferred row!
Mar 1, 2021, 11:28 am
#382
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: ORD/MDW
Posts: 19
Seat Assignments when Complimentary Seats are Unavailable
Flying ORD > DTW on an E175 this week and booking partner and myself on separate PNRs (1 miles, 1 cash).
No status so I’m not eligible for free E+ or preferred seats. All complimentary seats are unavailable. Wondering how United will handle this at checkin, and anything I can do to maximize chances of us sitting together. It’s a 40 minute flight so not a huge deal and not willing to buy seats for that but curious if there’s a strategy to get us seats together without purchasing them. It feels like being BE punished even though it’s a regular Economy ticket. Does United assign passengers E+/ exit row at checkin? Or should I try to get us on the same PNR? Any insight appreciated.
No status so I’m not eligible for free E+ or preferred seats. All complimentary seats are unavailable. Wondering how United will handle this at checkin, and anything I can do to maximize chances of us sitting together. It’s a 40 minute flight so not a huge deal and not willing to buy seats for that but curious if there’s a strategy to get us seats together without purchasing them. It feels like being BE punished even though it’s a regular Economy ticket. Does United assign passengers E+/ exit row at checkin? Or should I try to get us on the same PNR? Any insight appreciated.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 1, 2021 at 11:41 am Reason: Moved to master thread
Mar 1, 2021, 11:40 am
#383
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
No status so I’m not eligible for free E+ or preferred seats. All complimentary seats are unavailable. Wondering how United will handle this at checkin, and anything I can do to maximize chances of us sitting together. It’s a 40 minute flight so not a huge deal and not willing to buy seats for that but curious if there’s a strategy to get us seats together without purchasing them. It feels like being BE punished even though it’s a regular Economy ticket. Does United assign passengers E+/ exit row at checkin? ...
Originally Posted by Wiki
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
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.
- 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,
That will increase the chances but will not guarantee.
A key issue is the seatmap will change as check-in starts -- Silver's may move to E+, other elites may upgrade. You will be handled after those occur and it may be in E+ (at no cost to you) or it may be E-
Mar 1, 2021, 11:50 am
#384
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
WineCountryUA is right on the money, except (and this is just to expend on the comment, not correct) since it is a paid ticket and a award ticket it is not possible to be on the same PNR
As you mention, is a relatively short flight and since all economy is 2x2 seating, its pretty likely you will get seated together (or should be able to arrange a swap)
As you mention, is a relatively short flight and since all economy is 2x2 seating, its pretty likely you will get seated together (or should be able to arrange a swap)
Jun 17, 2021, 11:33 pm
#386
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 33
Is it a good strategy to avoid picking a seat?
I am traveling next month as a couple in a 767 (2, 3, 2) no status. Obviously getting one of the 2s would be ideal.
Most of the 2s seem to be E+ seats that cost about $100, and almost all of them are available. There are only two free seats left in the plane, aisles in the 3s though not in the same row.
I am thinking if I decline to choose a seat , there is a decent chance we may get one of the 2s- otherwise if I choose the two seats away from each other we are stuck with those.
Thoughts? The gamble is one/both get stuck in the middle and separated, though with only 1/7 seats being middle, the odds are not terrible.
Most of the 2s seem to be E+ seats that cost about $100, and almost all of them are available. There are only two free seats left in the plane, aisles in the 3s though not in the same row.
I am thinking if I decline to choose a seat , there is a decent chance we may get one of the 2s- otherwise if I choose the two seats away from each other we are stuck with those.
Thoughts? The gamble is one/both get stuck in the middle and separated, though with only 1/7 seats being middle, the odds are not terrible.
Jun 18, 2021, 12:45 am
#387
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
...
I am thinking if I decline to choose a seat , there is a decent chance we may get one of the 2s- otherwise if I choose the two seats away from each other we are stuck with those.
Thoughts? The gamble is one/both get stuck in the middle and separated, though with only 1/7 seats being middle, the odds are not terrible.
I am thinking if I decline to choose a seat , there is a decent chance we may get one of the 2s- otherwise if I choose the two seats away from each other we are stuck with those.
Thoughts? The gamble is one/both get stuck in the middle and separated, though with only 1/7 seats being middle, the odds are not terrible.
While it can work, there are many failure modes that may not be obvious. And the downside is middle seat separated from your traveling companion. First the non-E+ section must be full before UA will give E+ away for free. E- seats can open up close to departure
from the thread's wiki
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.
- 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,
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 18, 2021 at 12:52 am Reason: odds of middle seats
Jan 9, 2022, 9:43 am
#389
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 59
I am booking flights roundtrip NYC to Orlando on Presidents day and the flights are all nearly almost full (and united seems to be the main carrier on this route). Traveling will be myself, my wife, and our not quite 2 year old son for whom we will purchase his own seat. Obviously he needs to sit next to one (preferably both) of us. Looking at regular economy tickets the flight to Orlando has only the final row of the plane open as a non-additional paid seat option and the return flight has no open seats that are non-paid options. It seems from reading here that my best bet is to just not choose any seats (which is really my only option for the return flight and doesn't seem to be giving anything up for the flight out either) .. my question is, how can we ensure that we are seated together and is there a risk that they will split us up?
Jan 9, 2022, 9:47 am
#390
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