Sep 21, 2017, 9:00 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Economy Plus subscriptions
E+ subscriptions are available in various packages
Key T&Cs
Additional key points
What will happen with a reservation that occurs after the E+ subscription expires? Will my E+ seat assignment be changed?
-- The E+ selection can only me made if the travel is within subscription period
Can I have an E+ subscription but credit my flights to a different *A program?
Yes, but it will take some effort. If you remove your MP account from the reservations and there is any change in aircraft you may lose your E+ seat assignment. Best to wait until you have checked-in and have your BP. If you have multiple segments, it can get tedious to switch the program account multiple times. There is a small risk if you have a problem changing accounts, the flight credit might go to UA.
E+ subscriptions are available in various packages
- Number of travelers who will receive the benefits of the subscription
- Subscriber-only
- Subscriber and one companion
- Subscriber and eight companions
- Region
- Continental United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii)
- North and Central America
- Intra-Asia and Oceania (excludes flights from Honolulu to Guam)
- Global
Key T&Cs
- Subscriptions are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Subscriptions will expire on the date indicated on the term at purchase of the subscription.
- Economy Plus is offered on select flights operated by United and United Express.
- Economy Plus seat requests and specific seat assignments are not guaranteed.
- Customers who are traveling on a Basic Economy ticket are not eligible to receive Economy Plus subscription benefits.
- Subscriptions may be customized to benefit additional travelers on the same reservation as the subscriber. Travelers not covered by the subscription benefits are subject to additional charges.
- Flights must be scheduled to depart within the subscription period.
- The subscriber’s MileagePlus number must be included in the reservation in order to receive the subscription benefits.
- Subscriptions may be upgraded at any time.
- Upgraded subscriptions are valid for one year from the time of upgrade.
- Any unused value from the previous subscription will be applied to the upgrade price.
- Subscriptions can be renewed and can be set-up for auto-renewal
Additional key points
- E+ subscription allows selection of E+ seats at the time of booking (Same as UA Gold and higher elites -- UA Silver do not have access until check-in)
- Subscription applies to individual segments, so if a segment of your itinerary is in a covered region, that segment is eligible. Segments outside your purchased region are not eligible.
- E+ access subscription only applies to UA/UX operated flights. Does not provide any benefit on partner flights.
- There is no requirement that it must be a UA-issued ticket (016). There are successful reports for bookings on non-016 / UA tickets.
- E+ subscription applies to award and paid flights (but not Basic Economy fares)
- Coverage for additional travelers (if purchased) only applies to those on the same PNR {but you can try calling -- might get lucky}
- An E+ access subscription does not provide other benefits like premier access (check-in, security or boarding)
- If upgraded, there is no E+ refund for that segment (unlike purchasing individual E+ segment access)
- The purchase price of the E+ subscription qualifies for PQDs and will credit in the year of the purchaseThe recipient of an Economy Plus gift subscription is given PQD credit for the price of the subscription purchase when the subscription is activated.
What will happen with a reservation that occurs after the E+ subscription expires? Will my E+ seat assignment be changed?
-- The E+ selection can only me made if the travel is within subscription period
Can I have an E+ subscription but credit my flights to a different *A program?
Yes, but it will take some effort. If you remove your MP account from the reservations and there is any change in aircraft you may lose your E+ seat assignment. Best to wait until you have checked-in and have your BP. If you have multiple segments, it can get tedious to switch the program account multiple times. There is a small risk if you have a problem changing accounts, the flight credit might go to UA.
Economy Plus Subscriptions -- Q&A, issues, ....
Oct 1, 2016, 1:45 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: former {UA 1k // SPG Gold, HHonors Silver}, now starting up again
Posts: 298
E+ subscription - how close to flight can you buy?
I'm flying UA SFO-HND rt in Nov on 777, we are family of 4, no status.
It's cheaper to buy E+ global subscription for the family than to do E+ individually at the rates they are currently offering.
However, I know a lot can change between now and flight time depending on flight occupancy (if empty we might not need E+) and upgrade offers at checkin.
How close to the actual flight would I need to make a decision about getting and activating the subscription so that I could use it for the flight? Could I do it at the gate for example?
It's cheaper to buy E+ global subscription for the family than to do E+ individually at the rates they are currently offering.
However, I know a lot can change between now and flight time depending on flight occupancy (if empty we might not need E+) and upgrade offers at checkin.
How close to the actual flight would I need to make a decision about getting and activating the subscription so that I could use it for the flight? Could I do it at the gate for example?
Oct 1, 2016, 2:04 pm
#32
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 1,478
Don't know how late you can wait to activate E+ subscription. But put this under consideration about holding off, you may not able to get four seats next to each other. Or worse, only individual middle seats will be available.
Dec 15, 2016, 11:47 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Posts: 2,731
I have the same question--actually, I was wondering if buying the subscription will even do you any good after you bought the tickets (it sounds like it will, but I find United's wording ambiguous).
So, bmir, what happened?
So, bmir, what happened?
Dec 15, 2016, 11:58 pm
#34
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,922
Yes purchasing afterwards works. Once you become eligible for E+ access (purchased, status change, ...) you can select your E+ seating.
Feb 10, 2017, 5:43 pm
#37
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: KOA
Programs: UA Gold, National Exec
Posts: 63
Should I buy an E+ subscription???
Lost my many years of UA Gold Status after illness and no flying AT ALL in 2016. 
Back to traveling now in 2017 and wondering what your thoughts are on E+ subscriptions?
Also: My home airport is KOA. Which subscription do I need to buy to get E+ when traveling from Hawaii to the mainland and back again? I usually take direct flights from KOA-LAX.
I have a UA Club Card so my baggage is taken care of.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Back to traveling now in 2017 and wondering what your thoughts are on E+ subscriptions?
Also: My home airport is KOA. Which subscription do I need to buy to get E+ when traveling from Hawaii to the mainland and back again? I usually take direct flights from KOA-LAX.
I have a UA Club Card so my baggage is taken care of.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Feb 10, 2017, 5:49 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,696
As it clearly says on https://www.united.com/web/en-US/app.../offerSep.aspx you need the $599 north¢ral america one.
Mar 13, 2017, 7:21 pm
#40
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Premier Silver
Posts: 44
Economy plus subscription and award travel
Hi,
I was wondering if anybody had experience with using their economy plus subscription to select an economy plus seat while on an award ticket. Is this allowed? I know a basic economy fare doesn't allow for you to use the subscription per the FAQ on the United website, but no mention on award travel. Thanks in advance for the help.
I was wondering if anybody had experience with using their economy plus subscription to select an economy plus seat while on an award ticket. Is this allowed? I know a basic economy fare doesn't allow for you to use the subscription per the FAQ on the United website, but no mention on award travel. Thanks in advance for the help.
Last edited by semifrequentflyer; Mar 13, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Apr 10, 2017, 10:59 am
#42
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New England
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 519
I have this same situation. No status, family taking trip, cheaper to buy the subscription.
I didn't see a response to how soon this is activated after purchasing, I'd like to think immediate, does anyone know?
Second question, is there a point at which some groups can pick E+ for free? E.g. 24 before departure? I'll want to make my purchase and grab seats before that point in time.
Thanks
I didn't see a response to how soon this is activated after purchasing, I'd like to think immediate, does anyone know?
Second question, is there a point at which some groups can pick E+ for free? E.g. 24 before departure? I'll want to make my purchase and grab seats before that point in time.
Thanks
Apr 10, 2017, 3:25 pm
#43
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: HND, NRT
Programs: UA Gold (1K 2016–2023 by miracle extensions; RIP 1K status), 1MM
Posts: 220
Yes. 24 hours before the flight, those with Silver status can select E+ for free when they check in. And those who know what they're doing, check in at exactly T-24 to get decent seats.
I have this same situation. No status, family taking trip, cheaper to buy the subscription.
I didn't see a response to how soon this is activated after purchasing, I'd like to think immediate, does anyone know?
Second question, is there a point at which some groups can pick E+ for free? E.g. 24 before departure? I'll want to make my purchase and grab seats before that point in time.
Thanks
I didn't see a response to how soon this is activated after purchasing, I'd like to think immediate, does anyone know?
Second question, is there a point at which some groups can pick E+ for free? E.g. 24 before departure? I'll want to make my purchase and grab seats before that point in time.
Thanks
Apr 10, 2017, 8:13 pm
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 12,602
I have this same situation. No status, family taking trip, cheaper to buy the subscription.
I didn't see a response to how soon this is activated after purchasing, I'd like to think immediate, does anyone know?
Second question, is there a point at which some groups can pick E+ for free? E.g. 24 before departure? I'll want to make my purchase and grab seats before that point in time.
I didn't see a response to how soon this is activated after purchasing, I'd like to think immediate, does anyone know?
Second question, is there a point at which some groups can pick E+ for free? E.g. 24 before departure? I'll want to make my purchase and grab seats before that point in time.
If you're not going to fly United a lot, you can also just pay for E+ per flight. If you're going to use it enough that it's worth it, you'll probably make it to Silver and then it's not worth renewing - I was Silver for several years and except for tickets purchased less than 24 hours before departure I don't think I ever failed to get an E+ aisle.
Apr 20, 2017, 8:40 am
#45
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New England
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 519
Following up on this - I purchased the subscription online yesterday and the benefits were immediately available to me.
I bought the international version for me and up to 8 others on the same reservation - cost $1099. To move myself, DW, DD to exit row on our coming BOS-SNA trip would have been just under $1200. I know I will benefit from the subscription on our Aruba trip next spring, at the very least. So it was a good deal for me.
I bought the international version for me and up to 8 others on the same reservation - cost $1099. To move myself, DW, DD to exit row on our coming BOS-SNA trip would have been just under $1200. I know I will benefit from the subscription on our Aruba trip next spring, at the very least. So it was a good deal for me.