UA's Boarding Process with WILMA now - Inconsistent process / PreBoarding issues
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sunshine State
Programs: UA2MM AND 1K, HYATT GLOBALIST, AVIS PRES CLUB.
Posts: 97
UA's Boarding Process with WILMA now - Inconsistent process / PreBoarding issues
I flew two segments yesterday, February 1st, and noticed the same same changes on both, CUN-IAH and IAH-MCO.
1. In both CUN and IAH, all pre-boards were instructed to board at the same time, in any order they chose. This included GS, 1K, Military, etc.
2. Pre-departure beverages on both, with any choice. Not just water and sparkling wine.
Twice cannot be a coincidence. Any official news on this!
1. In both CUN and IAH, all pre-boards were instructed to board at the same time, in any order they chose. This included GS, 1K, Military, etc.
2. Pre-departure beverages on both, with any choice. Not just water and sparkling wine.
Twice cannot be a coincidence. Any official news on this!
#2
Moderator: United Airlines
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#3
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I expect that was based on a very low number of GS and 1K. You couldn't do that on many SFO flights, you'd have 30 people rushing to preboard all at once.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Ok just curious, is 1K boarding that complicated? I just got off UA1715 MCO-ORD and when we were boarding, the gate agent called up 1Ks to board and then said we are only boarding Premier 1K members that is if you earned MileagePlus Premier 1K status you are welcome to board, this DOES NOT include Group 1. I thought she was very clear and me being in Group 1 wasnt confused at all (I also know the whole 1K preboard situation regardless). But here comes one guy who tries to come up and the gate agent looked at his boarding pass and was like no youre Group 1 you need to wait. Then another dude anxiously came up and was like Premier 1K? Gate agent was like yes, she looks at his BP and is like no youre Group 3. Im just like can yall not listen or is this a classic case of people checking all of their common sense to their final destination when they get to the airport or both. Gaaaaaaaah
PS: Kudos to the gate agent for properly enforcing the boarding process, I love when they do that.
PS: Kudos to the gate agent for properly enforcing the boarding process, I love when they do that.
#5
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Bingo. People either dont listen, or dont care and think they can push in front of everyone else
#6
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#7
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It's been said time and time again, rename group 1 to group 2 and +1 all the subsequent ones. It's been happening far too long and that might be an easy fix.
#8
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Join Date: Jun 2005
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It would be, if UA hadn't decided to monetize the boarding experience. If group 1 goes away/is replaced by all of the people who currently board ahead of Group 1, UA probably won't make as much $$ selling the "premier" boarding experience.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
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I don't know... AA lumps everyone except CK holders into numbered groups and doesn't seem to have problems (though I fly AA very infrequently so that sample size may lead to erroneous conclusions). Maybe change the preboards into lettered groups so that group 1 stays group 1 (Now boarding group X...Y...Z...1...2...3...4...5...)
#10
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 13
Boarding Groups for Mixed Cabin Flights
We have my parents booked on United Airlines for their 50th (now 52nd due to Covid) anniversary trip. They are 72. They have never flown United, so they have no status. We are are all meeting up in Phoenix for a trip to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. I was able to upgrade one leg each way to first class, the other 2 legs are economy plus. I contacted United to find out what boarding group they can expect on the 2 non-first class legs. I got 2 different answers. One rep said group 8 on the non-first class legs. The other rep said the boarding group is decided by the highest class of service on the day of flight, so group 1 on all legs.
Anyone know which is correct? Upgrading the 2 legs from Econ plus to first is over $2100 which is more than I can afford. I could buy Premium Access for the 2 non-first legs, but if they already get group 1 it’s a waste of money. $180
Here is their intinerary:
BDL-ORD First Class
ORD-PHX Econ Plus
PHX-ORD Econ Plus
ORD-BDL First
Mom broke her back 5 years ago and moves kind of slow, can they request pre-boarding on the 2 Econ Plus legs?
This trip is in April.
Thanks for your input!
Anyone know which is correct? Upgrading the 2 legs from Econ plus to first is over $2100 which is more than I can afford. I could buy Premium Access for the 2 non-first legs, but if they already get group 1 it’s a waste of money. $180
Here is their intinerary:
BDL-ORD First Class
ORD-PHX Econ Plus
PHX-ORD Econ Plus
ORD-BDL First
Mom broke her back 5 years ago and moves kind of slow, can they request pre-boarding on the 2 Econ Plus legs?
This trip is in April.
Thanks for your input!
#11
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Quite puzzled by the "group 8" response. The highest group number is 5. Maybe this rep transferred from AA recently.
From memory I believe second rep is correct.
But in any case, your mother seems like a perfect candidate for disabilities / extra time-needs preboarding. No need to request, just go when GA calls for them (right after military).
From memory I believe second rep is correct.
But in any case, your mother seems like a perfect candidate for disabilities / extra time-needs preboarding. No need to request, just go when GA calls for them (right after military).
#12
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Montebello, CA, USA
Posts: 2,412
This, but pre-board on all segments. Why wait for first class if you genuinely need extra time?
#13
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: CO hublette
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Quite puzzled by the "group 8" response. The highest group number is 5. Maybe this rep transferred from AA recently.
From memory I believe second rep is correct.
But in any case, your mother seems like a perfect candidate for disabilities / extra time-needs preboarding. No need to request, just go when GA calls for them (right after military).
From memory I believe second rep is correct.
But in any case, your mother seems like a perfect candidate for disabilities / extra time-needs preboarding. No need to request, just go when GA calls for them (right after military).
those needing extra time
military
GS
Families with under 2
1K
for preboarding.
that is why so many people give different answers.😀
Come to think of it, “group 8” could be right. 5 preboards and then group 3 for E+?
Either way, they should preboard with those needing extra time.
Last edited by trm2; Feb 19, 2022 at 12:56 pm
#14
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,096
it is
those needing extra time
military
GS
Families with under 2
1K
for preboarding.
that is why so many people give different answers.😀
Come to think of it, group 8 could be right. 5 preboards and then group 3 for E+?
Either way, they should preboard with those needing extra time.
those needing extra time
military
GS
Families with under 2
1K
for preboarding.
that is why so many people give different answers.😀
Come to think of it, group 8 could be right. 5 preboards and then group 3 for E+?
Either way, they should preboard with those needing extra time.
I also thought about maybe the rep is counting all preboards as individual groups, as some here do. But that is definitely confusing to the inexperienced traveler.
#15
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
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Posts: 6,243
Based on my past experience, your parents will get 2 different boarding groups - group 1 for flights in first class, and group 3 or 4 depending on whether they are sitting in a window or middle/aisle seat. At the same time, your parents are certainly eligible to board during pre-boarding during the call of customers with disability.