United's New Boarding Process (with Wiki) [COVID era changes - ended 15 Apr 2021]
May 16, 22, 8:01 am - Wikipost
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29 April 2020
https://hub.united.com/united-corona...ial-distancing
Boarding fewer customers at a time to allow for more distance during the boarding process. Following pre-boarding, we will board back-to-front by rows, but will space out customers to minimize crowding in the gate area and on the jet bridge.
Originally Posted by Repooc17
Domestic F and/or J cabin pax not qualifying for preboard will go right after but before regular boarding from back to front. ...
Source: United Boarding Process New changes (effective 18 Sept 2018)You will see some new boarding lane signs in the gate area that will guide you through the boarding process. There will now be two lanes that are color coded: to begin, Group 1 will board through the blue lane and Group 2 will board through the green lane. The remaining Groups 3-5 will then board through the green lane when called, and Groups 1 and 2 can continue to board through the blue lane.We encourage you to make yourself comfortable while you wait for your group to be called, and we’ll let you know when we’re ready for you to board. Late arriving customers in Groups 1 and 2 are welcome to continue boarding through the blue lane at any time. Boarding groupsPre-boarding
Group 1
Group 2
Groups 3 – 5
* Customers who have purchased a Basic Economy ticket will be in the last boarding group, except for Premier members, Chase Cardmembers of qualifying cards and Star Alliance Gold members, who will still receive their priority boarding.
Originally Posted by JOSECONLSCREW28
There will also be updated boarding times:
757 & Widebody aircraft: 50 min prior to departure 737-800/900 & 737 MAX 40 min prior to departure 737-700 & A319/A320 35 min prior to departure Previous Thread:United's Current Boarding Process (with Wiki) [2016-forward] 
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May 16, 22, 8:29 am
#1216
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Silver (1MM), Marriott Amb (LT Titanium)
Posts: 9,241
Again, this is down to the complete screw up of United's boarding policies in the first place. Most people hear "now pre-boarding for 1Ks" and they think it's Group 1. If United made GS/1K group 1 then current group 1 becomes group 2, etc. There are a million ways to fix this but maybe United just plans to get rid of 1K anyway since there's no such thing as a "hundred thousand miler" any longer for elite status.
Separately, yesterday I flew out of a FL station and the gate agent was VERY clear about pre-boarding and four people right in front of me were denied because they were not 1K. One guy scanned and then the GA asked if he was 1K and the guy said no. GA proceeded to de-board him and told him to go to the back of the group 1 line. Next was another single person who also said he wasn't 1K and got booted before scanning his BP. Finally, a couple right in front of me were trying to board and the agent asked if they were 1K. They had no idea what 1K meant and they were quickly shunned as well. As I got up to the scanner I thanked the agent for being proactive and she rolled her eyes and gave me a smile. As I walked through the door I heard her saying sternly over the loudspeaker, "Folks, if you don't know what 1K is then you aren't 1K. 1K is NOT group 1." Succinct and easy to understand. But admittedly this type of GA is few and far between and it's usually quicker to just let the errant person board who isn't 1K than to take the time to de-board them in the system.
-RM
Separately, yesterday I flew out of a FL station and the gate agent was VERY clear about pre-boarding and four people right in front of me were denied because they were not 1K. One guy scanned and then the GA asked if he was 1K and the guy said no. GA proceeded to de-board him and told him to go to the back of the group 1 line. Next was another single person who also said he wasn't 1K and got booted before scanning his BP. Finally, a couple right in front of me were trying to board and the agent asked if they were 1K. They had no idea what 1K meant and they were quickly shunned as well. As I got up to the scanner I thanked the agent for being proactive and she rolled her eyes and gave me a smile. As I walked through the door I heard her saying sternly over the loudspeaker, "Folks, if you don't know what 1K is then you aren't 1K. 1K is NOT group 1." Succinct and easy to understand. But admittedly this type of GA is few and far between and it's usually quicker to just let the errant person board who isn't 1K than to take the time to de-board them in the system.
-RM
Last edited by RobOnLI; Jul 12, 22 at 9:04 am Reason: Spelling mistake
May 16, 22, 10:51 am
#1217
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Chicago ORD
Programs: AA PLT, Admirals Club, United Club, Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Platinum, Langham Gateway, Avis PC
Posts: 6
Newbie - United Boarding/Overall Travel Tips
Hello All - Im new here so please forgive me if this is in the incorrect location!
Im a longtime elite on AA (EXP and now PLT thanks to pandemic travel restrictions) but am considering making the switch to UA as being a Chicago native their routes are growing quickly and their pricing has been more competitive compared to AA at least for time time being. My question is as a non elite with just the Chase United Club Infinite card ... how is the experience with check in, boarding, etc.
While domestically I do try to purchase first as sadly IMO gone are the days of any meaningful upgrades on AA, I am looking to plan a trip to LHR and would most likely book into Premium Plus on UA. Is the Group 2 boarding for Club cardholders anything decent/do they separate Club Infinite card holders from Explorer card holders or is Group 2 essentially just main cabin boarding at that point.
Dont mean to sound pretentious just trying to understand the UA system after years of only AA.
Any advise is much appreciated!
Im a longtime elite on AA (EXP and now PLT thanks to pandemic travel restrictions) but am considering making the switch to UA as being a Chicago native their routes are growing quickly and their pricing has been more competitive compared to AA at least for time time being. My question is as a non elite with just the Chase United Club Infinite card ... how is the experience with check in, boarding, etc.
While domestically I do try to purchase first as sadly IMO gone are the days of any meaningful upgrades on AA, I am looking to plan a trip to LHR and would most likely book into Premium Plus on UA. Is the Group 2 boarding for Club cardholders anything decent/do they separate Club Infinite card holders from Explorer card holders or is Group 2 essentially just main cabin boarding at that point.
Dont mean to sound pretentious just trying to understand the UA system after years of only AA.
Any advise is much appreciated!
May 16, 22, 11:02 am
#1218
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 12,551
Originally Posted by worldflyer2011
...Is the Group 2 boarding for Club cardholders anything decent/do they separate Club Infinite card holders from Explorer card holders or is Group 2 essentially just main cabin boarding at that point....
Edit: Gold are in BG1
Jun 16, 22, 4:25 pm
#1221
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 14,101
Originally Posted by Cowtikk
I'm flying SFO > EWR > LHR next month. SFO>EWR is in Economy, EWR>LHR is in Polaris. What boarding group will I be in at SFO?
David
Jun 16, 22, 4:45 pm
#1222
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: California
Posts: 38
Originally Posted by DELee
What is your current MileagePlus status? Will your status change between now and the flights next month?
David
David
Jun 16, 22, 5:38 pm
#1223
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 12,551
Originally Posted by Cowtikk
I'm flying SFO > EWR > LHR next month. SFO>EWR is in Economy, EWR>LHR is in Polaris. What boarding group will I be in at SFO?
Jul 9, 22, 2:41 pm
#1224
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, DL Platinum, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium + LT Silver, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,141
When GAs don't enforce boarding policy, you'd get something like 30+ pax before traveling with kids under 2. If you believe all those are eligible preboarders, then I have a bridge to sell you. This is ex-MSY.
Jul 9, 22, 2:54 pm
#1225
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX/SFO
Programs: AA EXP; AS 75K; WN A List; UA 1K 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott AMB; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 50,373
At PHX on Thursday morning, GA ran through the pre-boarding groups super fast. This worked great. The only pre-boarders were me and one other 1K who was ready and waiting to go immediately when called.
Jul 9, 22, 3:13 pm
#1226
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,643
Originally Posted by Repooc17
When GAs don't enforce boarding policy, you'd get something like 30+ pax before traveling with kids under 2. If you believe all those are eligible preboarders, then I have a bridge to sell you. This is ex-MSY.
BTW, that bridge that you have to sell, would that be the CCC or the Huey P?
Jul 9, 22, 3:17 pm
#1227
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA Platinum/1MM, AA PPro, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,338
Originally Posted by Cowtikk
No status on United. It could change if I did a status match but I have no other plans to fly United so don’t think it’s worth it
Originally Posted by IAH-OIL-TRASH
I think Polaris EWR-LHR will give you BG1 the whole way.
Jul 9, 22, 4:30 pm
#1228
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 3,285
In 4 segments this week only one (ex-CLE on 04JUL) actually used the correct order -- but skipped GS (presumably because there were none) and inserted "We'd now like to invite both of our two Premier 1Ks to pre-board. You know who you are." (not sure the second sentence was said with the PA mic keyed 
) the rest of the flights and generally over the past 4 weeks or so boarding has been keeping me on my toes -- either picking the order like bingo numbers -- or running all of the groups into a single, no-breaths-taken, announcement.
) the rest of the flights and generally over the past 4 weeks or so boarding has been keeping me on my toes -- either picking the order like bingo numbers -- or running all of the groups into a single, no-breaths-taken, announcement.
Jul 11, 22, 9:23 am
#1229
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Doylestown/Charlotte
Programs: UAL GS & Million M; Delta Gold Medallion (2 mio +); American; Hyatt Platinum Passport, Omni Platinum
Posts: 1,316
LIS/EWR today. Boarded “families with small children” first today. Left “small” and”family” undefined. Couple of pretty old kids-10 or 11- and one group of 5 adults with one child boarded first. Then sat on bus for thirty
Jul 11, 22, 2:13 pm
#1230
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: CO Platinum 1K, United 1K, SPG LT Platinum, National Executive Elite, Platinum TSA Hater
Posts: 38,273
Originally Posted by manstein58
LIS/EWR today. Boarded “families with small children” first today. Left “small” and”family” undefined. Couple of pretty old kids-10 or 11- and one group of 5 adults with one child boarded first. Then sat on bus for thirty
