Last edit by: Ari
As of Feb. 5, only Global Services are able to select FC seats. The ability for 1K to reserve seats was removed. Existing 1K seat selections appear to be kept. In June 2019, the advance access for 1Ks on J/C/D fares was restored. [It appears this is not the case.]
Ex-GlobalFirst seats are selectable for all confirmed business class passengers at check in, even if >24 hrs from flight with GF seats (in the case of positioning flights).
Everything You Wanted to Know About Where to Sit on a pmUA 3-Cabin 777 Version 2
Ex-GlobalFirst seats are selectable for all confirmed business class passengers at check in, even if >24 hrs from flight with GF seats (in the case of positioning flights).
Everything You Wanted to Know About Where to Sit on a pmUA 3-Cabin 777 Version 2
3-class F seat now sold as Domestic F/Polaris Bus,GS or J/C/D 1K? may select pre-OLCI
#376
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: AA PPro, TP Gold, UA Silver, Bonvoy/Hilton Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 296
I really, really, really hope that they do the fair thing; although I can already see them clearing non-revs in the FC seats rather than go through the pain of finding 1Ks and assigning them the seats.
#377
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,953
#378
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,580
I would be very surprized if there were not more than 8 GS in business on any of these old 3-class flights -- especially as folks are seeking them and many already taken by 1Ks. Additionally, the number of available aircraft is decreasing -- more than 1/2 have been converting, with just 15 ? remaining and all will be gone by later this year, this will increase the pressure that the GS demand will fill these seats with some GS left in business.
It was a nice opportunity for 1Ks for a while, but the GS demand alone will likely be enough to fill all the seats going forward.
It was a nice opportunity for 1Ks for a while, but the GS demand alone will likely be enough to fill all the seats going forward.
#379
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 83
Selected a former Polaris FC seat last week as 1K. Probably will never again have the opportunity to fly in those seats.
#380
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,253
On my last two flights on an ITPE bird TATL (December 2018), there were less than 8 GS on each flight. As others have said, what a stupid thing for UA to do to 1K members.
#381
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: seat 9A
Programs: UA 1K, Flying Blue Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriot Plat (TWA / NWA - million miler)
Posts: 54
I will fly way out of my way to avoid this old configuration. UA FC seat is crappy! and overhead space in that cabin is normally full of crew bags! I did one of the last FC flights from Seoul to SFO, and was majorly disappointed. Particularly given that i could have used SIA suites for nearly the same price at a less convenient time.
#382
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,872
It would be nice if they at least honor our previous seat assignments in case the seatmaps go haywire again and we need to reselect.
I’m so paranoid about getting bumped back to a middle seat I’m wondering if it’s better just to move back to the business cabin now while there are still a couple windows/aisles left.
I’m so paranoid about getting bumped back to a middle seat I’m wondering if it’s better just to move back to the business cabin now while there are still a couple windows/aisles left.
#383
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 83
I will fly way out of my way to avoid this old configuration. UA FC seat is crappy! and overhead space in that cabin is normally full of crew bags! I did one of the last FC flights from Seoul to SFO, and was majorly disappointed. Particularly given that i could have used SIA suites for nearly the same price at a less convenient time.
#384
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
It would be nice if they at least honor our previous seat assignments in case the seatmaps go haywire again and we need to reselect.
Im so paranoid about getting bumped back to a middle seat Im wondering if its better just to move back to the business cabin now while there are still a couple windows/aisles left.
Im so paranoid about getting bumped back to a middle seat Im wondering if its better just to move back to the business cabin now while there are still a couple windows/aisles left.
They are always moving the goalposts. Last year we had to worry for two months if United would remove the 2K seat from my wife as she was only Platinum. Ended up with a Polarized plane. Now, that she got to 1K, we have to worry for two months for our seats. If we lose our seats, it will be really upsetting if they give them to passengers who are not GS.
#385
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,354
It would be nice if they at least honor our previous seat assignments in case the seatmaps go haywire again and we need to reselect.
Im so paranoid about getting bumped back to a middle seat Im wondering if its better just to move back to the business cabin now while there are still a couple windows/aisles left.
Im so paranoid about getting bumped back to a middle seat Im wondering if its better just to move back to the business cabin now while there are still a couple windows/aisles left.
#386
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,166
#387
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Outside of Cleveland Ohio
Programs: UA *G. DL ̶G̶O̶L̶D̶ Member, Hilton/SPG Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 362
It would be nice if they at least honor our previous seat assignments in case the seatmaps go haywire again and we need to reselect.
Im so paranoid about getting bumped back to a middle seat Im wondering if its better just to move back to the business cabin now while there are still a couple windows/aisles left.
Im so paranoid about getting bumped back to a middle seat Im wondering if its better just to move back to the business cabin now while there are still a couple windows/aisles left.
#388
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,872
A swap to Polaris would be great. It's the double swap or the seat maps suddenly disappearing (which happened TWICE already!).
#389
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
I imagine the change came because of GS (who are even more loyal/high spending than 1K) complaining about not being able to get a FC seat selection after they were all consumed by 1Kers. It was a nice perk for those who were able to take advantage of it, its absence doesn't diminish any of the other perks that were promised.
Access to the F cabin used to an amenity (rather than a perk). It devolved from an amenity to a mere perk when they eliminated the ability use a GPU or simply purchase access to that cabin. Now that amenity is no longer available and the perk has been taken away. The final elimination of the F cabin is a huge loss (though maybe only for for a very small subset of travelers who used to fly in it all the time).
I disagree with the sentiment that as an unpublished benefit, 1K should be grateful for the time that UA allowed us to select those seats in the first place and not despair about elimination of access to the cabin.
#390
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,166
FWIW there have been plenty of seats available for selection since the policy change on most routes ex-ORD, only those seats were selectable in advance by those 1K/GS who book confirmed J rather than those confirm in Y and play the upgrade lottery (GS included). This change will likely most benefit those GS who book Y and then waitlist upgrades.
Access to the F cabin used to an amenity (rather than a perk). It devolved from an amenity to a mere perk when they eliminated the ability use a GPU or simply purchase access to that cabin. Now that amenity is no longer available and the perk has been taken away. The final elimination of the F cabin is a huge loss (though maybe only for for a very small subset of travelers who used to fly in it all the time).
I disagree with the sentiment that as an unpublished benefit, 1K should be grateful for the time that UA allowed us to select those seats in the first place and not despair about elimination of access to the cabin.
Access to the F cabin used to an amenity (rather than a perk). It devolved from an amenity to a mere perk when they eliminated the ability use a GPU or simply purchase access to that cabin. Now that amenity is no longer available and the perk has been taken away. The final elimination of the F cabin is a huge loss (though maybe only for for a very small subset of travelers who used to fly in it all the time).
I disagree with the sentiment that as an unpublished benefit, 1K should be grateful for the time that UA allowed us to select those seats in the first place and not despair about elimination of access to the cabin.
I doubt United would have gone to the trouble of pushing out a change to policy like this (and rather abruptly after publicly announcing 1Ks would get to select seats in those cabins) if there hadn't been issues with higher level elites (GS) not being able to select them. The way I read it, flights that don't fill the former GF cabin with GS will still allow 1K to change into them but UA wants to give first priority to GS. I don't have a problem with that.